Replacing an EPH Ember with a Drayton Wiser Kit 3

[joec_85]

I'd appreciate some advice on the following setup.

I currently have an EPH Ember "smart" system consisting of 2 heating zones (combi boiler so no water) and two wireless thermostats. I'd like to replace it with the Drayton Wiser Kit 3.

The EPH wiring looks like this:

which looks like this on the controller backplate:

So, other than the L & N terminals, pins 3 & 4 are the zone 1 and 2 switches, respectively.

The Drayton wiring looks like this:

I appreciate that the wiring centre in the Drayton documentation is different but, as I'm going to be retaining the EPH wiring centre, vales, pump, etc, is it simply a case of replacing the backplate, moving wire 3 > pin 1 and wire 4 > pin 3 and replacing the programmer?

I can't see why I would need to do anything more but it just seems too easy...

Thanks for your help.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I can't see why I would need to do anything more but it just seems too easy...

It certainly looks that easy!
Give it a go

 

[ian1182]

That's it. Occasionally the planets all align

You may not even need to replace the backplate. Just move the connections as you indicated (3->1 & 4->3).

Naturally enough the Wiser will have a phantom channel for Hot Water which can be ignored.

 

[joec_85]

Worked a charm, thanks guys.

I DID replace the back panel as I thought my OCD would annoy me having a white backplate and a black programmer... before I realised you couldn't actually see it once the programmer goes back on. Oh well, it kept me quiet for a bit...

 

[Darbyshire]

Hi, first time poster - I've fitted the Drayton Wiser kit 1 a few times in the past but now have the kit 3 to install as we've moved house and now have split upstairs and downstairs system. Combi boiler so no need for the HW aspect.

There are two receivers next to the boiler which pick up the signal from the wirelss room stats, they both wire intona wiring box.

My thoughts are to wire the Drayton Hub into the two wires that currently go to the receivers. I was thinking if I wire both L and N wires together into the L and N then the orange wires into 1 and 3 for the CH, I'm then left with the grey COM wire..

Would it be right in thinking i can just disconnect that one?

Thanks in advance for any help

Just waiting to boost my wifi signal as it currently doesn't reach the garage where the boiler and currentbset up is

 

[Stuckinarut]

Sounds good to me. Common not used as the Wiser switches internally, so not needed. I’m curious as to why the kit 3 when surely a kit 2 would suffice?

 

[Darbyshire]

Sounds good to Mel. Common not used as the Wiser switches internally, so not needed. I’m curious as to why the kit 3 when surely a kit 2 would suffice?

Thanks pal, I thought the kit 2 was for one CH channel and one HW. I'm probably wrong though.. the wiser website suggested for a split two circuit system I'd need the kit 3.

I've got the wifi booster now so will give it all a go tomorrow

 

[Stuckinarut]

Thanks pal, I thought the kit 2 was for one CH channel and one HW. I'm probably wrong though.. the wiser website suggested for a split two circuit system I'd need the kit 3.

I've got the wifi booster now so will give it all a go tomorrow

Yes it is more for hot water, but 2 channels. The Wiser doesn’t know what it’s switching apart from volatges.

 

[Darbyshire]

Yes it is more for hot water, but 2 channels. The Wiser doesn’t know what it’s switching apart from volatges.

Gotcha, I'd have had to buy an extra room stats i guess.. I'll post my results tomorrow, cheers for the advice

 

[RandomGrinch]

Yes it is more for hot water, but 2 channels. The Wiser doesn’t know what it’s switching apart from volatges.

Whether or not it would be suitable for a second heating channel, Drayton certainly don't want you to use it!

 

[RandomGrinch]

My thoughts are to wire the Drayton Hub into the two wires that currently go to the receivers. I was thinking if I wire both L and N wires together into the L and N then the orange wires into 1 and 3 for the CH, I'm then left with the grey COM wire..

I would just like to confirm with a look in the wiring centre first?
Rather than trying to connect the two existing cables into the Wiser, it may be quite simple to rationalise the wiring into a single cable.
It may also be a poor idea to leave two potentially live grey wires hanging around!

 

[Darbyshire]

I would just like to confirm with a look in the wiring centre first?
Rather than trying to connect the two existing cables into the Wiser, it may be quite simple to rationalise the wiring into a single cable.
It may also be a poor idea to leave two potentially live grey wires hanging around!

Yep i see what you're saying, the L and N wires will undoubtedly come from the same place and if I'm binning off the COM then there's a spare wire

 

[RandomGrinch]

Yep i see what you're saying, the L and N wires will undoubtedly come from the same place and if I'm binning off the COM then there's a spare wire

There's also the (very slight) possibility that the receivers are using the "volt free" contacts for a reason.
For instance, some new builds we've seen on here have used a 'low' voltage ESI wiring centre.
A quick look, should rule that out.

 

[Darbyshire]

There's also the (very slight) possibility that the receivers are using the "volt free" contacts for a reason.
For instance, some new builds we've seen on here have used a 'low' voltage ESI wiring centre.
A quick look, should rule that out.

Ah thanks RandomGrinch, I'll have a good look tomorrow. It's a Salus wiring centre for what that's worth because it just looks like a plastic box with connector blocks inside. Thanks again