Replacing Honeywell wireless receiver with a Hive

[oxfordmark]

Hi all

I have a combo boiler. A Nest controls our radiators and the Honeywell our Underfloor heating. So the cabling is spurred from the boiler already.

I want to replace the Honeywell wireless receiver for a Hive.

This is the current wiring for the Honeywell. Is it a straight forward change?

Would be great full of some guidance.

 

[RandomGrinch]

This is the current wiring for the Honeywell. Is it a straight forward change?

Yes, it is straightforward (assuming a single channel Hive).

The Blue wire in N on the Honeywell, would move to N on the Hive receiver backplate.
The Brown wire in L to L.
The Black wire in B to terminal 3.
The short Brown link wire would connect L and terminal 1.
The Green/Yellow wire would ideally park in the Hives earth terminal.

Although, out of interest, do you mind if I ask why you chose to go with a Hive, instead of another Nest and keep the controls unified under one app?

 

[oxfordmark]

Yes, it is straightforward (assuming a single channel Hive).

The Blue wire in N on the Honeywell, would move to N on the Hive receiver backplate.
The Brown wire in L to L.
The Black wire in B to terminal 3.
The short Brown link wire would connect L and terminal 1.
The Green/Yellow wire would ideally park in the Hives earth terminal.

Although, out of interest, do you mind if I ask why you chose to go with a Hive, instead of another Nest and keep the controls unified under one app?

The cost, was cheaper getting the Hive. Mainly use Alex to control all our house smart things.

When you say single channel, do you mean only heating button on the receiver?

 

[RandomGrinch]

When you say single channel, do you mean only heating button on the receiver?

Yep, also known as Hive for combi.

The cost, was cheaper getting the Hive. Mainly use Alex to control all our house smart things.

Thanks, that's interesting to know. Some consider Hive to be a rather basic stat compared to Nest i.e. not supporting opentherm, but it does have a few functions that Nest doesn't.
And I guess having both thermostats controlled by one app, isn't everything

 

[oxfordmark]

Yep, also known as Hive for combi.


Thanks, that's interesting to know. Some consider Hive to be a rather basic stat compared to Nest i.e. not supporting opentherm, but it does have a few functions that Nest doesn't.
And I guess having both thermostats controlled by one app, isn't everything

Yes the receiver only has a fire button.

I have a smart meter so get gas usage via them various apps

Thanks for your help, will let you know how it goes.

 

[oxfordmark]

Aborted the job, was too nervous

Might try tomorrow.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Aborted the job, was too nervous

Might try tomorrow.

No need to be nervous
I'm sure someone will be around if you need us!
If you want some reassurance, post a pic when you're done, and we can have a quick check before turning the power back on.

 

[Stuckinarut]

Aborted the job, was too nervous

Might try tomorrow.

What are you nervous about?

 

[oxfordmark]

What are you nervous about?

Doing it wrong. But it seems so easy

 

[Stuckinarut]

Doing it wrong. But it seems so easy

It is relatively easy to someone who has done a few, but take your time and as per @RandomGrinch post a photo of the wiring should you wish/need to to clarify before turning the power back on.

 

[oxfordmark]

What’s the worst that could happen?

Blow the boiler? Or would it just not work?

 

[Stuckinarut]

What’s the worst that could happen?

The worst that is likely to happen is blow the pcb on the boiler, but this is rare if you don’t know what to do and Sound wiring advice has been given to prevent this

Or would it just not work?

Best case scenario. As above, you’ve been given sound wiring advice. If you want to do it we can build you to try and ensure you don’t cause harm. It’s simple enough and you’re only changing the wiring from one receiver to another, so you’re likely to be able to do it.

 

[oxfordmark]

The worst that is likely to happen is blow the pcb on the boiler, but this is rare if you don’t know what to do and Sound wiring advice has been given to prevent this

Best case scenario. As above, you’ve been given sound wiring advice. If you want to do it we can build you to try and ensure you don’t cause harm. It’s simple enough and you’re only changing the wiring from one receiver to another, so you’re likely to be able to do it.

If the PCB blew, is it a write off or needing an expert to fix it?

It’s one of them things where it’s 99% going to work but always that doubt

 

[ericmark]

Of the three wires, no combination is likely to damage the boiler in your case, so would not really worry.

Although, out of interest, do you mind if I ask why you chose to go with a Hive, instead of another Nest and keep the controls unified under one app?

I also have two makes, Nest and Wiser, but these all can be worked with Google Home app in my case, so only one app for all my smart devices, the same with Alexa, one app works all.

Interesting as to compare linking to TRV heads v works with OpenTherm, think personally linking to TRV heads is more important.

However yes I am nervous of working on a central heating system in winter specially the weekend, as need to fix fast, and finding some one on a weekend not easy. And yes when I fitted Wiser (same back plate as Hive so same connections) I did find a fault, the heating would not turn off, however this was nothing to do with fitting Wiser, it was a micro switch stuck in a motorised valve, which was likely there before I started, just I had not realised the fault existed before I started work.

But what I can't work out, is how Hive works with UFH? this may look like a TRV head, but it is hard wired, not sure if you can replace them with smart TRV heads?

Underfloor heating is very slow to react, I found out in mothers wet room, it needs to go on hours before it is required, and geofencing is in the main activated when one is nearly home, I tried it with Nest and Energenie, and in both cases, it detects one is near home far too late, handy to auto turn off heating when you leave home, but needs manual intervention to turn it back on in time for your return.

So back to basic question, why do you want to change to Hive, what will it do, that the system you have will not do?

 

[oxfordmark]

Of the three wires, no combination is likely to damage the boiler in your case, so would not really worry.

I also have two makes, Nest and Wiser, but these all can be worked with Google Home app in my case, so only one app for all my smart devices, the same with Alexa, one app works all.

Interesting as to compare linking to TRV heads v works with OpenTherm, think personally linking to TRV heads is more important.

However yes I am nervous of working on a central heating system in winter specially the weekend, as need to fix fast, and finding some one on a weekend not easy. And yes when I fitted Wiser (same back plate as Hive so same connections) I did find a fault, the heating would not turn off, however this was nothing to do with fitting Wiser, it was a micro switch stuck in a motorised valve, which was likely there before I started, just I had not realised the fault existed before I started work.

But what I can't work out, is how Hive works with UFH? View attachment 363919 this View attachment 363920 may look like a TRV head, but it is hard wired, not sure if you can replace them with smart TRV heads?

Underfloor heating is very slow to react, I found out in mothers wet room, it needs to go on hours before it is required, and geofencing is in the main activated when one is nearly home, I tried it with Nest and Energenie, and in both cases, it detects one is near home far too late, handy to auto turn off heating when you leave home, but needs manual intervention to turn it back on in time for your return.

So back to basic question, why do you want to change to Hive, what will it do, that the system you have will not do?

Want to be able to control our UFH from an app, rather than the dumb thermostats