Credanet Storage Heater installation
Published November 29, 2008 by Sean
Update 8Dec 09 Credanet Controller module for sale, little used, as new (and cheep since I have no use for it now).
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I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere with only electric heating, so I thought that an intelligent fan storage heater solution would be a good idea. When I first started using it, it seemed to work well, although I wasn’t sure it was saving much electricity.
I had some problems with it last year, and ended up doing a full system reset. It turns out that when they say ‘don’t switch off’ they really mean it. Powering down the system can result in it needing an installer-level reset, and of course the process is secret.
To reset a CNT18FW heater, first be very careful not to electrocute yourself. Switch off both supplies, and remove the lower pannel. Remove the 2 leads to the PCB from the room temperature sensor, and replace with a short between the two pins. Check nothing else is shorted, and power on. After 5-10 sec, the LED should flash, indicating the heater has been reset.
To reset the controller, dis-connect from the mains, ans set the battery switch off. Re-connect/disconnect again, and switch battery on. It should now be factory reset.
To enter installer mode,
Switch to ‘holiday’
Press 2,6,3,5,5.
Warm reset, press 3+9 together.
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Just in case you’re here wondering about the merits of the Credanet system, my impression (as a designer of embedded microcontrolers) is that the technology is just not understood by the people designing it. I didn’t notice any significant savings in energy use (being out most of the day), and ended up destroying the controler PCB in my heater. I replaced it with a homebrew version, and felt even more that storage heaters are not really a good option.
If you are in the position of having to work with a faulty Credanet system (and you don’t need my spare controller) I’d seriously consider looking at heat pump (GSHP) solutions. I am intending to do a new cost analysis soon (to compare with the 2002 quote of £7000 I had for an oil system)
http://members.multimania.co.uk/jprdesign/cn_flt1.htm for comprehensive fault-finding info.