Is my Off Peak set up correctly or do I have a fault?

Hello,

We have a Pulsacoil 2000 system with a Timeguard ETU 2000 timer. I have 3 switches on the wall. One is a Main Heater control power switch, which is always left on, and there is a green light lit on the front of the system. There are two switches labelled Off Peak and On Peak. The Off Peak switch is always on and the On Peak is switched off. I have printed instructions, but they aren’t that clear.

Our hot water needs are quite low. No baths, but showers for 2 people every morning and occasional use of a dishwasher. We are on an Economy 7 tariff.


The ETU 2000 timer has a correctly set clock, which I reset recently and the timer is set to come on between 3:30 and 6:30 AM once every night, to make use of the Off Peak tariff. The lower switch on the timer is moved across to the Timed position.

Our hot water is now cold, luke warm at best any time of the day since I set the clock. The system makes a buzzing sound after I run the water. If I press the Change/ Boost switch at Peak time, once on the ETU 2000 and leave it on for half an hour or so, the water is piping hot.

Before I arrange for an engineer to come out to look at the system, I would like to know if I have the timer, etc set up correctly and what is the best, most efficient set up based on our hot water needs.

Is 3 hours during the night long enough? How long should you set this time for? I use the ON Peak button be used in conjunction with the Change/Boost button? Is this correct?

I am wondering if I have caused the problem by changing the settings, or if its just a coincidence and something is faulty. What should I check first? The green light is on all the time and the red light is off. If I do need an Engineer, do you know anyone good near St Albans, Hertfordshire?

Thanks,

David.

David,

Sounds to me as though this is a timer problem. Trouble is, I've never encountered a Timeguard ETU 2000 so I have no idea how it works or how it is set up.

The fact that you get HW when you select BOOST on the timer suggests the Pulsacoil is working, but it could be that the off peak heater element has failed. Like you though, I think this would be a rather unlikely coincidence.

I'd be inclined to re-read the timer instrcution book if I were you to make certain I'd set it up correctly, and if I had, book an electrician to come and test it (and test the off peak heater element in the Pulsacoil at the same time).

Mike

Thanks Mike,

Just to add a little more information if it is relevant. I happened to wake up in the early hours and checked the boiler, etc during the timed period. There was an output light on the timer lit up, just the same as when you press the boost switch, but the boiler was not working. After further investigation, I have found that when I press the boost button, the output light comes on also, but the still boiler still doesn't heat up the water. I had initially thought that it did.

So in summary, the only time the water heats up is when I press down the On Peak switch, regardless of what the timer is doing.

I think you are right Mike about the timer problem. Is it possible for the timer to show the light Output light on as if it is working, but still not set the boiler off? Is this a likely? The timer and boiler are about 6 years old. I've double checked the settings.

I have found a replacement timer for £25 on the web. For that price I think it is worth taking a gamble. If that doesn't fix it, I'll get the father in law, who is an electrician to come down from Sheffield with his tools and check the element as you suggest.

Thanks David.

Hi David,

Yes it is entirely possible for a timer to show all the right lights suggesting it is working whist it is not. The only way to be sure is to employ someone who understands simple electrical fault tracing.

If you buy the timer you are taking a gamble but the chances of it paying off are somewhat better than 50/50 in my view. How will you get it fitted?

Cheers, Mike

Hello Mike,

I was planning to make a diagram of how the timer is wired up and have a go at fitting it myself. If this doesn't cure the problem, I was going to ask the father in law, who is an electrician to come and test the wiring, etc.

I think this will exhaust everything I can check. The next step would be to get an expert, such as yourself to come and have a look. Do you cover the St Albans area, or do you know anyone who is good that does?

David.

Hi David,

Yes St Albans is fine with me, and if you book me I will guarantee you an immediate fix in one visit.

But have a look here too https://gledhill-repairs.forumotion.net/gledhill-repair-specialists-advertise-your-service-here-f20/ . There may be another engineer nearer than me.

Cheers, Mike