joidevie

I'm trying to work out how this is wired up ? [IMG]http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll191/joiedevielf/avsocket.jpg[/IMG] I'm less interested in the ethernet part of it, but really the TV and SAT coaxial.. I have 2 lengths of coax coming into the box - one for the TV and one for the SAT. I can only see one hole for the centre core of the coax and that's on the SAT side ? Also, it seems all the 'outer' braided part of both incoming coaxes gets sandwiched into the same bit ? Sorry, I'm normally quite clever but this one's caught me out ! Many thanks...

Let's hope they are! Bon voyage... Et merci encore.. J

Well, my German didn't let me down and after a few conversations with central office, they duly called me back with a 'talk through' re-programing of the controler (something I could NEVER have done myself, nor available in the user manual) and it seems the initial settings were incorrectly entered (by the French technician?). Now, no noise (it was the circulation pump) unless the unit is actually in use or an anti freeze cycle is performed.. Very happy bunny indeed. Those Germans eh.. Rather a BMW than a Ford Escort..

Well, lucky I speak fluent German then as this model is not a UK spec.. I'm not sure if it's the fan or not, but something is constantly running, though not the burner.. Can't be too efficient on power either..

Thanks for all the replies. I've now bought the next regulator up from the standard one which I will have fitted soon. It will allow me to set times for both the heating and the hot water . However, I've just been away for 2 weeks, and as per the boiler instructions I left the mains power ON and switched to boiler to standby only (ie heating & hot water OFF, but standby power ON). The boiler seems to continue to 'run' in this mode - ie. it is constatnly running the fan (I think). The instructions implied leaving the boiler on standby would allow the motors to run 'occasionally' to avoid seizing etc. But running constatntly?? Does this seem right? This also disarms my plans to add a timer switch as it would seem even if the hot & heating are OFF (via the timer say) I'll still be left with the noise from the boiler during the night? My guess is that adding a timer to the main power circuit (ie to switch all power OFF to the boiler over night) would not be recommended? Any suggestions? Many thanks.

Great, thanks for the advice.. Spot on as ever..

Does anyone know of a product that will clean mortar splashes etc? I recently tiled a shower with a "cemi-joint rustique" (a gritty lime grout used with tavertine tiles), but splashes have dried on the ceramic shower tray. Scraping is taking forever and I'm worried about damaging the surface.. I beleive the above product is hydrochloric acid based ? Will this give me problems rinsing it down the plastic plumbing ? Many thanks..

[quote user="bourrut"]our pictures, always come without glass or backboard ,much lighter and easier to carry, we then buy cheap clip frames here in france, cut glass and backboard and job all done.[:)][/quote] Now that's an idea..

[quote user="bourrut"]our pictures, always come without glass or backboard ,much lighter and easier to carry, we then buy cheap clip frames here in france, cut glass and backboard and job all done.[:)][/quote] Now that's an idea..

[quote user="bourrut"]our pictures, always come without glass or backboard ,much lighter and easier to carry, we then buy cheap clip frames here in france, cut glass and backboard and job all done.[:)][/quote] Now that's an idea..

The pictures could be taped up before leaving.. I'm even toyng with removing the glass and having it cut when I get to France.. It really is anyone's guess what gets through, although Stansted seem the most sensible (Beware though, they are now asking what airline you are on before you get to the screening area - in the past I've been able to carry a very small laptop case separately as a 'handbag' - but they now insist on ONE item only) Carcassonne are the least consistent.. A few months ago I had a jar of honey (hard set Chestnut honey - yum) which got picked up, but after a convivial discussion with staff, I got it through on the premise that "it was such a good honey that it would be a shame to waste it"  ;o) A clutch for a 2CV (in a box) once also initially got stopped - a heavy item therefore a potential weapon. Again after some negotiation and allowing the guy to put a small piece of Sellotape over the opening of the box somehow made the 'weapon' no longer dangerous! Another time though I did have to check in a small hand jigsaw?? I intentionally brought NO blades with me.. Re. the pictures, maybe not going to risk it. A tip - I have recently been using DHL to send a box of posessions over to France - around 70x60x50cm and up to 29kg costs £21+ vat and takes 5 days. A lot easier as I use public transports at both ends and check in baggage is a complete pain!

