Towel rail timer control

[loulew]

Hi all, I’m currently doing a bathroom re-furb and i’ve installed a dual fuel heated towel rad. It’s fed via an FCU outside the room which then currently goes to a kudox controller just underneath the rad, both of which are zone 2.

The client has just asked how to use the controller and I’ve explained that he just needs to turn it on in the summer to warm the towels. But he doesn’t like having to turn it on before use and would prefer it on a timer.

My question is, does anyone know of any timed controller that can be used for towel rails, obviously needs to be ipx4 as in zone 2.

Thanks in advance for any reply’s.

 

[loulew]

Sorry guys, I don’t mean to sound dismissive. Just trying to balance up the logistics of getting it done with something the client will actually agree to. I really do appreciate all reply’s, it’s nice to be able to bounce ideas.

And the FCU is in an upstairs room, part of the stairwell will need to be chased out to run the new cable. Which was my suggestion in the first place to allow for seperate supply’s, but the client didn’t want the disruption.

 

[Midwest]

There are underfloor heating controllers with dual outputs ...
..

Think as Murdoch suggested, this is your only option, unless the UFH has its own controller already installed?

I did a ensuite refurb', recently. Controller outside bathroom for UFH, and it had separate output specifically for a towel rad. Can't remember the make of the one I installed (also had WiFi connection), but I expect there's several products available.

 

[loulew]

The UFH controller is already installed and across the room from the towel rad so won’t be able to change this now. Although I do like the idea of the dual output controllers, will look into these for the next job.

I think I’ll have to speak to the client about running this new supply as I would have liked in the first place. Think this is a lesson learnt in sticking to my guns at the beginning of a job, preparing for any future eventuality.

 

[Midwest]

IMO dual fuel towel rads are ecological nightmare. Most clients think they'll heat the bathroom on the occasional time (outside winter) when the CH is off, why would you, and they don't. Who wants warm towels, you've just been in a hot shower or bath. Friggin 150w heater, huh my PC gives off more heat.

 

[mattg4321]

Thought most people used them to dry wet towels!

 

[loulew]

The rad is only 300mm wide too, so not exactly going to fit many towels on it either!

 

[Martyn Fletcher]

My towel rail comes on with the heating. When I turn the heating off for the warmer seasons the towel rail becomes a towel rack. As Midwest said "who wants warm towels" (in summer)?

 

[Midwest]

Thought most people used them to dry wet towels!

Ohh so unhygienic

 

[suffolkspark]

So you dont even have even have local isolation for the towel rail or UFH? Its up some stairwell in another room? This setup sounds retarded dude, sorry.

 

[loulew]

It’s the setup that was in place when I got there. If the client doesn’t want to change it then what more can I do.

 

[Richard Burns]

It’s the setup that was in place when I got there. If the client doesn’t want to change it then what more can I do.

I think you have hit the right point there; the customer has decided the level of work they are prepared to accept and then wants more done that is not sensible with the existing limitations they have imposed.
This is what you should be telling the customer (in a nicer way!)

 

[suffolkspark]

It’s the setup that was in place when I got there. If the client doesn’t want to change it then what more can I do.

The cast of grange hill - just say no

 

[davesparks]

It’s the setup that was in place when I got there. If the client doesn’t want to change it then what more can I do.

You can always do nothing, if the customer won’t allow the job to be done right then don’t do the job.

 

[telectrix]

tell him to fit one of these over the bath.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-R...0552&sr=8-18&keywords=over+bath+clothes+dryer

 

[davesparks]

My towel rail comes on with the heating. When I turn the heating off for the warmer seasons the towel rail becomes a towel rack. As Midwest said "who wants warm towels" (in summer)?

That’s not a very well designed system then.
Normally you’d have the towel rails connected the the primaries so that they come on with the hot water during the summer, or connected to a separate zone with its own control.

The point is to dry the towels rather than have them sat there damp for extended periods.