Disco Dimplex EPX Heaters

A friend of mine has a 4 year old flat fitted with 5 Dimplex EPX convector heaters controlled from a central programmer. There is a single push-button on the top that turns the heater on, and a light that indicates to show that the heater is powered up. When programmer and thermostat is calling for heat a second light comes on to show that it is heating.

During last winter, 3 of the 5 have stopped working, but have manifest different symptoms.

With two of them, when the power is turned on by pressing the power push-button, the power on light indicates as normal. Then, when heat is called for by the remote programmer and integral thermostat, the heating light flashes on once and then both lights go off. No heat is emitted.

With the third heater, when the power is turned on by pressing the power push-button, the power on light indicates as normal. This time. when heat is called for by the remote programmer the heat light flashes on and off at 1 second intervals as does the power light, but in an alternating sequence. A small amount of heat is emitted.

I'm guessing that these lights are some sort of fault code, but the operator instructions have no fault finding section and make no mention of flashing lights during normal use. Anyone know what they are trying to tell me?

The heaters have only seen three years of winter use and tend to be set fairly low at about 18 degrees C. The three that have failed (Two in the lounge and one in the hallway) do get the most use, The two that are still working normally are installed in the bedrooms and are rarely used.

Try the appliances forum.

But maybe it's trying to tell you that the Optimyst isn't the only product by Dimplex that's a pile of cack.

Is it pilot wire or mains borne signalling?

ban-all-sheds said:

But maybe it's trying to tell you that the Optimyst isn't the only product by Dimplex that's a pile of cack.

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Dimplex used to be good.

Must admit I was disappointed with the Dimplex fan heater I got recently - flimsy construction, and doesn't get hot because it self-heats the internal thermostat

OwainDIYer said:

Is it pilot wire or mains borne signalling?

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It's pilot wire, and it seems to be working. The heaters sit there with just their power light on, until the programmer switches them 'on' then if their thermostats are also calling for heat, that's when it all goes wrong.

Seems I'm not the only one to come across this problem.

//www.diynot.com/diy/threads/dimplex-epx-panel-heater-s-not-working.197914/

Got in touch with Dimplex today they said "it sounds as if there is a problem with the Thermostat / Control Board" and suggested I contact their service agent to repair them. I looked 'on line' and the parts are available over the internet for £62 each, so for 3 with fitting it's going to be expensive. It will probably be cheaper to buy a new replacement heaters at £100-£120 and fit them myself! However, I don't feel inclined to do either, in light of three out of the five heaters failing after such a short time, I assume any replacements will have a similar lifespan.

Anyone know of a reliable heater made that has a 'pilot wire' for remote control signaling that I could replace them with?