Electrically heated towel rail - Thermostatic element + timer

[Sam Plusnet]

I want to install an electrically heated towel rail in the bathroom - running it from the CH is not practical.

I would like to use a Terma thermostatic element like

because it gives more control over my Electricity Bill.

But the better half also wants me to fit a 24 hour timer so it can pre- heat in the mornings.

see

If I fit the timer, then the Terma will keep being switched off & on. I imagine that this means it will forget any settings.

Would it be better to just fit a 'dumb' thermostatic element?

I'm not the first to do this, so I'd like to hear what others have done & how well it worked out.

[Bob Minchin]

Not necessarily, many devices can remember the setting during power cuts etc. Check with the manufacturer or maybe find somewhere to download the instruction which might tell you the answer.

[chris French]

In message , Sam Plusnet writes

Not sure what you mean by a 'dumb' one, and I don't know if that one forgets where it is set. But I've fitted one with a little manual dial thermostat. (CH towel rad so mine is just for the summer so haven't decided what control I will use yet. Thinking I might just use a boost switch so it will automatically turn off)

No idea how well it works as the system isn't back up and running yet.

I bought this, there are other wattages and white ones etc.

[Sam Plusnet]

By a 'dumb' one I mean one with a bi-metal strip type thermostat. Switching the power off wouldn't have any effect on its settings, but it does relatively crude temperature control (overshoots & undershoots with a fair amount of hysteresis).

Thanks for the link, I'll have a nose through that website.

[Sam Plusnet]

I did try, but the manufacturer's information (product description & installation instructions) I was able to find made no mention of it. As manufacturers are usually keen to tell you all about the wonders of their product, I suspect it doesn't remember much.

[Dave Liquorice]

How much!

But do you want to pre-heat at the same time *every* morning? Get aroundable with a 7 day timer to some extent. Personally I'd just go for a suitably sized heater(*) and one of the controllers that give you a timed on period when you want it. Most give you a selection of "on" periods, from 30 min to 3 hours witha couple of intermediate steps. Can't be "accidentally" left on like a time switch put into manual because you are late up and it's gone off...

(*) Not sure if this is a stand alone towel rail or one also part of the CH system. The latter probably doesn't need a stat as the heat losses from a radiator/towel rail sized to heat the room will be huge compared to the electrical input.

[Nick]

This looks identical to a TERMA unit that I use in a heated towel rail. Controlled by Sangamo time switch. It heats in the morning and evening. It remembers all settings. HTH, Nick.

[Sam Plusnet]

Thanks Nick.

I read all through the technical stuff I could find on the Terma website & they didn't mention that fact that the memory is no-volatile - very strange since most firms want to hit you over the head with all the good stuff about their products.

[jdbaska1]

Terma heating elements like MEG, MOA and their KTX range will remember las t settings used. Even if the power supply is cut off. These are microchip b ased products. Heating is electronically controlled. Some devices offer mor e than just a temperature control. MOA is a neat, small device with 2hrs b ooster/timer. KTX3 offers simple daily timer and dryer function. KTX4 has an infrared functionality allowing you to control heating element via exter nal infrared controller (flexible programmes). Terma's website is worth a v isit at