Replace Drayton combistat with digital

[chatlow]

Hi all
Our Drayton combistat is not working so well and I'd like to replace it with a digital stat, perhaps Honeywell or hive
All controls are next to our boiler using the Drayton lp522. Water needs to be on for heating to come on. Cylinder in cupboard gets heated up and water passes through matrix to get warm (so I'm told)

If I wanted to replace just the thermostat, would this be simple enough like for like with either brand above? Wiring diagram is below.

Would be great to change it's location to the lounge (currently in hallway which is always a bit colder) but suspect that won't be easy to do

Also happy to replace the controller if it's easy enough and no major wiring involved

Thanks

 

[CountryFan]

If you want it moving into the lounge without rewiring, then I suggest a wireless type. Have you considered a Drayton Digistat which would be battery operated and has app/Bluetooth connectivity?

 

[chatlow]

Happy to consider the digistat, so long as it's compatible with my current system. How would it connect to the boiler/controller? Thanks

 

[CountryFan]

Happy to consider the digistat, so long as it's compatible with my current system. How would it connect to the boiler/controller? Thanks

The digistat 2290b is a battery operated programmable 2 wire thermostat, so it would be wired in place of the existing combistatand safely terminating the neutral wire, as it wouldn’t be needed. Everything else would remain the same.

 

[chatlow]

The digistat 2290b is a battery operated programmable 2 wire thermostat, so it would be wired in place of the existing combistatand safely terminating the neutral wire, as it wouldn’t be needed. Everything else would remain the same.

Just so I'm understanding you properly, this stat could be a direct swap out for my current combistat? Just need to terminate the neutral wire?
Is there a sensor that comes with it which can be placed in a different room or have I got this wrong. Thanks

 

[CountryFan]

Just so I'm understanding you properly, this stat could be a direct swap out for my current combistat? Just need to terminate the neutral wire?

Yes, the above is correct.

Is there a sensor that comes with it which can be placed in a different room or have I got this wrong. Thanks

No, not a sensor. You would put it there, but you could control it from the lounge with a compatible smartphone. If you wanted to move it altogether you’d need the wireless version RF901 or another branded wireless thermostat.

 

[chatlow]

Maybe I'm overthinking it but wouldn't a receiver be needed where the current controller is, or will it just work well with our Drayton 522?
Right now we're happy to keep it simple and just replace the combistat with a digital one until we get a new system next year . I do like the sound of a wireless one that we could keep in the lounge, so will check that out now

 

[chatlow]

Had a look at some other wireless options and the hive mini wireless is on offer at the moment for a little less than the dratec. Also designed for heat only boilers, so id hope the receiver is also a similar wiring setup

 

[chatlow]

thought i was getting somewhere and almost pulled trigger on the hive mini wireless stat (for heat only boilers) - but all wiring diagrams show it connects the receiver to the controller. I want to replace our current stat with the receiver and leave the controller alone. Thought this would be easier, so might need to go with the digistat or honeywell instead

 

[CountryFan]

So if you wanted a hive or similar, you could place it where the existing programmer is located (should be straight swap, no wiring) or place it in the airing/cylinder cupboard, wiring required.

 

[chatlow]

So if you wanted a hive or similar, you could place it where the existing programmer is located (should be straight swap, no wiring) or place it in the airing/cylinder cupboard, wiring required.

So there's no way to use the hive as just a wireless thermostat, it has to replace the controller?
And the rf901 or Honeywell are just wireless hermostats, no controller involved?

 

[CountryFan]

So there's no way to use the hive as just a wireless thermostat, it has to replace the controller?
And the rf901 or Honeywell are just wireless hermostats, no controller involved?

No, I think you’re misunderstanding me. The Hive can replace the controller, but can be used just as a wireless thermostat, but needs a receiver wiring in. This is either done at the programmer (easy) or wired into the wiring center in the cylinder cupboard (a little more than easy, but easy enough). This allows you to place the thermostat where you want it within reason.

Any battery powered thermostat such as the 2290b would just be wired to existing thermostat wires. An alternative you could go for is the Nest E smart thermostat or plenty of other battery operated types. This keeps the thermostat in the hallway. Hope this explains it better?

 

[chatlow]

Kind of! Ha, so we Def want the current stat moved and therefore want wireless.
I then expected the receiver (be it Hive, Drayton or Honeywell) would go where the existing stat was (currently 3 wires+earth) and then the thermometer could connect to that from the lounge

Means we keep the existing controller where it is, untouched

 

[CountryFan]

Kind of! Ha, so we Def want the current stat moved and therefore want wireless.
I then expected the receiver (be it Hive, Drayton or Honeywell) would go where the existing stat was (currently 3 wires+earth) and then the thermometer could connect to that from the lounge

Means we keep the existing controller where it is, untouched

You can’t really do that, as the receiver needs a permanent live and permanent neutral. Existing thermostat only receives the live once it’s called for by the programmer. If you went with Hive 2 channel, you could replace the existing programmer (controller as you call it) and it would control your heating and hot water.

 

[chatlow]

Sorry I must have def misunderstood then, I thought you said I could this with something like the rf901? Or is that battery operated and doesn't need perm live? Apologies, I've got v confused with this by the looks