Replacement for Danfoss 3060 timer?

[Johnny2R]

We have an ancient central heating system, installed, it seems, shortly after man's discovery of fire. Of late it hasn't been switching on and off at the requisite times, and it looks as if the Danfoss 3060 timer control is on the blink. My understanding is that I can probably just replace this with some more modern equivalent like a Danfoss FP720, Drayton LP722 or Siemens RWB29si, and that doing so should be a pretty straightforward DIY job. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

I think to be sure, I need to establish whether the system is Y-Plan, S-Plan or Gravity Fed, and I'm not quite sure how to determine this. My assumption is Gravity Fed, simply because of the age and apparent primitive nature of the system. What do I look for?

 

[CountryFan]

It should be relatively easy to replace, but it's not a straight swap. As for the type of system, do you have motorised valves? Post a photo of the cylinder cupboard if you're unsure. Also, often on the back of the programmer will indicate what system.

 

[oilhead]

The options you need to establish are Y plan, S plan Cplan or GRAVITY HW. I think you may be confusing gravity with an open system. The pointer a lot of the time is how many flow and return connections your boiler has. Pumped systems will have one of each, whilst gravity hot water will have 2 of each.

 

[Johnny2R]

So pipes from the boiler should show this?

 

[Johnny2R]

It should be relatively easy to replace, but it's not a straight swap. As for the type of system, do you have motorised valves? Post a photo of the cylinder cupboard if you're unsure. Also, often on the back of the programmer will indicate what system.

Pretty sure we don't have motorised valves. Can't see anything in the cylinder cupboard which could fit that description. Basically, the boiler has two narrow bore (15mm?) parallel pipes coming out of the right side going up to the cylinder cupboard above, which I take to be gravity-flow and return pipes for the hot water cylinder, and two wider bore pipes coming out the left, which I take to be flow and return pipes for the central heating circuit. So this makes it gravity fed, right? I'm thinking that a Danfoss FP720 will probably work for us?

 

[CountryFan]

Sounds like gravity fed then yes. If the FP720 supports gravity, then yes should be ok. There are others that support gravity fed systems too.

 

[Johnny2R]

Sounds like gravity fed then yes. If the FP720 supports gravity, then yes should be ok. There are others that support gravity fed systems too.

I believe it does, via a dip switch or config setting (depending on model). Not sure it can use the existing backplate, but I think so. I need the job to be easy or I'll deeply regret taking it on myself!

 

[Exedon]

I'm fairly certain the FP720 uses the common backplate, your old timer is totally different .
Get a wireing diagram for the old one (ready available on line) should then be simple to swap .

 

[Murdochcat]

If you do decide to try to change this make sure you mark and photograph the old connections BEFORE you take it apart

 

[Johnny2R]

Turns out the Danfoss 3060 is not clipped onto a backplate and simply replaceable, but hardwired directly into a terminal block, so a new backplate will need to be fitted and wired in. Probably (?) outside my capabilities. Is this a job for an electrician or a heating engineer?

 

[ericmark]

S Plan has two motorised valves each with two ports, and a sensor on the cylinder where two wires are used, Y Plan has one motorised valve with three ports in the valve and a sensor on the cylinder where three wires are used, and C Plan has no motorised valves, and often no sensor on the cylinder.

Although there can be variations to each plan, the C plan can have a sensor on the cylinder for summer use only, or a sensor and motorised valve to allow the DHW to be cooler than the central heating water.

With the basic C plan you can't turn DHW off, the standard programmer has 16 options, cheat really as they count off, with either S or Y plan, but only 10 options with C plan.