I guess it's going to be nigh impossible to take framed pictures in hand luggage at Stansted? The glass will likely be classed as a "sharp" object ? Any thoughts..? Thanks

Thanks Gluestick.. A good answer which helps a little! Seperate zones, detectors are all wonderful, but I dare say expensive, impractical (for me..) and maybe overkill for a barn like mine.. You are quite right though that it seems this boiler will require nurturing and above all, not switching off the mains power when I leave the place empty for a month at a time. The manual says that the motors will 'turn' occasionally even when the "power button is switched off for 'holidays'" - but obviously only if the mains are 'on'.. Shame the basic "Vittronic 100" is missing such a simple thing as a timer! I am watching a "Vitronic 200" on Belgium Ebay which is 'new & unpacked' (not guaranteed, but looks to be kosher enough).. Which could save me loads.. But how to fit it ? It seems to simply replace the 100 which my plumber seemed to plug in to the boiler when he fitted it .. Although he is reluctant to touch the boiler now it has been 'comissioned' by the approved Veismann technicians.. (who never asked for the purchase reciept for the boiler it needs to be mentioned).. The boiler comissioning company did not charge for the initial setting up - and offer an annual service contract of €110 pa. Payable only after the first callout. I was hoping to sign the contract now, but not pay for say 11 months before the first 'annual' service is due.. I am genuinely trying to save here anything I can.. But maybe fitting a new controler (especially if bought at 'full cost') could be yet another cost to bear.. ? Thanks

I've been reading up on the diagnostic side of things, and seems a laptop is now required! I guess I'm still a little doubtful if the Vitotronic 200 is not a little over specified.. As I'm mainly interested in the timer function. The boiler is in a small shower room which stays very warm and the whole weather sensor thing?? The layout of the  property is  such that fitting a thermostat anywhere  could confuse the  boiler (the main living area is very high ceiling and open plan, whereas the bedrooms & bathrooms are much smaller and easier to heat. The radiators all have individual thermostats as well.. I guess I'm wondering whether I need a €200 unit - the existing one is already excellent for temperature regulation... It just does not have the timer facility? (which d o e s surprise me). Would a third party switch be available, and where in whole set up would it be wired? Thanks

You're right - worth the outlay. Suppose I've just been spending so much recently - so savings are always looked for.. I was going to sign a maintenance contract with a credited firm for annual service & breakdown cover, and they only begin to charge once the first callout is made, which I was hoping would be in 11 months time!

OK, nice link, better than I have found so far.. Sure there is a regulator, but only for water/heating temperature and Summer/Winter settings... .... Now, which one to go for and how much are they.. And can I fit a Viessmann one myself without invalidating any guarantees ot maintenance contracts - I've seen a 'new' as seen controler like this on Ebay/Belgium..

Hello everyone.. I have a simple(ish) question re. my new VEISSMANN VITOPEND 222 gas combi boiler. It powers both the wet central heating system and hot water supply, as well as having an integrated 40 litre hot water cylinder which is constantly kept ready for immediate use. It has been mounted in the en-suite shower room to a main bedroom. It seems in order to keep the cylinder hot, the burners and pump will kick in every now and then to maintain the temperature.. Something that is a little annoying during sleeping hours. Is this type of boiler able to accept an external 'timer' to regulate the hours? (my Worcester Bosch in the UK does for example, but does not have this 'built in' ballon..) Is there a timer that anyone can suggest that would be appropriate? As far as I can see the only power supply to the boiler is a 10amp electrical circuit. The manual makes no mention of a timer.. Although the technician who set it up  briefly mentioned something about  the possibility of fitting a timer.. I found these via the .pdf 'brochure' for the boiler - links to Canadian sites for a controler.. But are these overkill? I've not found any prices yet either.. My timer in the UK is on/off off/on with hours only.  I'm a little bewildered right now.. Reading around there are outdoor temperature controlled versions, solar, ?? http://www.viessmann-us.com/web/canada/ca_publish.nsf/Content/Vitotronic-Regelungstechnik-Kleinkesselprogramm_ca_english http://www.viessmann-us.com/web/canada/ca_publish.nsf/Content/Vitotronic300_ca_english http://www.viessmann-us.com/web/canada/ca_publish.nsf/Content/Vitotronic-Comparison_ca_english Thanks for any plain English suggestions - seems I can even regulate my boiler via the internet!

