Replacing a 30 yr old timer (Sangamo)..

[Cleaveland14]

the timer on our boiler has broken and we've been switching it on and off by the electricity switch, everything was put in 30 years ago although the boiler (gloworm ultimate) was replaced several years ago.

The only detail I can see on it is the name Sangamo, googling brought up a site selling that brand for £90 along with digital ones for as little as £14 - I was wondering do I need a particular type or are these things inter-changeable, and are they easy to install? I'm hoping I don't require any specialist knowledge your advice appreciated thankyou

(forget the jargon seen in other posts but the boiler isn't the type that provides instant hot water should that be pertinent)

 

[Terrywookfit]

No direct replacement is availlable for that model IIRC.

You will need to rewire the backplate.

 

[Cleaveland14]

No direct replacement is availlable for that model IIRC.

You will need to rewire the backplate.

thanks for the reply (couldn't respond sooner had a computer problem), rewiring the back plate doesn't sound too bad (I think ) are there any guides to doing it anywhere does anyone know? Heating system is old, boiler downstairs and there's a tank upstairs which i believe is something you don't have anymore, does this type of old system need a particular timer or can I use anything as long as backplate's wired correctly? Can live with it as it is for the time being just don't need any big bills right now

 

[D_Hailsham]

There will be plenty of timeswitch/programmers suitaboe for your purpose; it's a case of which one is the most appropriate. So, a quick question about your system

How do you control the time/temperature of your Hot Water?

 

[Cleaveland14]

There will be plenty of timeswitch/programmers suitaboe for your purpose; it's a case of which one is the most appropriate. So, a quick question about your system

How do you control the time/temperature of your Hot Water?

stick pins into the above sangama timer but I'm not necessarily looking for one like this, a digital one wouldn't confuse me and there is a honeywell thermostat in the living room (also ancient)

 

[D_Hailsham]

How do you control the time/temperature of your Hot Water?

stick pins into the above sangama timer

I was really meaning: do you have separate control over the Hot Water times and temperature?

From what you say, I assume that the HW temperature is controlled by the thermostat on the boiler and you can only have the CH on at the same time as the HW. Is this correct?

Do you have any motorized valves? If so what are they?

They look like this:

 

[Cleaveland14]

oh yes only CH and hot water together, there's no visible temperature control near the boiler, maybe there's buttons inside, rarely looked inside.
there's nothing really like the picture, there's these 2 things:

 

[D_Hailsham]

What do you do in the summer for HW? Is it just a case of turning the CH thermostat down in the hall, or wherever it is?

The top picture looks like a 2-port valve (the right one in my picture) on its side. The bottom picture looks like a pump.

Is the valve in the circuit to the HW cylinder? If so, you probably have a C-Plan.

If you just want to replace the Sangamo timeswitch, without bringing the controls up to current requirements (not compulsory ) you need a single channel timer. But, if you want to update all controls, you will have to provide more info.

Incidentally, there is a cover-plate, at the bottom front of the boiler, which hides the controls. The temperature is controlled by a dial.

 

[Cleaveland14]

What do you do in the summer for HW? Is it just a case of turning the CH thermostat down in the hall, or wherever it is?


Incidentally, there is a cover-plate, at the bottom front of the boiler, which hides the controls. The temperature is controlled by a dial.

yeah just turn the thermostat to zero, does that sound like I'm in albania? always been that way
I thought that thing was a pump but thought I'd bettr show you anyway - buttons on the inside, had a suspicion! this sounds terrible I know but I'm not actually the one that deals with all the buttons
I'll follow the maze of pipes and come back, I should be better prepared

 

[Cleaveland14]

 

[D_Hailsham]

Thanks for the pic; must have taken some time to draw!

You are right in thinking it's a bit Albanian, but that was the way thing were done 30 years ago.

The question is: do you just want to replace the Sangamo or do you want to spend a bit more bringing the system up to date?

The first can be done using a single channel timer from Drayton, Honeywell etc. The second option would need a two channel timer, cylinder thermostat, and a second valve. You would possibly need a plumber to install everything.

It's a case of how much you want to spend.

 

[Cleaveland14]

oh just replace the timer for the moment, anything more complicated than that will probably leave to a plumber at a later date I think
I just thought it probably wouldn't be a problem to replace it yourself as long as I actually bought the right thing (and wired it up properly!), thanks D

 

[twgas]

could always get a 2 channel prog and wire as old one then you're ready for an upgrade later without having to shell out for another timer, will save a few quid.

 

[D_Hailsham]

oh just replace the timer for the moment, anything more complicated than that will probably leave to a plumber at a later date I think
I just thought it probably wouldn't be a problem to replace it yourself as long as I actually bought the right thing (and wired it up properly!)

OK, That will save me asking irrelevant questions

Back plates (if you have one) are unique to each manufacturer, so it's not just a case of buying a new timer and plugging it in.

The first thing is to identify what the wires going to the Sangamo do. Can you trace each wire from Sangamo to the other end and post a list of what it does?

 

[Cleaveland14]

right, so don't forget to buy the backplate aswell. Had a quick look at some drayton/honeywell timers and the 1 or 2 channel types were about the same price so I suppose I could get a 2 channel and wire up as a 1 as long as I know what I'm doing will ahve to get back to you on the wiring, I probably won't be the one unscrewing it thanks