Shower tripped electric now no hot water

Anon

I wonder if you can help please.

We have had our shower fitted for the past 7 years without incident. This morning my DLW decided the shower was not hot enough and turned the temperature up, which for some reason tripped out the electricity.

When we switched the electricity back on, the shower still comes on (with all lights) but the water does not get hot - there is some warmth there (ie it is warmer than when the temperature is turned to cold) but it is no where near warm enough to have a shower.

The shower is a Gainsborough 8.5k, Style 400x.

Does anyone know what could be the problem and how to solve it?

Many thanks

Anon

uncle_buck_3

It sounds like one of your showers electric elements has blown.

Most showers have 2 electric elements in them to heat the water.
The shower normally has a knob or button that is used to select the heat setting, low or high.
Only 1 element is on when the shower is on the low heat setting but both will be on when it’s on the high setting.

Anon

Thank you uncle_buck - the diagram of this model is online at:
http://www.showerdoc.co.uk/shower-spares/gainsborough/style-400x.html

It names a heat exchanger but no mention of an element (though shower does have a low and high setting). Would the heat exchanger be the part I need to replace? Would this be relatively easy for a novice (non-electrician) to replace?

Many thanks

Anon

uncle_buck_3

The Heat Exchanger (HE) contains the 2 electric elements.
If you look on the diagram you can see 4 (2 at each side) rod like things sticking out of the top of the HE these are the ends of the elements.
The elements cannot be replaced so you would have to replace the whole HE.

I’m only assuming that a blow element is your problem from your description & the age of the shower, it could be something else.

It would probably be cheaper to replace the shower than to buy spare parts….you can pick up a decent 8.5 kW shower for under £50.

Anon

Daft question - if there are two elements and it uses only one on low, two on high, as a temporary measure could the Heat Exchanger be turned round so that it works (assuming that it is currently the one needed for Low that is broken as it is even colder on Low than High)?

Many thanks

Anon

uncle_buck_3

I would recommend that you do NOT mess with the internal wiring of the shower as this could be very dangerous indeed….these things can & will kill you if you get it wrong!!!

Any way you wouldn’t gain anything even if you were able to turn the HE around, as when you set the shower to high both elements should be on…if one of them has broken (either the low or the high) it just won’t come on but the one that isn’t broken will!

As I pointed out earlier it may not be a broken heating element it could be something else like one of the micro switches that switch the elements on.
However to establish what exactly is at fault with your shower would involve a reasonable understanding of electrics. Failing this you would have to have an electrician take a look at it who would more than likely just recommend replacing it!

ffym

Anon, the problem is that the shower needs both elements on together to give you high heat. With one element gone it you will either get low heat or no heat (depending on which one has gone). I have a similar shower and this time of year, on the low setting it is cool at best. I agree with Uncle Buck - it's cheaper to get a new shower than mess with this one.

Anon

Thank you for your advice - I think I will need a new shower as this has lasted 7 years which isn't bad going and if I replace this bit the chances are something else may go soon - just annoying having to have a bath in the morning! New showers appear to be around £70 in B&Q.

Many thanks

Anon

Anon

I was quoted nearly £60 for the replacement part - Argos are selling Triton 8.5k at £59.95 with £5 voucher back as well - new shower now fitted and back in the good books.

Many thanks for your advice.

Anon