Shower Help Please!

A_Star

Our electric shower went bang at the weekend so we now only get luke warm water, we believe one of the two elements have gone, a quick scout round the internet tells me the part to replace this is between £50 and £70 depending on the power. I've also come to the conclusion it's an old shower and cheap and probably cost around £80 new so it's not worth repairing.

We have a combi boiler and no hot water feed to the shower, I believe this restricts us to an electric shower? Can anyone tell me if there is really any difference between an £80 one and a £180 one? The only difference I can see is power but surely it'll heat the water whatever the power?

We'll be replacing the bathroom in about 3 years and we'll put a hot water feed in at the same time so we're not worried about getting one with a long warrenty.

Thanks in advance!

OK_Sauce

I think I'm right that modern electric showers only require a cold feed. Price differences could be differences between power ratings? The higher the wattage the more efficient they are at heating the water quickly enough. i.e. the higher the wattage the faster the water flow can be. Check that your cabling to the shower can handle the wattage of the new shower. Don't forget new regs are heavily against any DIY for electrics in bathrooms and kitchens.

A_Star

I was wondering if a higher wattage would provide a higher flow. That sounds good, the previous one was pretty poor.

I'm technically qualified to do electrics but not sign them off but I have a friend who will do it for me.

ormus

ive never found any difference between the major brands at 80 quid and the expensive ones.
the plumbers round here seem happy to fit the 80 quid ones all day long.

A_Star

ormus wrote: »

ive never found any difference between the major brands at 80 quid and the expensive ones.
the plumbers round here seem happy to fit the 80 quid ones all day long.

So a cheap higher wattage one is the way to go then.

Thanks!

OK_Sauce

Just to re-iterate, check the cabling can take the higher rating.

andrew-b

..and check the consumer unit, meter tails and main fuse are high-enough rated with RCD protection on the shower circuit...there's more to it than just replacing the unit. If your qualified you'd know that though

Andy

antilles

Higher wattage doesn't actually provide more flow - it just heats the water quicker so in effect you can have more water pumping through at the same temperature as a lower wattage shower. And as stated above make sure you have the right cabling installed.

The Dad--in-law is a plumber and he says that some showers will operate better at lower pressure than others, he works for a property maintenance firm and they fit Mira showers now as they had constant problems with Tritons in areas with lower water pressure.

Also make sure that the shower you buy is compatible with the position of your water & electric feed. Some are on the opposite side so you may have to replumb / rewire to suit the shower.

A_Star

Don't panic, I calculated the correct rating for the cable and the one already installed was sufficient and replaced the RCBO with one of the correct rating.

We did have to alter the pipes slightly antilles but it was better that than pay £50 for one with the inlet on the same side. Shower breaking probably did us a favour as the pipes were leaking behind the wall!

Thanks for all your help.

yerret

I need help to get the front cover off my "mira advanced" electric shower. there is a retaining screw underneath that dont come out, and I have no instructions. I am new to this site, sorry if Ive butted in. yerret.

keystone

The screw will come out as it is what holds the cover in place. PDF of installation instructions here.

Oh and you're forgiven for butting in - for future reference theres a "new thread" button at the top of the page.

Cheers