[OpenTRV-dev] Some interesting user feedback...

[Damon Hart-Davis]

Hi,

Thanks all for the follow-on thoughts.  I’ll reread them properly when I have a quiet moment, eg kids in bed!

Rgds

Damon


On 2 Apr 2014, at 21:57, Bruno Girin <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN> wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> On 2 April 2014 17:58, Damon Hart-Davis <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN> wrote:
> I thought I’d just share this, as it is very interesting.
> 
> This is a REV2 unit with temperature knob, two LEARN buttons, and the Big Red Button on the front for mode.
> 
> Rgds
> 
> Damon
> 
> > > Initial UT stuff from my one-valve trial:
> > >
> > > 1) Functions perfectly. Does what the instructions say it will do.
> 
> Agree :-)
> 
>  
> > > 2) The unit has one control to cycle through 3 modes, which make me feel impatient because I have to press and wait.
> 
> I'm the same...
> 
>  
> > > 3) The feedback is a flashing LED, which requires me to count flashes to know which mode it's in. The three-flash is fast, so I'm not sure whether it's 2 or 3. I have to go round a couple of times to get the feel of it.
> 
> I have the same problem with the rev 1.
> 
>  
> > > 4) I've ended up not using the learn mode. Not sure why - think it's somehow the lack of a visual cue that it's set, but I know that's lame.
> 
> I will also admit to not using the learn mode.
> 
>  
> > > 5) Biggest advantage for me so far is that I can reach the controller now it's not on the rad behind the sofa. So just as a remote-controlled valve it's cool.
> 
> Or in my case being able to switch the rad on from the bed :-)
> 
>  
> > > 6) The room takes about 20-30 mins to gain 2-3 degrees, from chilly to OK. So it seems to take a bit of planning, and I'd quite like to give it a regular slot to be warm in, like 1800-2100. But as an ordinary user, I couldn't be bothered to check with the 'learn' mode would hang on to a setting that long.
> 
> Lucky guy! My rooms take more time than that to heat up!
> 
>  
> > > 7) The actuator is noisy enough to have the family asking 'What's that noise?' and it's seems surprisingly busy during a movie.
> 
> I agree but that's the TRV rather than the controller so when we build a TRV unit, we'll have to take this into account.
> 
>  
> > > 8) Def results in a chilly room when not in use, which is the idea.
> 
> Indeed.
> 
>  
> > > 9) Seems like something that people who like programmable kit will get on with, but which could trigger the 'too much trouble' circuits in some. I wonder if having the mode cycle with each press (instead of waiting) and having a separate light for each mode would seem more intuitive? Or a three-way switch, adding cost.
> 
> At the risk of adding cost, I'd suggest the following interface:
> - on/off button + on/off LED with "off" meaning "frost" and "on" meaning "warm" or "boost" depending on the second button;
> - boost button (if the unit it "off", set it to "on" and immediate boost; if the unit is already "on", just boost);
> - heat call LED with single flash when calling in "warm" mode, double flash when calling in "boost" mode: the single and double flashes are easy to distinguish, the problem starts with triple flashes;
> - optionally a "learn" LED that acts as feedback for the learn buttons and is on when the unit switches itself on automatically because of the schedule.
> 
> This way you have immediate feedback via the different LED and you avoid the cycle.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> Bruno
> 
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