Replacement Thermostat for Ferroli MAXIMA 35 C

[markjg123]

My son has a Ferroli MAXIMA 35 C boiler. At least I think that's the model from an online search. Photo attached so maybe someone can confirm. It's pretty old looking but has actually been pretty reliable, despite the poor reputation Ferroli seems to have online.

He can't afford to replace it but would like to replace the thermostat with something easier to programme. He doesn't need to be able to switch the heating on or off when he's out, so not looking at a Hive type thermostat. Just something with an easy to use 7 day timer.

The current thermostat is located directly below the boiler, which makes me think it might be hard wired although he said there's no sign of wiring. See photos.

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced and easy to install wireless replacement?

 

[cross thread]

A Hive would Bea straight swap for the existing clock .
Hive mini around £100

 

[markjg123]

A Hive would Bea straight swap for the existing clock .
Hive mini around £100

Is it one that can be easily wired in by ourselves? I've seen an even cheaper version around £60 that doesn't have the hub. I presume the hub is only required if you want to control from your phone.

 

[ericmark]

That looks like a programmer to me, not a thermostat? Both Hive and Wiser use the same back plate, so no wiring to do, release screws, and un-clip one and clip in the other. The idea of the hub is so the thermostat can be placed where it best monitors room temperature, I did fit a cheap thermostat in mother house and it lost the radio link, slowly having to move it closer and closer to the receiver. Used many hard wired cheap thermostats worked well, but one shown was hard to set, had to leave instructions with thermostat as could never remember how to set it. These

were easy, but not programmable, but designed to fail safe, if no signal in ½ hour they would turn off (fail safe) and batteries lasted for years.

The Drayton Wiser can have a wall thermostat, but not required, it can used the TRV heads, but the display only shows when I press O in centre, where the Nest auto displays as you walk to it, and so easy turning the outer dial. Would not recommend Nest as does not connect to TRV heads, but just trying to show the vast array of options.

I have used, all the above, and lived in three houses, with gas and oil, modulating and non modulating, and what worked great in one house, has not worked that well with another, mothers house with modulating boiler, and programmable TRV heads did not really need a wall thermostat, but same system did not work well here.

This is the report from my TRV, you can see the saw tooth pattern, caused because my boiler does not modulate being oil fired, it just turns on/off, with on/off where the thermostat is placed becomes rather important, I tried moving the Wiser thermostat around, since on a little stand, but the cat slept on it cooling the house down, that was the last fault I expected.

 

[markjg123]

That looks like a programmer to me, not a thermostat? Both Hive and Wiser use the same back plate, so no wiring to do, release screws, and un-clip one and clip in the other. The idea of the hub is so the thermostat can be placed where it best monitors room temperature, I did fit a cheap thermostat in mother house View attachment 363790 and it lost the radio link, slowly having to move it closer and closer to the receiver. Used many hard wired cheap thermostats View attachment 363791worked well, but one shown was hard to set, had to leave instructions with thermostat as could never remember how to set it. These View attachment 363793were easy, but not programmable, but designed to fail safe, if no signal in ½ hour they would turn off (fail safe) and batteries lasted for years. View attachment 363794 The Drayton Wiser can have a wall thermostat, but not required, it can used the TRV heads, but the display only shows when I press O in centre, where the Nest View attachment 363796 auto displays as you walk to it, and so easy turning the outer dial. Would not recommend Nest as does not connect to TRV heads, but just trying to show the vast array of options.

I have used, all the above, and lived in three houses, with gas and oil, modulating and non modulating, and what worked great in one house, has not worked that well with another, mothers house with modulating boiler, and programmable TRV heads did not really need a wall thermostat, but same system did not work well here.

This View attachment 363800 is the report from my TRV, you can see the saw tooth pattern, caused because my boiler does not modulate being oil fired, it just turns on/off, with on/off where the thermostat is placed becomes rather important, I tried moving the Wiser thermostat around, since on a little stand, but the cat slept on it cooling the house down, that was the last fault I expected.

I think you're right about the programmer. Just slightly better than the basic pin dial.

Sorry for being dumb, but I didn't understand what you meant about simply clipping in a Hive. Do you mean the wireless receiver could simply replace that old programmer unit? Then the hub plugs into the router and the thermostat goes wherever it's best placed.

 

[ericmark]

I will assume the same as Wiser, as that is what I have fitted, and the hub simply replaces the old programmer, assuming the programmer is single channel, and old thermostat if there is one, turned to max.

The thermostat is linked to the internet using a phone or tablet, will not work with a PC, you download the app and follow the instructions, I have also linked to google home so I can use voice commands with my Nest Mini's, but it will still work without all of this, however my regular visitors have the google Home app linked to my house, so they can adjust lights, thermostats, etc, all with one app.

Not tried geofencing it is IFTTT but don't need it, so not set up.

 

[Stuckinarut]

I think you're right about the programmer. Just slightly better than the basic pin dial.

Sorry for being dumb, but I didn't understand what you meant about simply clipping in a Hive. Do you mean the wireless receiver could simply replace that old programmer unit? Then the hub plugs into the router and the thermostat goes wherever it's best placed.

Ideally, he would want a thermostat for slightly better control, but yes, what is under the boiler is a single channel time clock/switch, Looks like a Drayton. A lot of manufacturers started to use what’s called an industry standard backplate, so the plate stays on the wall for easy installation and a new one with the same backplate can be fitted.

 

[markjg123]

Ideally, he would want a thermostat for slightly better control, but yes, what is under the boiler is a single channel time clock/switch, Looks like a Drayton. A lot of manufacturers started to use what’s called an industry standard backplate, so the plate stays on the wall for easy installation and a new one with the same backplate can be fitted.

So a compatible receiver just connects to the existing backplate via pins without the need for any additional wiring? Then presumably there's a smart thermostat to pair with it?

Would this be suitable?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-digistat-1-channel-wireless-universal-thermostat-with-optional-app-control/857PR?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAl4a6BhBqEiwAqvrqunlgaBBN_bR_O0L128eSLSaPagdJSkwWZLk_sRdiMufZ9AM2-qd0VhoCTaQQAvD_BwE

 

[Stuckinarut]

So a compatible receiver just connects to the existing backplate via pins without the need for any additional wiring?

Usually yes, but would double check the wiring. There’ll be a diagram on the rear of the existing time switch.

Then presumably there's a smart thermostat to pair with it?

Programmable room thermostat should suffice, which comes as a package, often pre-paired.

Can you recommend any models please?

Depends on budget. The Drayton digistat 901RF is approx £70 give or take (everywhere sells at different prices, like most things). Plenty of brands to choose from, but stay clear of cheap Chinese rubbish, Salus are reportedly dire as are Secure/Horstmann. HTH? I like Neomitis and Drayton. Honeywell aren’t what they used to be.