Aqualisa digital showers: basic advice needed

tired_dad

Thinking of getting one of these in a bathroom renovation.

We have a gravity system so I will be getting one of their pumped versions.

Q1.
I'm confused about the different models (ilux, HiQ, quartz). Each line seems to have a pumped digital shower variant but what's the difference between these?Any recommendations.

Q2.
Do the pumped versions give adequate flow rates? I ask because the catalogue seems to indicate you can use your own pump in combination with a non-pumped unit.

Q3.
Any experience with the flow rate when the unit is in the loft space on a gravity system. Essentially the cold water tank is in the loft but raised on a platform. the unit will therefore be sitting 1-2 feet below the bottom of the CWS.

Many thanks for your help

markdavey

From experience with Aqualisa, give their CS a call. They are EXTREEMLY helpful and will sort out your queries very quickly. I have called them on a number of occasions and have always been very impressed with their service.

Technical product queries and Customer Service:
Tel: 01959 560010
Email: enquiries@aqualisa.co.uk Fax: 01959 560030
Sales Enquiries - 01959 560010

Ruski

No problem whatsoever - I've installed the pump units at the absolute minimum of 'head' - i.e. sat on the loft floor.

Flow rate is more than adequate - use the 'boost' button and you'll be jetted straight put of the cubicle

Just be carefult that your installer follows instructions regarding where to 'pull' the H&C water from - they ideally need their own supplies.

HTH

Russ

keystone

for ideally need I suggest the expression should be must have, Thats one separately piped from the CWST and another separately piped from the HW cylinder via an appropriate flange. I agree that a shower pump in roofspace is fine just so long as its not piped so its pulling air in via the vent. But you'd be better off with it adjacent to the base of the HW cylinder. Use 22mm feeds to the pump and full bore iso valves.

Some questions:

1. What is the capacity of your cold water storage tank? If its less than 50 gallons you'll need to get a bigger one.
2. Is this your only shower? If its not then you also need to assess the cold water storage requirement as a whole and if its not you should upgrade the cold supply to the HW cylinder to 28mm.

Cheers

tired_dad

Thanks. The CWS is more than big enough.

Interested in the placement of the pump. If we put it near the HW storage then it would be a good 6m away from the shower. Would that be OK? Our HW storage is fairly central in the house and I would be worried about the noise.

Our fitter was around recently and he was talking of taking a HW feed from the bathroom and feeding it up into the loft. Presumably this is being frowned upon here?

keystone

tired_dad wrote: »

Thanks. The CWS is more than big enough.

OK thats good.

Interested in the placement of the pump. If we put it near the HW storage then it would be a good 6m away from the shower. Would that be OK? Our HW storage is fairly central in the house and I would be worried about the noise.

The problem you will have is the digital controller talking effectively to the remote unit at that range. Its OK to have it away from the cylinder as long as he pipes it correctly.

Our fitter was around recently and he was talking of taking a HW feed from the bathroom and feeding it up into the loft. Presumably this is being frowned upon here?

I'm beginning to doubt the ability of your fitter to pipe it correctly. The feeds must be at the same pressure ie the cold feed direct from the CWST by a new connection and not cold via mains or teed off another taps supply and hot direct from the cylinder and not teed off another taps supply. Both should be completely separate from all other drawoffs. Doing it the roof isn't a problem.

Cheers

ListysDad

Just a bit more info TD.

The new (black) processors don't deliver the same flow rates as the older ones upon which (I strongly suspect) Ruski is basing his comment. He was right with the old ones!

I've installed over 120 of the Quartz digital variants (including in my own home) and until recently would have had no hesitation in recommending them. Now however my preference is Mira. I know we live in terrible times and the rivers are all going to turn into dry creeks in a few weeks but when you have a shower you don't want to have to run around to get wet!

Aqualisa have reduced flo rates considerably and you can't do anything about them either. Also, where once it was a simple install in 15mm pipework, they now say you have to run 22mm NO PLASTIC ALLOWED to the valves at the processor! This 22mm pipework feeds a 15mm isolating valve that's restricted down to 11mm - lunacy!

If you do choose to use your own kit with a processor make sure you use a shower hose with a minimum of 12mm bore or flo is severely restricted too.

In terms of the different models, they all share the same processor box but are coupled with different accessories. More swanky looking equals MUCH bigger cost and less discount as the top of the range jobbies are only available through hi level outlets who keep margins inflated.

Mira Platinum offers much more functionality e.g. an eco mode which turns the shower off after 10mins - this is great for kids who want to spend ages and use all the water! All the Mira controls are wireless too so no faffing about running conduit!

Sorry but Aqualisa sat on their laurels too long and have been leap frogged...

Just my two penneth.

Ruski

Cheers Listydad - didn't know about the 'economising' from Aqualisa - shame but unsuprising really.

Will look into Mira for next ensuite.

Thanks

Russ

tired_dad

was looking at the HiQu installation instructions and it does not explicitly state it needs separate dedicated water feeds.

it does state running 22mm pipe to the processor then down to 15mm at the isolating valves which seems very odd

keystone

Are you sure you are not just looking at the brochure?

Whether it does or whether it doesn't isn't that relevant. The fact is that it should. You don't want to draw in air and you don't want one source suddenly cut off or reduced when someone else opens another tap in the property.

22mm to the processor is about flow rate to the pump. From the pump doesn't matter as you've increased the flow rate by pumping it. So not that odd at all actually.

Cheers

ListysDad

Tired Dad.
Keystone IS correct. To not do as he says risks invalidating warranty, and more importantly, ending up with a crap shower! Do not even contemplate not having separate supplies properly plumbed in.
D

It is odd KS. Water isn't like gas in that respect is it? To have a large bore up to a restriction is almost pointless when the restriction is so severe. You'll get lots of cavitation at that point which then makes the pump so much more ineffective. I can see entirely their point if reduced resistance to flow is the point, but that however is turned completely on its head by going from 22mm to the god awful design of a JG isolating valve! I've seen better flow rates and much reduced noise (prob from the fact there's less cavitation) from the pump when I replace the supplied valves with good quality full bore iso's.

The physics simply don't add up! Cynically I guess I feel it's more about reducing liability, apportioning blame and cost cutting... Long live British Manufacturing!

One other thing about Aqualisa. You now have to be VERY careful about where its sited in a loft as the processor can cause total havoc with digital TV signals! Instead of modifying the design, they tell you to go hunt out all the TV cables in the loft and make sure they are not routed anywhere they might be affected. Oh yes of course, don't 99% of plumbers have degrees in electronics too? Tight goats!