I have been using it for over 4 years and find it fine. It just works. I had initial problems when I first installed it in December 2014 but they were really my own errors. Similar to the issues you recount. I did not read the installation instructions properly. Having said that I think they could be much clearerOriginally Posted by Manorside
When I tested mine a couple of years ago it would run for 3 hours off the dock before any low battery warning and another 3 hours complaining about low battery before it actually shut down.
10 minutes is not normal. Are you sure the batteries aren't faulty ? How long have you had the system ?
Sorry for taking so long to reply but I think I finally have the system working with no more boiler relay error messages. I tried calling Honeywell technical help line a couple of times and the ‘experts’ kept telling me that they had never heard of this problem before, finally I talked to someone who had seen the problem before and he talked me through unbinding and rebinding both the hot water and the boiler relays. Touch wood it seems to have worked !
The system was bought in early 2017 but not commissioned until summer 2018.
I might try buying some new good quality AA rechargeable batteries, hopefully they will last a lot longer.
My Plumber over ordered the kit and I’m left with a generation2 wi fi hub and controller and a hot water kit that is surplus and unused, I guess I’ll put them on eBay and try to recoup a few pounds !
Apart from the rechargeables in the controller, don’t use rechargeable batteries in Evohome equipment. Use good quality alkaline batteries eg Duracell or Energiser - or even Lithium cells. I replace them all during the Autumn half term every year, in preparation for the heating system’s busy time of year. I shop around online and can buy branded cells in bulk for around the same price as own brand types bought in twos and fours in the supermarket. The used cells go into a container for reuse in less critical equipment like toys, trashy Christmas lights etc. It’s a much more efficient use of my time and, because it’s done at a time of my choosing rather than at several random times through the year, I can do it methodically rather than in a rush at a probably inconvenient time. Note that you need to tell the system (via the controller’s installer menu) which type of batteries you are using in Evo rad valves.
I agree, avoid rechargeables. Their voltage is often slightly less. I change mine once a year. Have a diary note to remind me. I use the Industrial batteries, orange colour, which I buy in bulk from Amazon. They are in fact Duracells but cheaper.
I'm using Lithium for all the HR9s2 now. You can pick up Energizers for a fairly reasonable price if you buy in bulk.
Lithium here too!
I replaced all rad valve batteries with Lithiums last October. As I mentioned earlier, I usually replace batteries en mass in Autumn half term - but I'm going to see it I can get 2 years from these. If so, they will be cost effective compared with alkalines which usually give up after about 15-20 months in my experience, so long as I continue to go for bulk buying as you suggest. The main thing for me is to avoid having to drop everything and replace batteries one valve at a time every few months.
The biggest challenge is actually knowing that they need replacing! Unless you happen to glance at the controller screen, or the HR92 display, you have no way of knowing. It would be nice if Honeywell's servers emailed you to tell you!
(That said, because I monitor all the radio traffic, I decode the battery level data and do get email notifications!)
Agree , I get the Fault log on the controller complaining about low voltage batteries even though the HR92 is showing 1 or 2 bars and the off load voltage is 1.2 volts.
Found the original Alkalines lasted 15/24 months ; have replaced them with lithiums bought loose at a decent price.
I did remember to change the battery type on the HR92 !
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