Replacing a 1970s cooker control

[mike004]

I'm currently refurbing my 1970s kitchen. The electric cooker control is a 1970s Crabtree unit with On/Off Cooker switch + integrated switched socket.
The equivalent modern cooker control is double-socket sized -- literally half the size of this unit.
So, I propose to remove the existing cooker control, remove the old back box, fit the new smaller back box and fill any voids with cement or plaster.
Any problems with this approach?

Thanks
Mike

 

[securespark]

You may find the cable(s) are not long enough.

You can still get Crabtree Cooker Control Units, just. I got one about a month ago.

Is it the 4520/(3)1??
http://www.rbstaronline.co.uk/acatalog/Crabtree_Cooker_Switches.html

 

[mike004]

You may find the cable(s) are not long enough.

You can still get Crabtree Cooker Control Units, just. I got one about a month ago.

Is it the 4520/(3)1??
http://www.rbstaronline.co.uk/acatalog/Crabtree_Cooker_Switches.html

This one looks very similar:
====
Crabtree 4520/1 Cooker control unit Ref: CRA4520/1
. Crabtree 4520/1 Cooker Panel
. 45A DP main switch with 13A Switch socket
. Marked Cooker
. Dimensions 168mm x 114mm
===
Mike

 

[JohnD]

I've got a couple of these

very annoyingly the box is bigger than a double socket, so nothing else seems to fit

have a look at the cable runs first. If you find yourself short of cable you could move the new box down a little bit to get a bit more slack.

I think chopping it out and mortaring in a new one is the way to go. Use at least one screw to prevent it moving or pulling out while you are working. You can pack soft mortar in from the front and push it over the top of the new box so it falls down and fills the gap at the back. Wet the hole first. IMO mortar is much better than plaster for this kind of thing. You can rub the surface back a bit with a sponge to give you a slight recess for a thin finish plaster or filler later.

 

[mike004]

I've got a couple of these

very annoyingly the box is bigger than a double socket, so nothing else seems to fit

have a look at the cable runs first. If you find yourself short of cable you could move the new box down a little bit to get a bit more slack.

I think chopping it out and mortaring in a new one is the way to go. Use at least one screw to prevent it moving or pulling out while you are working. You can pack soft mortar in from the front and push it over the top of the new box so it falls down and fills the gap at the back. Wet the hole first. IMO mortar is much better than plaster for this kind of thing. You can rub the surface back a bit with a sponge to give you a slight recess for a thin finish plaster or filler later.

I'll be tiling over it, so a neat finish isn't crucial.
I actually prefer the larger 1970s-style controls. My present one is a nice shade of beige...
Mike