how to use storage heater without activating the included convector heater?

Deleted member 123084 · Oct 18, 2019

Dear all, I have 3 unidare storage heaters that I d like to use minimizing electrical expense and I m struggling to understand how they work. I ve called unidare phone with no success and asked 2 electricians that could not provide help, thus I thought maybe someone from here could help. the instructions indicate how to adjust input (to regulate how "much energy it stores") and output (to adjust the time of day at which the heat emmited from the grille=boost is emmited). This is fed by night electricity. Instructions indicate additionally it can work as convector heater that uses day electricity (expensive) if necessary. instructions say this convector has a switch (on=convector runs/off=it does not run) and a thermostat to adjust to desired room temperature. Therefore, I understand that if I only want to use night electricity it should be enough to have them plugged with input/output on desired positions, NOT turning on the convector switch. But if I just do that, nothing happens and it remains completely cold. I can switch them ON using the convector switch, but in that case, it turns hot at any time of the day using electricity during day, and that s not what I want as that s expensive. Could anyone please provide help on how to make work ONLY the storage and NOT the convector? any help would be much appreciated thanks a lot, best regards
here the instructions I got

[ElectriciansForums.net] how to use storage heater without activating the included convector heater?

suffolkspark · Oct 21, 2019

They are probably circa 20 years old plus so manufacturers are unlikely to be much help in any case, yes I'd give an electrician a call

Davisonp · Oct 21, 2019

If all the MCB's are turned "On" on the off peak side of the consumer unit, and the overnight switch is turned on for each of the heaters , but only one heater heats overnight and the rest do not, It is one
1) The input dial (thermostat) is set too low so the heater is not getting hot. Set this to the maximum.
2) The thermostat has failed (This can be changed by an electrician, but may take multiple visits as it would be unusual for an electrician to carry them unless they look at a lot of store age heaters.
3) The heaters have tripped the thermal cutout. This will need an electrician.
4) The Wall switch may be faulty (It happens).

To identify Economy 7 issues I normally turn off the main switch and all MCB's for the overnight supply, then with the cover removed, take a 13 amp plug supply and feed the overnight bus bar and the neutral into the relevant bar. then turn each heater on one at a time and see what amps are drawn. If no amps are drawn by a heater, there is an issue somewhere down the line and further investigation is required to see how far the electricity is getting.
If the electrician you get is not familiar with Economy 7, you may wish to pass on this information.

Deleted member 123084 · Oct 21, 2019

Davisonp said:
If all the MCB's are turned "On" on the off peak side of the consumer unit, and the overnight switch is turned on for each of the heaters , but only one heater heats overnight and the rest do not, It is one
1) The input dial (thermostat) is set too low so the heater is not getting hot. Set this to the maximum.
2) The thermostat has failed (This can be changed by an electrician, but may take multiple visits as it would be unusual for an electrician to carry them unless they look at a lot of store age heaters.
3) The heaters have tripped the thermal cutout. This will need an electrician.
4) The Wall switch may be faulty (It happens).

To identify Economy 7 issues I normally turn off the main switch and all MCB's for the overnight supply, then with the cover removed, take a 13 amp plug supply and feed the overnight bus bar and the neutral into the relevant bar. then turn each heater on one at a time and see what amps are drawn. If no amps are drawn by a heater, there is an issue somewhere down the line and further investigation is required to see how far the electricity is getting.
If the electrician you get is not familiar with Economy 7, you may wish to pass on this information.

thanks a lot for you reply. However, I have two questions: 1)What are the MCBs? and 2) if I understand the instructions (attached here) , the thermostat is to be used for the convector, because it activates the heater according to the room temperature. And convector uses day energy, more expensive. According to instructions, the heat the storage "accumulates" and "delivers" heat depending on the input/output settings on the controls on the top of the heater. Thus I assume the thermostat has no role on the functioning of the storage heater... so I don not follow your explanation. Am I missing something? thanks again

Davisonp · Oct 21, 2019

mara mul said:
thanks a lot for you reply. However, I have two questions: 1)What are the MCBs? and 2) if I understand the instructions (attached here) , the thermostat is to be used for the convector, because it activates the heater according to the room temperature. And convector uses day energy, more expensive. According to instructions, the heat the storage "accumulates" and "delivers" heat depending on the input/output settings on the controls on the top of the heater. Thus I assume the thermostat has no role on the functioning of the storage heater... so I don not follow your explanation. Am I missing something? thanks again

View attachment 53277

The thermostat on the side is for the convection heater, but the "Input control" knob for the storage heater does use a thermostat to regulate the temperature the heater reaches overnight. This basically heats bricks overnight, and the heat then comes out over the day once the electricity is off again during the day.

The MCB is part of the consumer unit. If the lights in the property "Trip" You go to the Consumer unit, and turn back on the lighting circuit. what you turn on is either an MCB or something similar. In your situation you will have either two consumer units,
or one consumer unit with two parts and two red main switches. One of the red switches will feed the consumer unit is on 24 hours a day and the other main switch will only get power from 12.30Pm to 7.00Am (Times may vary). you need to ensure the MCB's marked as heaters are all on.