The product is used to increase the heating comfort with customizable time-phased preferences and to reduce heating energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary heating or overheating. The EQ-3 "Classic" (or "Eco") in itself makes a good impression: The control buttons are of size, pressure point and functionally pleasant, the wheel that lets you regulate diverse values, is (very) smoothly and accurately, the display to show the values and functional control of the heater after a brief alignment phase evenly and effectively. Alternatively, provide the radio-sister models "Comfort" or "Premium" depending on the specific use of some benefits.
Device and delivery:
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The housing and all exterior parts are made entirely of plastic, which indeed makes a good impression, for an apartment in a high standard, it would be but certainly a small break in style. The controller is (as comparable models) massive and longer than a standard controller, which should be considered beforehand. Possibly can be achieved by creative positioning or "twisted" Installing the controller also installed in difficult corners, so dominates the display (upper) side, the housing, the valve port axis clearly less than "down" toward (but if the screen is not aligned to the top is reading and the operation will be very difficult) again.
Attached are also adapter (also plastic) for other valve types (VA Danfoss), a clear and quite user-friendly manual (German / English. / French / ned.) And 2 Duracell batteries for immediate use.
Neither keys nor adapters and battery compartment would have noticed something negative in terms of quality.
Mounting / installation:
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The Assembly is in principle (especially for modern valves with screw threads) and easily can be performed during operation. However, this requires that the radiator has an inlet valve with a regulation on a (metal) pin. For Danfoss RA, RAV, RAVL adapters are also (again made of plastic) settled. The Assembly is sufficiently described for the normal case in the instructions - in fact is simply the old regulator removed (unscrewed) and the new screwed (with or without adapter).
Older radiator valves, for example, from the seventies, which are not suitable for self-regulating thermostats common type (where, for example, yet easy to set up on a square screw the inflow or is turned off, without any temperature feedback) you can probably not converted by a simple exchange, the controller can not be installed by any adapter in my opinion also. Here probably helps only a replacement of the valve pipe section by an expert (not even try! Heating water is extremely hot and can cause severe burns with mortal danger!).
Possible problems with installation:
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Danfoss RAV:
depending on the circumstances of a valve Danfoss RAV the provided placer for the valve pin may need to be shortened, so that the controller can actually close the radiator inflow completely. In my case, the regulator gave namely initially a positive feedback for a successful installation, but could, because the pin adapter sat up, the valve pin had not yet completely closed, not completely close the flow. Result was an extreme overheating of the room. After troubleshooting, I have the placer capped forward by about 1-2 mm (ie cut off on the "open" side) and the controller reinstalled - since the scheme works easily. (Tip:.. When installing the controller carries out an adjustment run out, when heard the inflow is controlled to the radiator towards the end of the adjustment run should - also audible - the inflow to the radiator completely dry If this is not the case, probably reworked become).
Danfoss RAVL (Addendum):
If the installation fails because the Hub / parking area is too big (error message F2) despite apparently a properly set adapter and right Auschraubens can - makeshift - a 5-cent piece between thermostat and valve connector can be used (in connecting pieces of EQ 3 inserted before screwing) to reduce the distance the extent that the heater can be basically controlled. Alternatively, a placer as for RAV could help, but the enclosed is too far for RAVL pins. Follow these instructions at your own risk but, moreover - while the above correction at RAV obviously 100% produces the intended control function, I'm in this expedient not quite so sure. This shortcoming tarnishes the otherwise good impression and justify nearly a deduction of a star, on the other hand it is an individual problem and it runs after all yet.
Operation:
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It is operated by the end of a (preset) automatic program or manual operation on the device. The automatic can always be overridden by manual adjustment until the next preset setting time, can be set as an alternative mode permanently Manual. An operation via radio or in conjunction with an external sensor window is not possible (there are 2 radio capable sister models).
The regulation takes place in 0.5 ° C increments, which in my view sufficiently precise and possibly even in the handling / operation is likely to be easier (for example may be doubted whether there are "accurate" 0.1 ° C steps really make sense are and are actually implemented effectively). There are 7 parking times for 3 "heating periods" (assuming that each of the end of a "heating" phase, the temperature is turned down - alternatively would also be conceivable rising / falling heating cascade), at least 6 different temperature stages can be freely selectable times Setting, ie daily, weekend, or week unterwochen- exactly (the 1st phase always begins at 0.00 clock, the last always ends at 23.59 clock). For each phase, the temperature can be freely selected between 5 ° C - 29.5 ° C. The temperature regulating is measured directly on the controller, so may differ from the temperature at other points of the room. But they do have a correction option in the preferences.
I like also much the separate button for comfort and reduced temperature, with the by pressing until the next adjustment date a (predetermined) comfort temperature (eg 21 ° C) is activated upon further pressing a (predetermined) reduced temperature (eg 17 ° c), etc. Thus, it will save you the fine adjustment at the wheel.
There are a few other features such as Parental Control (for example, protects the smooth wheel against inadvertent changes by heavy curtains), antifreeze, limescale etc. - to see item description.
A word to use: the room temperature should be at night and in unused spaces 16 ° C no less than possible, especially in order to avoid mold growth. In addition brings extreme cooling down and later reheating ultimately no Energiersparnis. It makes more sense frequent (shock) airing what the apartment keeps you dry and therefore leads to lower heating costs.
Usability for older people / people with visual impairments:
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The readability even for the elderly is actually quite good, as the display of the current setpoint temperature occurs significantly, the display has oversize, is well exploited by large numbers (unfortunately is not always on all devices with display case) and is also sufficiently contrasting. The only drawback: the screen is not lit or illuminated; which would have increased the readability again. The sister models with remote control, however, have an illuminated display. That the manual change of the temperature via the rotary control, the expectations and habits of elderly people is expected to meet. The study of the manual and the initial installation and programming should not expect them nevertheless.
Suggestions for improvement:
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The potential difficulties in installation (RAV / RAVL) should be addressed in the manual or at least improves the adapter (mainly for RAVL) or extended or the connector (distance) will be revised. Wish On top I would still a way to display the current actual temperature and even more possible parking times, or that a certain desired temperature, for example, can be manual keystroke for a limited period, for example, the subsequent 30 minutes, activated.
Conclusion:
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Depending on the price, a highly recommended for its purpose device; any difficulties during installation at Danfoss are in appearance, although always annoying, but could not get well by concrete conditions and allow at least even with simple tools (Kneifwerkzeug, 5-cent piece) and little testing resolve sufficiently, also seem competitive models before not immune, so just less than 5 stars. Depending on the price ratio are recommended as an alternative also the extensive eicheren radio models "Comfort" or "premium" (in each case with a larger, with illumination display, radio control option and a little less exposed wheel). For durability, continuous operation and real impact on energy consumption, of course, I can not make any statements.
