jmc wrote:Has it fallen out of the green/blue plastic collar to the left?

- God I'm such a numpty sometimes! Yes, it is the LED and I remember slotting it back in a while ago - It would have helped if the photo I took wasn't months old!
Now that i think about it again, I think maybe the thermostat is in the switch (mid left) because I can hear an on off 'click' which moves further up the numbered dial on the front of it as the water heats up.
So, my actual question is this - to bypass the switch then, is the only way to do this to connect the incoming mains direct to the element? This means I need to switch on/off direct at the mains plug? When I've done this with a kettle element based boiler, I get sparks/ flashes behind the switch and I'm not keen on getting my hands near them!
themadhippy wrote:To bypass the stat id put a switch between the 2 black/brown wires,then you can switch between stat control and full on.
Is this my solution then and can you elaborate. I think I know what you mean, but what type of switch would I use? When 'full on', would I still need to switch on at the mains plug?
Thanks again guys for answering my questions. I'm determined to get back brewing again one way or another!