Swapping a timer for a switch

[PCSB]

I am thinking of swapping out the timer on the immersion heater for a simple switch. It is a 1KW immersion and is only powered when on mains and has a seperate RCD. I'm thinking this or similar would be ok? ... British General Nexus Metal 20A 1-Gang DP Control Switch Brushed Steel with LED | Switches | Screwfix.com It is what I would use on land fwiw ...

TIA

Paul.

 

[Tracy D'arth]

3 minutes ago, PCSB said:

I am thinking of swapping out the timer on the immersion heater for a simple switch. It is a 1KW immersion and is only powered when on mains and has a seperate RCD. I'm thinking this or similar would be ok? ... British General Nexus Metal 20A 1-Gang DP Control Switch Brushed Steel with LED | Switches | Screwfix.com It is what I would use on land fwiw ...

TIA

Paul.

 

Excellent choice, go to it.

[PCSB]

2 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Excellent choice, go to it.

Ta, will do

[Samp94]

Just fitted one of these myself, for my newly installed immersion 

[jonathanA]

You can get some marked up immersion  or water heater for a similar price but not in the nice brushed metal finish of course 

[Ex Brummie]

1 hour ago, jonathanA said:

You can get some marked up immersion  or water heater for a similar price but not in the nice brushed metal finish of course 

But if you've only got one switch, you'll know what it's for.

[GUMPY]

ignore that I didn't spot the led 

 

Edited September 4, 2022 by Loddon

[jonathanA]

27 minutes ago, Ex Brummie said:

But if you've only got one switch, you'll know what it's for.

Yes you might but the next person probably won't... just look in the new boater threads if your not convinced... 😜

[ditchcrawler]

3 minutes ago, jonathanA said:

Yes you might but the next person probably won't... just look in the new boater threads if your not convinced... 😜

But when they ask us we will know the answer. What's this metal Clad switch for with a light on it? Its for your immersion heater.

[blackrose]

Ok I'll be the one to ask... What's wrong with the timer? Mine has a switch, so if I want I can just leave the timer on permanently and manually switch the immersion on & off.

[Alan de Enfield]

Mine just has a 3-pin plug on the end of the wire (with a label on the plug-top saying "Immersion"). I can either plug it directly into the socket and switch it on & off as desired, or I can plug the timer into the socket and then plug the immersion plug into the timer.

 

Simples.

[blackrose]

So if the OP can't manually switch the immersion on/off then wouldn't it be better to add a switch to his timer rather than replace the timer with a switch?

[PCSB]

18 hours ago, blackrose said:

Ok I'll be the one to ask... What's wrong with the timer? Mine has a switch, so if I want I can just leave the timer on permanently and manually switch the immersion on & off.

It has a switch on it, but it is tiny and feels as though it will break anytime soon. Also it is a bu&&er to switch off. The timer function is useless as once off mains (and we are regularly) as the timer stops. Just easier and simpler to have a switch.

[Alan de Enfield]

11 minutes ago, PCSB said:

The timer function is useless as once off mains (and we are regularly)

 

Are you running your immersion heater off batteries (via an Inverter) ?

[PCSB]

43 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Are you running your immersion heater off batteries (via an Inverter) ?

No, it is wired seperate to the inverter. It would muller the batteries too I think.

[Alan de Enfield]

6 minutes ago, PCSB said:

No, it is wired seperate to the inverter. It would muller the batteries too I think.

 

I'm not sure I am understading the set-up.

 

You are using your inverter to power the Immersion, or you are not ?

If not, and you are cruising with no shore line available where is the power source ?

[PCSB]

3 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I'm not sure I am understading the set-up.

 

You are using your inverter to power the Immersion, or you are not ?

If not, and you are cruising with no shore line available where is the power source ?

Not using the inverter, the immersion only works when plugged in to shore power. Not sure where the confusion comes from, perhaps the bit about the timer. The timer also only works when on shore power. It is a faff to use and so will be changed. When cruising I don't need the inverter as the engine will heat the water.

 

[Alan de Enfield]

2 minutes ago, PCSB said:

Not using the inverter, the immersion only works when plugged in to shore power. Not sure where the confusion comes from, perhaps the bit about the timer. The timer also only works when on shore power. It is a faff to use and so will be changed. When cruising I don't need the inverter as the engine will heat the water.

 

 

 

Sorry my misunderstanding when you said :

 

 

1 hour ago, PCSB said:

The timer function is useless as once off mains (and we are regularly) as the timer stops. Just easier and simpler to have a switch.

 

Which I read as, when cruising (off the mains) it was easier to have on on/off switch.

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, PCSB said:

Not using the inverter, the immersion only works when plugged in to shore power. Not sure where the confusion comes from, perhaps the bit about the timer. The timer also only works when on shore power. It is a faff to use and so will be changed. When cruising I don't need the inverter as the engine will heat the water.

 

I know what you are saying. 

[Sea Dog]

18 hours ago, PCSB said:

It has a switch on it, but it is tiny and feels as though it will break anytime soon. Also it is a bu&&er to switch off. The timer function is useless as once off mains (and we are regularly) as the timer stops. Just easier and simpler to have a switch.

There are, of course, also other timers which are perhaps better suited. I changed my switch to a press button timer, repeat presses select 15, 30, 60 or 120 mins, a single press again goes to off. They also do a 30, 60, 120, 240 mins (or similar) version.  Not trying to persuade you - just another option.