Hive multizone. Max 3 zones or 6 ?

[shaky1105]

Dunno if anyone can help with this but I've been offered a used Hive Multizone kit from a mate. He's decided to get a nest setup installed instead of the Hive and has asked me if I want it FOC seeing as I do a lot of the regular maintenance on his bikes for him, also FOC. It was bought either 2020 or 2021, I can't remember exactly what date he said.

I've looked online at all the features etc and it looks like it would be a worthwhile bit of kit, apart from one nagging issue that I can't seem to find any details on, which is that a lot of the info online seems to contradict itself as to how many zones it can control. A few say 3 zones but the Nest Hive website says it's capable of controlling 6 .

Would I be right in guessing that maybe the original kits could only do 3 and the later versions can now deal with 6 ? In which case, how could I tell if the kit he's offering me would be the later version ? Did Nest Hive update the firmware possibly, or would I have to check model/serial No's on the thermostats ?

If it helps, I won't be using the hub or the phone app to adjust the heating remotely and it will only be used for controlling the heating as my hot water is dealt with by another boiler. I have 6 heating zones, hence the need to find out as the kit he's offered me only has 3 thermostats with it so I would have to buy another 3.

TIA

 

[shaky1105]

BUMP - Anybody ? Just want to let my mate know asap if I'll have it or not as if not, he can get it bunged on eBay. Thanks

 

[ianmcd]

Did Nest update the firmware possibly,

I've been offered a used Hive Multizone kit

what is it uou want to install a nest or a Hive ?

 

[shaky1105]

what is it uou want to install a nest or a Hive ?

Whoops just realised my typo there @ianmcd - sorry. The idea is that I'm gonna take the Hive off him to fit at my place as long as I can add three more stat/receiver units to cover my setup but I just need to know if it's possible, otherwise I'm gonna let him sell it on eBay.

Cheers for the reply.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Everything I see in Hives literature, suggests three zones, plus water heating.

Installation instructions...

Multizone fact sheet...

Can you show us where it says 6 on their website?

It may be best to just phone them.

 

[ericmark]

I must admit Hive does seem an odd system, however Drayrton Wiser also do a mixture of zone methods, there are two types of zone valve, on/off with a micro switch and up/down with no micro switch but built in room thermostat, which mount on the radiator, often called TRV which were very simple devices, but with the electronic heads make the old on/off zone valve a little redundant, specially since gas boilers are analogue work better with analogue zone valve.

 

[shaky1105]

Everything I see in Hives literature, suggests three zones, plus water heating.

Can you show us where it says 6 on their website?

It may be best to just phone them.

Thanks @RandomGrinch for the reply. The two sites I've seen 6 zones mentioned are HERE (scroll down and it's in the Tech Specs) and HERE on the Hive Community Website. That reply seems to have been posted in 2019 as well, seemingly suggesting that 6 zones are available.

I agree that the paperwork my mate has got seems to point to only 3 CH zones and a DHW zone as you mention but I just wondered if Hive have brought out new units completely or just upgraded the existing units with new firmware etc to allow for the extra zones ?

That's the bit I'm trying to figure out before I decide to get the kit off my mate coz if his units can't be upgraded to allow another three CH zones, it's pointless me having them off him.

Cheers.

 

[RandomGrinch]

The two sites I've seen 6 zones mentioned are HERE (scroll down and it's in the Tech Specs) and HERE on the Hive Community Website.

Interesting, I haven't seen that anywhere else.
It could definitely cause confusion, having conflicting information out there.

Hopefully the extra zones were added simply by an app upgrade, or a firmware update to the Hive components, and this may be compatible with your units.

As I said earlier, it's probably worth a call to Hive, or just buy the extra units and hope!

Alternatively, do you really need 6 zones?
Could you combine zones and then (as Eric mentions) use smart TRVs etc.?