240V Portable Oil Filled Radiator 2kW - 24hr Timer

Who is this for

The portable oil filled radiator with 24-hour timer is used primarily by site managers and welfare facilities managers who need heating in welfare cabins, portakabins, and site offices to follow a fixed shift pattern without daily manual operation. It suits projects where the welfare cabin is unstaffed for significant periods, overnight, at weekends, or between shifts, and where leaving a heater running through those periods is not acceptable from an energy management or site safety perspective. It is equally relevant to security and gatehouse cabins where personnel work rotating shifts and the cabin needs pre-warming before each changeover.

Typical applications

• Pre-heating a site welfare cabin before the morning shift starts, using the timer to begin heating 30 to 60 minutes before operatives arrive, so the space is at temperature when the first break falls.

• Programming automatic shut-off at the end of the working day in a site office or welfare facility, eliminating the risk of the heater being left on overnight through oversight.

• Reducing energy waste in portakabin site offices over weekends by setting the timer to run only on weekday hours, rather than leaving heating on a continuous manual setting throughout the project.

• Providing programmed background heating in security and gatehouse cabins between shift changeovers, where the cabin would otherwise cool rapidly during unmanned intervals.

• Supplementing welfare cabin heating on domestic and small commercial projects where a scheduled rather than continuous heating approach is required.

• Providing background heat in drying rooms where PPE and workwear are hung overnight, using the timer to maintain a drying temperature during off-hours without continuous supervision.

How to use

Step 1: Attach the castor feet before first use. Lay the unit upside-down on a stable, scratch-free surface and fit each castor mounting plate using the U-bolts and wing nuts supplied. Do not overtighten.

Step 2: Set all switches and the thermostat to the OFF position before inserting the mains plug into a 240V wall socket directly. Do not use an extension lead.

Step 3: Set the current time on the 24-hour timer dial. Rotate the dial until the arrow or marker aligns with the current time on the dial face.

Step 4: Programme the heating periods by pressing down the segments on the timer dial for each 15-minute interval during which heating is required. Segments left raised will be OFF periods. Segments pressed down will be ON periods. Set ON segments to cover the shift period plus 30 to 60 minutes before operatives arrive.

Step 5: Rotate the thermostat knob to the maximum position and select the required heat setting. 0.8kW suits small, well-insulated spaces; 1.2kW suits medium cabins; 2.0kW suits larger spaces or cold-start conditions.

Step 6: Once the cabin reaches the target temperature, dial the thermostat back slowly until the indicator light goes out. The thermostat will now cycle automatically within the programmed ON periods to hold that temperature without running at full power continuously.

Step 7: The timer will switch the unit on and off automatically according to the programmed pattern. No further daily input is needed unless the shift pattern changes.

Common mistakes

• Not setting the current time on the timer dial: The timer runs relative to the position of the dial. If the dial is not set to the correct current time before programming, the heating periods will be offset from the intended schedule and the cabin will heat at the wrong times.

• Programming ON periods without setting the thermostat: The timer controls when the heater can operate, but the thermostat controls whether the element actually runs within that window. If the thermostat is left at minimum or off, the heater will not produce heat even during programmed ON periods.

• Selecting maximum output for the entire shift: Running at 2.0kW continuously when 0.8kW or 1.2kW would maintain the required temperature significantly increases running costs over a full project. Select the lowest setting that keeps the cabin at the required temperature once it is up to temperature.

• Covering the unit during programmed overnight periods: If combustible materials are placed near or over the unit during unmanned hours, the timer will activate the heater against an obstruction. Maintain the 1 metre clearance at all times regardless of whether the timer is set for overnight periods.

• Using the timer in place of the tip-over protection: The timer schedules operation but does not detect displacement or obstruction. Tip-over protection activates on a physical trigger. Both systems operate independently and neither replaces correct positioning on a stable, flat surface.

Safety

The oil filled radiator with timer is designed for indoor use on 240V mains supply only. Do not use outdoors, in wet or damp environments, or where flammable liquids or gases are present. Do not connect via an extension lead. Tip-over protection shuts the unit off automatically if it is displaced from the upright position. Overheat protection shuts it off if internal temperature exceeds safe limits. Both systems are secondary safety measures and do not replace correct positioning and the mandatory 1 metre combustible clearance at the front of the unit, and clear of the sides and rear. When programming the timer for unmanned periods, ensure the unit is on a flat stable surface and all clearances are maintained before leaving the space. The mains cord must not be run under floor coverings or across traffic routes. If the cord shows any damage, remove from service immediately and arrange replacement through a qualified service agent.

Maintenance

Unplug from the mains and allow the unit to cool fully before cleaning. Wipe external surfaces with a soft, slightly damp cloth only. Do not use detergents, solvents, or abrasive materials. Do not direct water at the unit or immerse it. The oil system is factory-sealed and requires no maintenance under normal operating conditions. The timer mechanism requires no lubrication or servicing. If the timer fails to switch on or off at the programmed times, check that the current time is correctly set on the dial before contacting a service agent. At end of life, dispose of in accordance with WEEE regulations and local authority guidance on oil-containing electrical equipment.