Is it really that easy to fit a timer to a immersion tank heater?
home_improver
Hi
I'm new to the forum (although I have been following it as while via
twitter).
I've just moved into an old house that has amongst other things, just an
immersion tank heater for the
hot water (storage heaters in the house).
It's not on a timer so I have to switch it on last thing and remember to
switch it off in the morning
(economy 7 rates).
I've seen some timers in the local DIY shop - looks like you just break
into the cable and wire in / wire
out from the back of the timer.
Is it really that easy? What about electrical loading, what am I looking
for on the packet e.g "capable of
handling xyz current" etc.
I know enough to isolate via the fuse box (which should be fun as the
house was previously two flats
and none of the fuses are identified as what they are for.
Any help or links to a suitable timer appreciated.
Thanks peeps. - Jonathan
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cj
Basically Yes is the answer to your question but the timer must be capable
of supporting the full load current of the heater .This is usually 3Kw
,although smaller elements can be found.(check the rating plate look for
wattage 3000 or similar.)
Most DIY outlets stock an Immersion heater timer but check it is rated to
switxh at least 13A at 240v (uk use)and that this rating is for an Inductive
load.
Some of the cheap imports use inferior relays or contacts which are only
rated 5A when used with inductive loads.
Other on group may have recomendations of actual units
and pricing .
HTH
CJ
Andrew Gabriel
"cj" <m...@here.com> writes:
> Hi
> Basically Yes is the answer to your question but the timer must be capable
> of supporting the full load current of the heater .This is usually 3Kw
> ,although smaller elements can be found.(check the rating plate look for
> wattage 3000 or similar.)
> Most DIY outlets stock an Immersion heater timer but check it is rated to
> switxh at least 13A at 240v (uk use)and that this rating is for an Inductive
> load.
> Some of the cheap imports use inferior relays or contacts which are only
> rated 5A when used with inductive loads.
Immersion heater isn't an inductive load, so immersion heater timers
will not be rated for inductive loads.
It is high current switching, and these units do have a limited life.
Buy a good quality one, not a bargin basement one. Make sure the
quality of connections you make is good (clean conductors, tight
terminals making good connections). Position the unit somewhere where
it isn't going to be covered in clothes or other potentially flammable
items, so that if it does eventually burn out, there isn't likely to
be serious consequential damage too. It might last longer if it's not
located in a hot cupboard with the tank.
> Other on group may have recomendations of actual units
> and pricing .
I bought one about 15 years ago. It has 7 day timeswitch function,
and the ability to press a button to get an extra 15 minutes (IIRC)
of heating during the day (press multiple times to get multiples of
15 minutes). Make is Kingshield. Don't know if it matches current
products. Also had button press to switch between GMT and BST,
although you may not want to use that with Economy7.
I actually used it to turn off a large old printer in the office
overnight, but if someone was working late, they could fire it up
if necessary. So I can't vouch for how well it would handle the
full load current, but it ran for several years in the office.
It has some sort of capacitor backup to retain programming over
power cuts, but it probably can't survive more than 24h without
losing the programming (can't recall exactly how long).
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
Harry Stottle
news:i7tp48$6td$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I have had a similar one for over 15 years, a Smiths ETU7000, and never had
any problems, this has a built in capacitor backup which has coped with any
power cuts during its life. The settings are a bit complex, but versatile,
so site it where if can be clearly and easily adjusted if needed, and do the
same as I did, tie the operating instructions to the cable just underneath
the unit, that way they are always there when you need them, which proved
very useful a couple of times.
Here is a link to one that looks identical, but the Smiths name has changed
to Timeguard, it might be worth checking for lower prices for that model on
the web, but I could only find it at CPC
http://cpc.farnell.com/timeguard/etu7000/immersion-heater-timeswitch/dp/MC00849
Woody
wrote in message
news:2d435$4ca1ab07$45499b77$72...@news.flashnewsgroups.com...
With respect, if you need to make such queries one must question
whether you are competent/safe to do the job?
--
Woody
harrogate three at ntlworld dot com
Martin
"Woody" <harro...@ntlworld.spam.com> wrote in message
news:PVKoo.17275$qj2....@newsfe26.ams2...
"With respect", there's a first time for everything - and for everyone. The
real danger is when someone does NOT ask first.
--
Martin