Reply To: Boiler Query Hi all, So been visiting parents for a few days and it seems, the power went out some point over the last week and must of been a longer than…

[kev2021]

It connects into the connector on the boiler, I presume the programmer when set to run mode makes the connection to turn boiler on IF the temp is lower than the thermostat.  If it isn’t set to come on or is not lower than thermostat, the link is unconnected.

The timer loop effectively makes it a perm connection and then relies on a separate programmer to determine when it comes on/off etc.  My boiler has a place for it within the boiler hence it was fitted.

My parents for example, they have a separate programmer (or did) until they moved to Nest and now they rely on Nest for programmer effectively via the schedule.

They are called timer loops or plugin-in timer loop/connector, yo can search them, I found quiet a few but they all silly money really.

If i was an electrician etc I’d be tempted to cut the connector off my faulty programmer and put the wire into the correct slot and connect it and use that as its basically the same thing but I’m not so best to buy proper thing.

I believe I’m ok to take gas cover off boiler and fit as whilst I’m certain not gas certified etc, I’m not messing with any of the actual boiler components, just removing programmer and plugging in the timer loop connector and putting cover back on which they say need to be competent which looking online its as simply as undoing 2 screens, pulling down 2 clips and and pulling the cover towards me and then up and off.  Programmer has 2 connectors – 1 for thermostat and 1 for power, i unplug both and plug timer loop connector into thermostat.  Can’t go wrong as thermostat is 4 pin connector and power is 3 pin connector so unable to get wrong so should take prob 10 mins to do.

I’m probably going to fit the replacement programmer so effectively put the new one in as the old one comes out as its exactly the same unit.

If that doesn’t work, then i got backup plan to use timer loop.  The current timer has lasted approx. 6.5 years so if the replacement lasts as long then I suspect boiler will be close to needing replacing as they estimate combi boiler last on average 15 years.

Also, if they are going to stop gas boiler is 2030, then it might tie in nicely to get a new one fitted before they stop you getting one.

I’ve already looked online and it seems lots are now making gas / hydrogen ready boilers.  Not 100% sure how it works but i saw a video approx. 1 year old saying you fit it, it runs on gas, then when you switch to hydrogen, it costs approx. £100 to swap out 3 parts in the boiler to make it work with hydrogen and your good to go so sems a viable option to me rathe than heat pumps etc.

Kev

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