Programmer and thermostat for gravity fed CH and HW system

Better_Days

I have an elderly Camray 2 oil boiler which is reliable and I would like to keep for now.

However the programmer is faulty and needs replacing. I bought a Salus IT500 wireless thermostat and programmer http://www.amazon.co.uk/SALUS-IT500-Internet-Controlled-Thermostat/dp/B00FKRS514/ref=sr_1_1/275-9285564-2024953?ie=UTF8&qid=1413812618&sr=8-1&keywords=salus+it500 but have now discovered it won't work on our gravity HW and pumped CH.

I would very much like a wireless thermostat (the stat is currently in a room where we have a log burner which is a nuisance) but am not sure if it can be done and if it can, with which programmer. Could anyone advise me what I need to look out for when buying a programmer and compatible thermostat so I don't make the same mistake again?

espresso

Why do you believe that it is incompatible with your system?

All that the Salus does it to allow remote control of your system e.g. program the various on times and required temperatures for each day with the ability to remotely override these from your phone etc.

The wiring is simple enough, although if you can't currently control the temp of your gravity fed hot water, this device will not be able to do this either. You do not need a separate programmer with this device.

Better_Days

espresso wrote: »

Why do you believe that it is incompatible with your system?

All that the Salus does it to allow remote control of your system e.g. program the various on times and required temperatures for each day with the ability to remotely override these from your phone etc.

The wiring is simple enough, although if you can't currently control the temp of your gravity fed hot water, this device will not be able to do this either. You do not need a separate programmer with this device.

Well, that's what I thought too!! Many thanks for responding.

However Salus say it is incompatable with our gravity HW system and pumped CH as we don't have an appropriate valve and the installer says because of the location of the pipes he doesn't want to put in a valve.

My husband asked Salus if we could use the IT500 to just control the CH if we put in a valve, and was told they were unable to advise if we could do so (presumably because they cant see the layout of our piping). I was planning to get the installer to put a thermostat on the HW tank anyway.

So I don't know if I should hang on to the IT500 and get in another installer to fit the bloomin thing. Or if it can't be used and I should send it back to Amazon and buy another programmer and stat - hence the OP!

espresso

Better_Days wrote: »

Well, that's what I thought too!! Many thanks for responding.

However Salus say it is incompatable with our gravity HW system and pumped CH as we don't have an appropriate valve and the installer says because of the location of the pipes he doesn't want to put in a valve.

My husband asked Salus if we could use the IT500 to just control the CH if we put in a valve, and was told they were unable to advise if we could do so (presumably because they cant see the layout of our piping). I was planning to get the installer to put a thermostat on the HW tank anyway.

So I don't know if I should hang on to the IT500 and get in another installer to fit the bloomin thing. Or if it can't be used and I should send it back to Amazon and buy another programmer and stat - hence the OP!

Agreed that it is not fully compatible with your particular system because you do not have a motorised valve to control the hot water temp but that doesn't mean that it can't be used.

When you install a programmable thermostat or a wireless programmable thermostat or a remote controlled programmable thermostat like this Salus IT500, you no longer need your programmer, which you state is faulty. I have had a Salus programmable stat for several years, I find it very good and it does save money by setting different temps at different times on different days.

Many people with more expensive Honeywell stats have found that they have just died after a few years! Personally I would not really benefit by having a remote controlled one but I suggest that you discuss it with another heating installer.

Better_Days

Thanks for clarifying further - as you have described is how I understood it.

With regard to the valve - do you know if it is an issue for just the hot water, or do we need a valve putting in for the heating pipes so we can use the IT500?

We have decided to get in another installer, I am not happy (to put it mildly) with the current one. I gave him the IT500 installation instructions last week and asked him to ring Salus if unsure of anything. Today he cut the wire to the wall stat, took off the old programmer and put on the Salus control box, then rang Salus for advice re the wiring. At this point he discovered the problem. So now the boiler is controlled by an on/off switch on the wall. Why the installer did not ring Salus before cutting wires and trying to install the IT500 is a mystery to me.