Horstmann H27XL Programmer, Multi

Product Information

Government regulations on the installation of heating controls as detailed in Part L of the new Building Regulations, the Horstmann Controls ChannelPlus H37 XL electronic programmer provides a fully compliant solution. Among the best known Horstmann products is the 425 range of electro-mechanical time clocks, with models including the Coronet time switch, and Tiara and Diadem twin channel programmers.

This means you don't have to disconnect and reconnect any of the wires coming into the back part, which is really only a terminal board. We inherited an older one of the same model which I found very difficult to use: the buttons took a very long time to react, and every time there was a tiny power cut or surge the device would lose the programming which had taken me ages to enter. This product has now been replaced by the: Horstmann (Secure) 2 Channel Receiver Smart Programmable Thermostat (C1727).Fortunately as I was no longer struggling with worn-out buttons and a dead internal battery, putting in the settings I wanted was much quicker than with the old device.

The ChannelPlus H27XL timeswitch has a boost function for 1 or 2 hour boosts as well as an advance button to move onto the next stage in the programme.I currently have a Horstmann H27XL programmer, as shown in the attached photo, a Bermuda Baxi boiler and a hot water cylinder which is in a cupboard upstairs. I got this as a replacement for an identical controller, due to the battery having run out on the previous unit. Throughout the years Horstmann have pioneered many innovative products for central heating and hot water control, including the UK’s first purpose designed central heating programmers (Potterton 411), the first time clock with a standardised, universally interchangeable back plate, and the UK’s first three channel programmer, followed later by a four channel programmer. I imagine the battery is there to keep the timer settings in the event of the power cut, but once the battery is done, that's it - the H27XL is dead.

Hopefully, since the device should no longer keep losing its settings I won't have to set the timings again for quite a while.But after speaking to Horstmann because there was no wiring diagram in the box they informed I needed to use all the terminals. Established in 1854 as a manufacturer of clocks, today Horstmann are a leading manufacturer of heating and hot water controls based in Bristol.

For example they mention it's easy to install and program, has great features, and fits to the exact same back plate.

Eventually I realised that the internal battery, which is non-replaceable, must be dead, because it was supposed to be able to keep its programming during power cuts. Delivered as a direct replacement for a failed unit that had done marathon service, on fitting it was discovered one of the little clips for the front was broken and the unit doesn't light up when you press a button making programming difficult.