[kev2021]

Thanks, I found it by looking on BT site – think there was a – missing in the URL :) It seems mostly re setting smart hub 2, nothing about using a different router connected to it.

Might just forgot about the Digital Voice option… Surely BT has to release the Digital Voice settings so can connect from a ATA for example, not ideal to lock into there hardware only.

Kev

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[kev2021]

hmm i get 404 error  on that link :(

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

Apologies this should of said RT-AX86S lol parents have the 86U lol.

Basically I was going to use the Smart hub 2 just for the Digital Voice so effectively turn off wireless etc on the smarthub 2, plug a cable from LAN to WAN on ASUS and let ASUS do my wifi just like it does now.

So atm I have Draytek Vigor 130 into RT-AX86S, going forwards I’ll have ONT into Smart hub 2 then lan port from smarthub 2 into WAN port RT-AX86S and RT-AX86S will do all my wifi connections as in everything will connect to Asus and it will go to smart hub -> ONT for internet access.

I’ll check the link thanks!

The RT-AX86S should work by plugging straight from ONT (the RT-AX86U does) but I can’t use the Digital Voice.  The small ONT box doesn’t have a phone port, its literally power, fibre, Cable to WAN port from memory.

 

Thanks

 

Kev

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[kev2021]

If you go the Draytek Vigor 130 router, the Asus AX86U is another options, they also do a AX86S which is bit cheaper.

Kev

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

Just to update, I’ve been on to BT and I’ve signed up to them and been told I won’t be impacted by price rise, the new price quoted will be what I pay with potential increase in 2023 but not in 2022.

Thanks all

 

Kev

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[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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[kev2021]

Hi, its the one for my boiler – its very small – it’s basically a molex connector with a wire going from 1 pin into another creating the loop.  From what I can gather, every boiler comes with one as standard BUT if you fit a programmer, then they timer loop is removed and the programmer is fitted in place.

I didn’t fit the programmer, was there when i moved in and no signs of the loop anywhere but it seems if they are fitted when installed, most of the time it is either thrown away or i guess the installer keeps as a quick and easy fix for someone and they can charge for the part.

Part is bit pricey in terms of what it is but got one as a cheap fix but then seen a programmer fairly cheap so got that as well so got 2 options now.

Kev

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[kev2021]

I generally get them probably once every 3 months ish but can depend on the weather, i think its due to over head cables to my area.  To my house its underground but to the area, its overhead and from looking at google, it implies its weather that causes it as its only out for a few seconds unless very bad weather.

No circuits in consumer unit go off/trip and when its restored after few seconds everything is back up and working so hence I’ve ruled out any appliances etc.

I’ve just ordered a new programmer ad also a timer loop as the programmer is great as I can physically set it and it does what it says on the tin, Nest always seems to try turn on of a night at times which I don’t want so as i managed to get programmer much cheaper that any pries I’ve seen for it, I’ve gone with that so effectively I have 2 options now.  If this one fails/doesn’t work, then I’ll go with the timer loop and let Nest control it all and try and figure out why it sometimes wants to come on in middle of the night or a bit earlier than scheduled.

It’s not just mine, some people online have had the same albeit only for a brief period of time.  For me, i just don’t want to hear the boiler in middle of the night or pay for heating in middle of the night, especially as prices getting high – left my tariff as variable as they pulled the fixed I was considering so will just be what it will be now until prices become more stable or cheaper

Kev

 

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[kev2021]

Thanks, doesn’t look to good, must be reason it cheap compared to others…

Kev

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[kev2021]

So the answer is “it will 100 so will be considered full fibre so yes FTTP”….. I’m still not 100% sure lol

They checked my address to confirm i can get it but proceeded to offer me the Pro package at £10 more, once asked if the Vodafone Superfast 100 was available, it is and it is the price I thought so I guess only real way to know is to maybe phone them and query it before I take the plunge… the price seems cheaper than anyone else so there must be a catch somewhere..

Never been with vodaphone for broadband so need to see if it is any good, BT has been fine, no outages, when power goes out, it always comes back up and online so overall its been very good, shame to move away from a hassle free setup but the prices are getting a bit high, my new price is over £10 a month more for the same package plus I need to pay line rental (I pay this upfront) … or for an extra £3 I could get FTTP BUT with other costs increasing etc and the fact the package is a 2 year contract, I can’t really justify it for my usage. If I could not pay the line rental, then it’s worth it but at the moment, BT price is the same with or without a land line so essentially I’m still paying line rental so makes it too pricey.

Kev

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[kev2021]

Been looking at this some more as recently the programmer in my boiler no longer keeps the date/time etc when power goes out and it appears to have no battery in it so if there is one, it isn’t replaceable so downside is now, when power goes out and comes back on, the Nest is unable to control the boiler at all until the date/time on the programmer is set.

So after length discussions, I’ve decided to get a timer loop connector to effectively unplug the programmer int eh boiler, plug in the timer loop and then let Nest control the heating 100% from its schedule and then just try and iron out any anomalies i.e turning on of a night etc..

Kev

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[kev2021]

re-looking at this as BT keep advising to renew lol

Vodafone still cheap, been on there chat, asked the Q re is Vodafone Superfast 100 fttc or fttp, got immediately put in another queue, not one word typed, this person wanted to know what package type I had, I told him I don’t was looking to move, he now put me to a broadband sales team chat….. I get the feeling they can’t answer the question lol….

Still in the queue….

If Vodafone Superfast 100 is FTTP then it is way cheaper than any else I’ve seen.. fingers crossed…

Thanks

Kev

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[kev2021]

Are they pressure treated? they don’t look like it in the pics :(

tbh its hard to find decent timber these days, most of it isn’t much good, not like it used to be :(

We bought Aris rails for our fence and some of them are soo badly twisted/bowed etc it’s hard to believe they actually sell them rather than cut up to smaller length etc…

Kev

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[kev2021]

yes is a pain. Fortunately its back garden and I have neighbours either side so not like I’m on the end of a street with public walking past with blown fence. So not too bad, just of an annoyance having to keep putting back and concern they will break and cost to keep replacing but atm it cheaper to leave as is and try make changes so they don’t blow out..

Getting neighbour to agree to fence being replaced could be a nightmare as he wont want his nice garden messed up with workmen removing & fitting new fence etc…

Kev

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[kev2021]

I would of thought so.  My place, has concrete posts and fence panels between the posts.  I have to say, absolute rubbish.  Soon as we get any strongish wind (not just in recent storms) they blow out.  Back fence is a proper all wooden fence and that been fine but the sides, they put concrete posts and panels, prob due to easier to do and maybe cheaper.  Only plus is concrete boards at bottom so helps stop bottom of fence rotting.

Kev

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