Suitable Controller for a Dry Element Electric Towel Rail

[andymet87]

Hi all..

a freind has just bought this towel rail...

http://heatandthings.co.uk/heated-t...-heated-towel-rail-h720mm-w500mm__BLG1-5.aspx

Its a single element one, a type I have had no contact with in the past.

She would like to have a controller on it to control both temperature and the length that it stay on for.

Would either of these work with it?....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/kudox-ele...t Controller&gclid=CIyBi_GLjK4CFYsntAodkidf6Q

or

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hea...+Element+Controller+TCP200/d230/sd2672/p52631

Thanks all in advance!

 

[dumbrill]

Would either of these work with it?....

http://www.screwfix.com/p/kudox-ele...t Controller&gclid=CIyBi_GLjK4CFYsntAodkidf6Q

or

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hea...+Element+Controller+TCP200/d230/sd2672/p52631

Thanks all in advance!

More info on the Toolstation one here although its actually made by Tesla UK Ltd

I think the Tesla one allows you to leave the heat on at one of five levels or just boost for 2 hours and then off (or back to what it was doing before boost). The Screwfix one doesn't judging by the reviews. I bought the Tesla one last week and it looks OK. Haven't wired it in yet.

Neither of these will act like a time clock.

 

[andymet87]

thanks for getting back to me...

The towel rail is an 80W 'dry' towel rail with a single element going all the way through. These controllers should work ok with it shouldnt it!?!?!?

I have read the review about the screwfix one however on reading the manufacturers instructions (http://www.kudox.com/Products/Electrical_Wall_Controls/2011_12_01_Wall_Controller_Instructions.pdf) it does appear to be able to be left on... and also have the 2 hour function... On the face of it the screwfix one might be better for my needs, but that review has lead me to doubt it!

 

[dumbrill]

thanks for getting back to me...

The towel rail is an 80W 'dry' towel rail with a single element going all the way through. These controllers should work ok with it shouldnt it!?!?!?

I have read the review about the screwfix one however on reading the manufacturers instructions (http://www.kudox.com/Products/Electrical_Wall_Controls/2011_12_01_Wall_Controller_Instructions.pdf) it does appear to be able to be left on... and also have the 2 hour function... On the face of it the screwfix one might be better for my needs, but that review has lead me to doubt it!

The Kudox controller turns off after 2 hrs and the Tesla controller returns to whatever it was doing beforehand; that's the difference.

They both control up to 800W so 80W is OK.

The IP rating of the Tesla controller is better, IP55 versus IPX4.

However if the element is only 80W then why have a control to vary the power at all? What's the point of turning down the output to 15% of 80W?

I'd use something like this, but it can't be located in the bathroom.

 

[andymet87]

The rail is in the second bathroom so will rarely be used.

It's more the 2 hour function I'm interested in to dry the odd towel off. It's an expensive faceplate to get the function though. And I don't want it turning on/off all the time and wasting electricity..!

Any other ideas/suggestions?