Hi... Any experiences on saving on electricity (apart from not using them!) with halogens ? I have around 12 lighting my ground floor, and they are definitely chewing up the watts. The LED energy savers are inadequate and the FLV type are too deep to fit.. I recently saw some "Save 15 %" Osrams (GU10) in a brico shop.. Are there any "conventional" efficient lamps on the market? Thanks for any ideas..

Thanks all - A chauffagiste came yesterday and spent 2hrs tinkering and adjusting and the boiler is working beautifully! I don't know how I've managed without for so long.. And what a classy boiler! Built in hot water cylinder for immediate access, and feels like something well made.. All plumbers I've spoken to rave about it. And I managed to pick it up on promo for a third off.. Seems the set up is paid for by the plumber's merchant / supplier and an annual contract for labour is optional with another company - For €110 a year which includes one visit a year for a service, seems like money well spent.. Anyone considering whether to go Gaz de Ville - I thoroughly recommend it (if you can get it!). Tariff is good as you can go 3KW on the electricity (gas cooker & heating) - so it's around €8 a month for both Gaz and Electricity abonnement.. Happy person indeed.

Thanks.. Although I think EDF were reachable, just not GDF.. And it was less the language issue - just the fact I couldn't call tham at all! All sorted now.. Phew..

Wow.. You're a better person than me! I even rang some 'local' contacts I was given by my Mairie, only to be told that '0810' numbers only!! Eventually I (reluctantly) got a friend in town to make a call - which took 4 calls and 2 hours which is exactly why I didn't want to ask the favour... A real issue, especially as the web site offers a service for "English customers" yet no number that can work! True, EDF & FT seemed to work on a UK land line at least, if not a voip..

Thanks.. No 'voucher', just a card to send to the manufacturer to register the boiler. To be filled out by the chauffage company.. So I guess this is in order to validate the 2 yr 'guarantee'. Otherwise, I'm out on my own.. Any 'risk' opinions on 'going it alone' ? - in the UK I've twice had boilers, each time gambled and been fine without having any horror repairs - only one fan to replace after 7 years which I did myself after I found one on the internet. Took 10 minutes to fit! I don't get the feeling that the contract is actually compulsory, apart from the manufacturer's cover..

Thanks Clair.. I've read that page before and it outlines all of the proceedures we have done - ie. the certificate de conformité and choosing my supplier ( GDF 'Dolcevita').. The GDF are coming today to fit the meter. My question was more directed at the boiler manufacturer's own warranty etc, and about a contract to validate this.. Especially when firing up the boiler for the first time etc.. Any one else been in this situation ? Thanks

Hi everyone.. My plumber has just fitted a new combi gaz boiler (Veissmann Vitopend 222 - rrp. €1800). He has now told me that I need to go to the suppliers to find a company to get a  "cotract de mise en service" - which sounds like a maintenance contract. The plumber seemed to imply this was "obligatoire" in order to validate the guarantee. Is this normal ? I would normall be a little scheptical about buying into such a contract.. Also, the boiler was bought a couple of years ago by a previous plumber who has since closed his business (it was on 'promo' at a verygood price) and kept (packaged and un-touiched) until now. I don't have the receipt, though the suppliers could in theory trace it through their accounts... Will this make the whole this problematic? And what might such a 'contract' cost? My plumber wasn't sure, maybe a 'one off' payment to come before the boiler is started up for the first time and then once a year etc.. I suppose a 'one off' of say €150 would seem OK, but every year would almost be worth the gamble.. I assume 'obligatoire' is more about the guarantee than any other commitmernt - we have a 'conformité' for the gaz installation itself.. Thanks for any experiences..

... Batiments de France.... Taxes Fonciere... Taxes d'habitation... I also see Mr Bricolage weathering the current credit crisis on this one! Maybe Monsieur Kerviel could help out...