Elnur Gabarron Heaters

mmmmikey

Hi - assuming the heaters are wired in correctly, for a two wire installation they will only ever charge from the off-peak supply (described as the "restricted" supply in the manual).

If you set the on and off times in P01 to P04 all to 00:00 the heaters will (a) only ever use off-peak electricity for storage, and (b) make maximum use of the off-peak supply available to you. Unlike older storage heaters, in normal use you don't really need to worry too much about over-charging the heaters (i.e. storing more heat than you need) because the insulation is so good that very little will leak out and it will just be there ready for when you need it. But if you do want to limit the amount of heat that is stored, there's a setting you can change (independently of the timings) to do this, so that, for example, the heaters only charge until there 60% full or whatever.

If you want to limit the charge time (for example if you have different off-peak rates and you only want to use the cheaper one) you can do this by setting the timers so that the heaters are only set to charge during the specific periods you want.

Probably the first thing to do is to make sure you know exactly how your tariff works in terms of rates and times, and make sure that the restricted / off-peak circuit is live only during cheap rate periods.

EDIT: I forgot to add the caveat saying that's the way that mine work and others I have come across

Scot_39

rglynt said:

Hi & thanks folks. 

They add:  "If you are on the Weathercall option it is recommended that the Input setting on your storage radiator is always at the highest setting". I take this to mean cranking up the input dial on the old SH these tariffs were designed for. On my new units the equivalent would, I guess, be to set the charge timings to the full 24 hours and surrender all control to SP. Which is plainly unacceptable.

Cheers R

Yes the old input thermostat max - which was the default setting recommended in old user manuals - and only to be wound down if house too warm (not so much concern about billing costs back then perhaps)  - on the presumption that the heaters would be sized for 7 or in old whitemeter days in SP case 8.5 hours charge for winter weather.

But if costs are a concern like they are for me - I run much lower - barely charging 3 hours per day for most of the winter. 3 o clock on input dial mild winter - 5 when really cold.

Enough to keep damp mould at bay and not be completely freezing - but I triple layer up top and double layer bottom to cope when sitting passively.  Not quite full hertslad - no skiing kit / down jackets etc - but more dressed for winter than many.

As you say the Elnurs are different beasts

a) capable of their own timings 

and 

b) if allow the adaptation via non zero balance their own charge regulation.

And more likely to hold a lower charge to later in the day rather than leaking a fair amount from overnight charge when often not desired leaving too little by evening if wind them down.

So I'd run the Elnur's as you see fit - and similarly adjust the inputs on any older - again as you see fit.