UK Storage heater help needed

[WestCoastie]

Hi all, I'm looking for a bit of assistance please from those that know more about this stuff than I do.

Currently in a rented flat and there's an old style Breda (beige /grey) storage heater in the living room with an input and out put dial. When I used the heater in the winter last year I'd switch the switch on at the wall on a Friday afternoon (I wasn't in the flat full time only weekends) and the pilot light on the wall would light up about 10/11pm and it would go off about 7/8am as expected/supposed to.
Before it was switched off at spring time I noticed that the wall pilot light was remaining on all day, instead of being unlit. I've switched the wall switch on a few different times since (to see if same issue was still occuring) during day time periods and each time the wall pilot light is always lit when switched on.

Can anyone offer any advice on this please? Before I need to turn this on during the winter. I contacted Scottish Power and they were absolutely no help at all.

Thanks.

 

[ipf]

Is that 'Creda' rather than 'Breda'?

The neon isn't a 'pilot light' it's an on/off indicator. The power should be on for it to operate.
If it's switched off for the summer you may have some sort of leakage problem.
I would suggest calling an electrician to do some investigating.

 

[James]

A picture of the area around the fuse boards would help, I suspect there is a timer or remote relay box that controls the time the heating is active.

 

[WestCoastie]

Is that 'Creda' rather than 'Breda'?

The neon isn't a 'pilot light' it's an on/off indicator. The power should be on for it to operate.
If it's switched off for the summer you may have some sort of leakage problem.
I would suggest calling an electrician to do some investigating.

Sorry you could be right, Creda.
Previously when the switch was at the 'on' position during the day it wouldn't light up until the timer kicked in (I'm guessing this is controlled by main grid for economy 7?) about 10/11 at night then the light would go off itself without it being switched off at around 7/8am. I'm just worried that if I switch it on over the winter that it's going to be putting heat out constantly rather than normal times.... Sorry, like I say my knowledge is nil with these things.

 

[Avo Mk8]

I'm just worried that if I switch it on over the winter that it's going to be putting heat out constantly rather than normal times.... Sorry, like I say my knowledge is nil with these things.

I think you are right to worry! I would have expected that light to be going on and off as before.
As above a picture of your meter and (the two?) consumer units might help.
Has the Landlord had the electricity meter changed by any chance?

 

[snowhead]

Has the Landlord had the electricity meter changed by any chance?

You're not suggesting a highly trained and skilled "Smart Meter" fitter has come in and Co*ked up the setup are you

 

[WestCoastie]

I think you are right to worry! I would have expected that light to be going on and off as before.
As above a picture of your meter and (the two?) consumer units might help.
Has the Landlord had the electricity meter changed by any chance?

You're not suggesting a highly trained and skilled "Smart Meter" fitter has come in and Co*ked up the setup are you

I don't have a smart meter (in my flat anyway).

I've attached some photos from the building electric cupboard, don't know if any of those are any good..first one looks like it might be something to do with it?

Just so I can basically go back to the landlord, tell him this is what's wrong and this is what we need to do to fix it.

Thanks so much,

 

[James]

You're not suggesting a highly trained and skilled "Smart Meter" fitter has come in and Co*ked up the setup are you

I think you hit the nail on the head.
new meter instalation has messed up economy 7 timer and it all looks a bit wrong to be honest.

 

[freddo]

and it all looks a bit wrong to be honest.

It's certainly not a 'normal' setup! I can't really work out what is going on there

 

[ipf]

Rather than gathering presumptions and opinions from afar, get it looked at by someone qualified to know.

 

[WestCoastie]

Rather than gathering presumptions and opinions from afar, get it looked at by someone qualified to know.

Thanks, that's obviously the plan, just thought I'd seek a bit of advice/ knowledge first.

Rather than gathering presumptions and opinions from afar, get it looked at by someone qualified to know.