HELP: wireless controlled thermostat not suitable for elderly

[trophy]

Just had a Vaillant Ecotec Pro 28 boiler installed and my elderly parents do not understand how to use the wireless remote control.

The old boiler had a honeywell manual wall thermostat which they could use easily.
The installer of the new boiler set the wireless control so that the boiler comes on and off during the day but they prefer the boiler to be on constantly and then they control it manually.

Questions are:
I hope it is possible to get a similar manual thermostat installed for this boiler, I believe it is called a Vaillant VRT 30.

If so can it be situated in the same place as the other thermostat (in hallway a long way from boiler) or will it have to be a new installation near the boiler which is in the kitchen?
Then we can give back the wireless control. I don't want a boiler that can only be controlled/operated remotely!

Just read that •Clock/timer is not available for the Vaillant ecoTec pro 28

Please advise.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Remove the link between terminals 3 and 4 on the board, then wire in any 230v dial thermostat you like, wireless or wired doesnt have tobe a vrt 30.
So yes you can have your cake and eat it, btw it isnt a VRT360 that hes put in is it?

Edit, this is what Id use, Timeswitch 130, this is fits in the fron of the boiler, 2 dials, dial 1, on, off, and timed, dial 2 is a clock with segments that you move out for on and in for off just like on those timer plugs for turning on lighhts while your away, then use a VRT 30 or any wireless or wired dial room stat.

 

[trophy]

Thanks for your reply.
I think Mum said the word Drefus for the remote thermostat.
It wasn't the one you said which I thought was now discontinued.

As the boiler stands how do you set it to ON constant for heating. Is it with the dreaded remote or is there a button on the boiler to push? Mum mentioned an Override button but I told her not to touch anything!

Can the existing Honeywell room thermostat be used?
If I do what you say and get the clock too, does that dispense with the remote control thermostat altogether or should I still keep it?

 

[Blake]

It could be a Drayton? you should have a up and down button to select the desired temperature. Put it up to the max and this should make the boiler stay on.

I'm surprised that the installer did not explain the operation of the unit after it was installed?

If it is a Drayton, go to there website for instructions.

 

[Blackcatgas]

time switch 130 still available on the internet, I dont know why theyd discontinue it?. the timeswitch 130 clips onto the front of the boiler, google image it its pretty straight forward to understand. then you either wire in a vrt30 or any standard room stat, if its a wire less roomstat you wire in the wireless reciver box to the same terminals as the wired in stat. the time switch 130 then controls the boiler with a dial that has 3 postitions on it ON, OFF, or timed, the vrt 30 or other stat then controls the temp. Dont re use the crusty old honeywell thermostat, use a new honeywell or a vrt 30.

 

[Blackcatgas]

get rid of the existing wireless stat and replace with a dial type one as you folks dont know how to use it.

 

[tamz]

Are you sure you have the model numbers correct. A VRT 30 is a std roomstat. turn it up or down with a dial. It will still be controlled by some type of timer. If on the other hand a VRT360 has been fitted, even most installers struggle with this one. Fitting it for elderly people is a non starter.
This is a big problem for most older people. They just cannot get to grips with all the digital stuff and have big problems working it. Many installers don't give it much of a thought but it is a big issue for people. There is little point in having a bells and whistles controller you can't operate.

Get on to the installer and explain you are not happy with the controls they have been given. Explain that your parents are scared to touch it incase they mess it up, which they probably will.
You can have any timeclock / roomstat combination you wish. Any can be fitted manual or digital.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Are you sure you have the model numbers correct. A VRT 30 is a std roomstat. turn it up or down with a dial. It will still be controlled by some type of timer. If on the other hand a VRT360 has been fitted, even most installers struggle with this one. Fitting it for elderly people is a non starter.
This is a big problem for most older people. They just cannot get to grips with all the digital stuff and have big problems working it. Many installers don't give it much of a thought but it is a big issue for people. There is little point in having a bells and whistles controller you can't operate.

Get on to the installer and explain you are not happy with the controls they have been given. Explain that your parents are scared to touch it incase they mess it up, which they probably will.
You can have any timeclock / roomstat combination you wish. Any can be fitted manual or digital.

Shes got some sort of Draton programable stat on atm, RF1 probably, Ive sugested she fits a time switch 130 + a VRT30.

 

[tamz]

Shes got some sort of Draton programable stat on atm, RF1 probably, Ive sugested she fits a time switch 130 + a VRT30.

A 130 and a VRT30 would certainly be much easier to work as digistats are quite hard for the elderly to understand too. What may seem easy to us is often a big problem to others.

The worst one i had was a blind lady. No one actually makes anything that is easily worked by blind people.
I had to end up leaving her old controls fitted to the new boiler as she knew how to work them by touch.

 

[Blackcatgas]

I can only just about operate a VRT360, old people just want an on and off switch and maybe a dial stat.

 

[trophy]

Thanks to all your replies and my parents are in heaven with their room thermostat and simple manual clock.

Yes they had tried altering things with the remote control and the boiler kept cutting in and out as the temperature button was being pushed up and then down.
I imagine they even tried to get Sky Sports with it!

Again thanks to you all.