Electric shower not getting hot

ian_w_4

We had a Mira Sport 8.5kw shower which has been fine since we moved in 5 months ago. Last week it just stopped getting hot, warmed up ever so slightly but barely tepid.

Assumed that the shower has been in since the house was built 12 years ago so it was just it's time to die, so got a new Triton (8.5kw again) and swapped it this morning.

Got the new one in, switched it on and the new one does exactly the same thing! Starts up but doesn't get hot, barely warm.

Water flow seems normal so I'm guessing it must be an electrical issue. The power leds on the isolator and the shower itself all come on so it's getting power, and the cables to the switch and shower look like they're all in nice and tight.

Any ideas? I'm stumped!

southcoastrgi

turn the temp up on the front of the shower, the water will come out slower but should be hotter, the flow rate will be less in these temp due to the incoming water temp, ie faster the water flow through the shower the colder it will be

Ruski

Do you notice a heat difference between setting 1 and 2?
Any 'fishy' smells in the bathroom? Smell the pull cord isolator... (silly I know - but do it!)

Russ

societys_child

Ensure temperature controls set to max, then reduce the water flow to what you might consider "pathetic" (the shower head may be adjustable to counteract this slightly)

. . . wait a few seconds, the temp will increase.

Reason: The water supply is considerably colder due to the weather conditions and the heater in the shower can't heat it sufficiently :snow_grin All will be fine again come spring

Edit: what KG said - should have refreshed the page before posting.

ian_w_4

I'm pretty sure this isn't just a case of cold water. It's been much colder than it is today and worked fine. When the Mira went it was fine one day, nice and hot on about 1/2 power, then the next day not even warm at full power with little change in the weather.

Ich_2

More than likely a connection on the isolating switch, check them carefully (WITH THE POWER SWITCHED OFF AT THE CONSUMER UNIT)

societys_child

ah, ok ... my first thought was the one of the elements may have gone in the shower unit, but you'd replaced it so ruled that out. Does the temp not increase by reducing the flow?

Remember that your water comes from a reservoir, possibly miles away and the temperature will have been reducing slowly during the current cold snap (and is continuing to do so, day by day)
Other than the advice from Ich, I can't really think of any other reason.

ian_w_4

Ruski wrote: »

Do you notice a heat difference between setting 1 and 2?
Any 'fishy' smells in the bathroom? Smell the pull cord isolator... (silly I know - but do it!)

Russ

No fishy smells but there is a heat difference between cold, 1 & 2 settings. So it is heating but only by a few degrees.

Just tried replacing the isolating switch as that looked a bit old and grubby anyway, but still no change.

HappyMJ

What is the flow rate of the shower. I barely get 4 litres per minute in winter. Get an empty 2 litre bottle take the shower head off set the temperature so the water is warm and time how long it takes to fill the bottle. I did it last week when it was freezing outside and it took 32 seconds to fill the bottle. (60/(32/2)) = 3.75 litres a minute. Pathetic.

Ich_2

To be honest the only way you will probably now get this sorted is by checking voltages & current to the shower. If you can do this yourself do so otherwise get some assistance

ian_w_4

Yeah I think I've reached the limit of my talent! Thanks for the input everyone