Replacing a British Gas DPO programmer?

FlaatusGoat

My boiler has a British gas programmer wired in. I'm not familiar with these but presumably it sets the on/off and is in no way thermostatic which seems pretty pointless. Assuming the wiring is similar can I just rip that out and fit a wireless sender for a proper programmer/thermostat that I can keep in another room?

The boiler is a Potterton promax plus he. Thanks

ThisIsWeird

This is a system boiler? It provides CH and also heats up a hot water tank?

Almost certainly there will be a wireless option, and - as you say - the Wi receiver will either plug straight in, or can be mounted just outside the boiler.

BG very often (always?!) just put their name on devices manufactured by others.

Photo of the programmer, please?

Edit: If it's the model of boiler I've just looked at, I doubt that the existing control can be removed. In which case that would remain in order to provide the DHW timings, but you can fit a receiver just outside the boiler, for use with a prog stat - even a 'Smart' type - to control the CH. 

It looks like a cover-off, drop down the front control panel, disconnect link from the terminal connector, and wire your ext receiver to this, type jobbie, so I cannot recommend it be DIYed.

It's an easy job for a GS/sparky, tho', and it means you can have your preferred choice of wireless controller.

Any idea which one you prefer? Is 'smart' - App control - of interest, for example?

FlaatusGoat

Here's some images of the system. I'm guessing by the looks of things it's as you say but trying to figure out which wire goes where might be tricky. I was hoping it was a case of taking out the old programmer and wiring a new one.

I'll probably go for a stand alone wireless thermostat to put downstairs. I'm really not sure what the rage is with app based smart controls...

Montybell1

Yep you can just remove and get a new wired in , you can even get a nest one fitted , just speak to a reliable gas engineer 

ThisIsWeird

FlaatusGoat said:

Here's some images of the system. I'm guessing by the looks of things it's as you say but trying to figure out which wire goes where might be tricky. I was hoping it was a case of taking out the old programmer and wiring a new one.

I'll probably go for a stand alone wireless thermostat to put downstairs. I'm really not sure what the rage is with app based smart controls...

Clarify, please, Flaatus. When you say 'BG programmer', what are you referring to - the early-Hive style device on the wall, or the timer on the front of the boiler?

And do you have a room thermostat of any description anywhere in the house?

And...how do you time your DHW?

Thanks.

(The junction box you require is there, but first things first - them Qs^)

FlaatusGoat

ThisIsWeird said:

FlaatusGoat said:

Here's some images of the system. I'm guessing by the looks of things it's as you say but trying to figure out which wire goes where might be tricky. I was hoping it was a case of taking out the old programmer and wiring a new one.

I'll probably go for a stand alone wireless thermostat to put downstairs. I'm really not sure what the rage is with app based smart controls...

Clarify, please, Flaatus. When you say 'BG programmer', what are you referring to - the early-Hive style device on the wall, or the timer on the front of the boiler?

And do you have a room thermostat of any description anywhere in the house?

And...how do you time your DHW?

Thanks.

(The junction box you require is there, but first things first - them Qs^)

Thanks BG Programmer (British Gas) and yes it took some doing but apparently Hive / BG are the same. I've just bought a Hive Mini so hopefully the wiring should be like-for-like. There's a traditional and ancient wall style thermostat downstairs but I can't be sure if that's linked to the programmer. I presume so - just moved into the house

ThisIsWeird

Yes, Hive and BG are related, tho' can't recall in which way - did BG commission a co. to come up with the design, the first of which were more basic, BG-logo'd, and that creamish colour, I'm not sure.

Ok, what exactly does that unit do? Just timings, or does it also handle temps? And only for the CH?

How do you control your hot water - via the timer that's on the actual boiler?

Does that Hive-ish unit require batteries? If you look underneath it, right where it contacts the wall, is there a flat flap-lever there? If so, if you press that against the wall, the unit should come off. If you look at its back, you'll find the model number - is it WPT1, for example? (Bear in mind live terminals on the backplate.)

The Hive Mini is a wee cracker, but it is not at all easy to set up and use unless you go the full 'Smart' by adding the internet Hub too.

FlaatusGoat

ThisIsWeird said:

Yes, Hive and BG are related, tho' can't recall in which way - did BG commission a co. to come up with the design, the first of which were more basic, BG-logo'd, and that creamish colour, I'm not sure.

Ok, what exactly does that unit do? Just timings, or does it also handle temps? And only for the CH?

How do you control your hot water - via the timer that's on the actual boiler?

Does that Hive-ish unit require batteries? If you look underneath it, right where it contacts the wall, is there a flat flap-lever there? If so, if you press that against the wall, the unit should come off. If you look at its back, you'll find the model number - is it WPT1, for example? (Bear in mind live terminals on the backplate.)

The Hive Mini is a wee cracker, but it is not at all easy to set up and use unless you go the full 'Smart' by adding the internet Hub too.

The downstairs thermostat is just a wheel kind you twist to set to 10c or 22c or whatever. Something from 20+ years ago. As for the programmer next the boiler, that just sets the schedule and the hot water/heating boosts. I'm guessing they work in conjunction. By the way the BG programmer doesn't require batteries, it appears directly wired into the boiler live. Not sure about the programmer model number, there's two screws at the bottom which I'll need to open to get it off the wall mount I guess. Shame about the smart hub, do I have to get specifically a Mini one or will any Hive smart hub do?

ThisIsWeird

FlaatusGoat said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Yes, Hive and BG are related, tho' can't recall in which way - did BG commission a co. to come up with the design, the first of which were more basic, BG-logo'd, and that creamish colour, I'm not sure.

Ok, what exactly does that unit do? Just timings, or does it also handle temps? And only for the CH?

How do you control your hot water - via the timer that's on the actual boiler?

Does that Hive-ish unit require batteries? If you look underneath it, right where it contacts the wall, is there a flat flap-lever there? If so, if you press that against the wall, the unit should come off. If you look at its back, you'll find the model number - is it WPT1, for example? (Bear in mind live terminals on the backplate.)

The Hive Mini is a wee cracker, but it is not at all easy to set up and use unless you go the full 'Smart' by adding the internet Hub too.

The downstairs thermostat is just a wheel kind you twist to set to 10c or 22c or whatever. Something from 20+ years ago. As for the programmer next the boiler, that just sets the schedule and the hot water/heating boosts. I'm guessing they work in conjunction. By the way the BG programmer doesn't require batteries, it appears directly wired into the boiler live. Not sure about the programmer model number, there's two screws at the bottom which I'll need to open to get it off the wall mount I guess. Shame about the smart hub, do I have to get specifically a Mini one or will any Hive smart hub do?

With Hive, you can get the 'standard' model which is larger and has that large wheel in the middle - the SLT3b, I think it's called. That can be mounted anywhere in the house, so I'd suggest your sitting room as that's the temp you really want to set most accurately. The receiver will then go near the boiler, hopefully where the current one is mounted.

An added complication is that the room 'stat you have will need removing from the wiring.

Even the Slt3b is faaaar easier to set up via the App - it's really nice. Doing it via the knob is ok - takes a bit of getting used to.

I'll come back to this later - dawg walkie time.