How to replace the controller of a Stanley Brandon Mark 2

for £100 less

N.B. This web page is only intended to help you work on your stove, but I don't take any responsibility for any damage or injuries which result.

First-off, make sure yours is the Mark 2 version - it should have rectangular hot-plate covers.

If not, this page is not going to be of much help.

Secondly, check if there's an alternative fix instead of replacing the controller:

Problems, solutions, etc.

When mains power has been cut-off for a while, and then restored, the controller flashes on and off for a few minutes.

You can choose cooker mode or heating but it goes blank if you try both together.

For both of the above, the first thing to do is to check that they're not being caused by poor contacts between the controller and its base-plate.
First off, see if the controller is loose and if moving it a little removes the problem.

If that works, you may wish to leave it, or just check the contacts and fitting, rather than replacing the controller, to (hopefully) ensure the problem stays away.

To check the contacts, work through the steps below, ignoring those dealing with the fitting of a new controller.

If you do need to replace the controller, choose which controller to obtain from the table below, using the guidance in the table below that.

Stanley Brandon models spare parts manual.
Version	Fuel	Parts List on..	Diagram on..	Parts	Available from (with last-seen price)
MK3 60/80/100K models The mark 3 has round hot-plate covers NOT covered by this web page	Oil	Page 4 (PDF page 5)	Page 5 (PDF page 6)	131. Control Panel Glass - T00038AXX 132. Timer Unit PCB Board - G00264AXX	PCB from Rangemoors at £263.15
	Gas	Page 6 (PDF page 7)	Page 7 (PDF page 8)		PCB from Rangemoors at £263.15
MK2 60/80/100K models The mark 3 has rectangular hot-plate covers	Oil	Page 8 (PDF page 8)	Page 9 (PDF page 10)	38. Timer - G00026BXX 134. Timer Switch Insulation - Consumable	Harworth Heating at £200.20 incl. VAT Rangemoors at £201.41 incl VAT Heating Parts Warehouse at £276 incl. VAT Heating Parts Specialists at £295.08 incl. VAT
	Gas	Page 10 (PDF page 11)	Page 11 (PDF page 12)
Alternative part for the MK2.				Honeywell ST9400C programmer	For example, Screwfix at £96.59 incl. VAT A search will find you lots of alternative suppliers

There is an additional item shown - "Timer switch insulation - Consumable" - I'm not clear what this is since my Stanley had nothing like this in place behind the controller I replaced.

How to choose between the official Stanley controller and the basic Honeywell model
Type	Pros	Cons
Original version (It is actually a re-worded Honeywell ST6400C)	Has the "Cooker" and "Heating" properly labelled	Presumably it's defective
Official Stanley version	Has the "Cooker" and "Heating" properly labelled
Honeywell version (ST9400C)	Over £100 cheaper. As you can see, it's really the same unit with changed labels. Here is the ST9000-series Specification Sheet and ST9400A/C Reference Guide if you're interested.	Needs you to remember that "Hot Water" means "Cooker" or for you to stick on a correction label. Here are amended versions of the Honeywell: Easy User Guide and Complete User Guide

The photographs below are of my Stanley mark 2 oil-fired version.

Removing the old controller.
Before dismantling.
This shows the old controller with its associated controls for the boiler and oven temperatures, and the selector switch which alters the heating between "central heating" and "hot water only" modes. If your controller and / or controls are different to this then this page may not be of use. The new controller should come with these Installation Instructions. You should read them alongside this guide.
To start with, you may wish to go through the current settings on the controller and make a list of the start and stop times. It's worth having some form of camera to take record shots - one here will record the temperature settings.
Dismantling.
VERY IMPORTANT. Disconnect the power from the Stanley. Check the controller's screen goes blank. Try the "plus an hour" buttons to make sure.
Pull off the temperature control knobs.
The controller is held in place, at the bottom, by two screws - one in the centre and one on the left. These are awkward to get at and are easiest to access using a small flat-head screwdriver.
Once the bottom is loose from the screws, ease the bottom out. Then you can push the unit upwards to disconnect it from two lugs.
This shows the backplate. The two retaining screws can be seen at the bottom. You can see where the controller makes contact, along the top.
Replacing the backplate. This is optional since the new controller should work with the old backplate. If you are not going to replace it, then it's a good idea to make sure all the connection screws are tight. Then skip to the "Fitting the new controller" stage below.
Important The four wires on the right are all black. Tie the right hand two together. Take a photo at this stage to make sure you can get the wires back in the correct order.
Here's the new controller with the supplied backplate unclipped. Important Before fitting the backplate, try doing up the two bottom screws a little. On mine, they were very stiff to start off and this is easier to sort out at this stage.
The old controller is held in place by two screws (each fitted with a locking washer). Undo these and pull the controller over the wires. You can see the raised area, on the right, where one of the screws located.
You will need to enlarge the holes for the screws in the backplate since they are larger than the holes. A 5mm. drill bit does the job. This shows the new backplate fitted, with one screw and locking washer visible.
Now refit the wires, making sure they are in matching slots to how they were on the old controller. The old wires should already be soldered and suitable lengths (7mm. max.). Where there are two wires on one slot, put one on each side of the screw. The instructions that came with the controller makes this quite clear.
Fitting the new controller.
The new controller should fit in the reverse of taking off the old one. The lugs at the top are a bit tricky to locate, but not impossible. Once fully located at the top, the unit should ease down at the bottom. Now try to do up the two screws. It's quite tricky and you may need to ease the controller back out a little to gain access to them. Once done up, make sure it doesn't shift if you pull it.
You will probably want to unclip the front surround. This hinges up but fouls the Stanley's frame in an irritating manner. Now turn the power back on. This shows the controller in place and powered up. If you've gone for the Honeywell controller, you'll need to re-label: from "HOT WATER" to "COOKER" You may also wish to print off amended versions of the Honeywell: Easy User Guide and Complete User Guide