Economy 7 water heater problems, help please!

rosamy52

There's no switch in the kitchen, just the two wall switches mentioned in the post I made a minute or two ago.

Thanks for the summing up of those points, that's helpful as I was beginning to lose track of things a bit!

Cornucopia

rosamy52 wrote: »

There's no switch in the kitchen, just the two wall switches mentioned in the post I made a minute or two ago.

Okay - that makes more sense. I think they really do both need indicator lights. They will be useful in sorting out the present problem, and will provide a useful check for the future.

Cornucopia

coffeehound wrote: »

So what do we reccomend to the Op?

1. Turn on a heater/towel rail overnight to confirm E7 switching
2. Request LL checks correct element is connected to E7 supply outlet
3. Request LL function checks the lower t-stat perhaps using a pan of heating water on the stove
4. Request LL continuity checks the lower heater element

The easiest thing (for a competent electrician) is to get a known electrical supply to the lower element during the day so the effect can be observed - the kettling noise from the element ought to be audible, even if heating to a noticeable level might take some time. That single step will clarify whether the issue lies with the circuit or with the combination of the element and its thermostat. My money is still on the latter.

It sounds as though the other E7 devices also need testing, so I'd suggest doing that too.

EachPenny

[Deleted User] wrote:

Edit: wonder what the writing is under the cables.

I'd say the one on the left says (B)oost. Which agrees with the OP's belief.

Whether the cables actually connect to the right heaters is another question.

rosamy52

I'm pretty sure they do, I've gently wiggled them to see which one at the wall then wiggles. I'm so sophisticated in my testing!

rosamy52

What would a known electrical supply be? Do you mean unwiring it and then rewiring to an electric device which I know works? Or something else? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick.

Your recommendations sound good as far as I can make out.

I've put one of the storage heaters on overnight.

Cornucopia

rosamy52 wrote: »

What would a known electrical supply be?

Originally we were talking about swapping the supplies over which would take the Boost supply to the bottom element, but it's possible that the problem is that it's already set up like that. Since the light has been removed from the switch as well, it'll probably need test equipment to work out what's going on.

The other issue is the standard disclaimer for electrical work being discussed here: these kind of things need to be done by an electrician or someone with a similar understanding.

rosamy52

Ah yes, thanks I see now.
The landlord, who seems to be a nice guy, emailed back not with any details but asking if I was free this morning which I am so he's coming over in about half an hour. Just him by the sounds of it.

EachPenny

rosamy52 wrote: »

Ah yes, thanks I see now.
The landlord, who seems to be a nice guy, emailed back not with any details but asking if I was free this morning which I am so he's coming over in about half an hour. Just him by the sounds of it.

Did the storage heater warm up overnight?

rosamy52

Hiya,

Yes it did. I just put one of them on and it's gently warm, I put both dials round about halfway.

The landlord's been round and tried a few things. He's a builder by trade and built all of this development. He's going to call in the electricity board to check there's enough power going through and to check the meters etc. He's also taken photos and is contacting heating engineers and said that my email yesterday was helpful, which had several suggestions from this thread. He's also taken photos of the meter's day and nighttime readings to see what's registering on that. He was apologetic and very nice and wants to get this sorted for me so that's good. I'm literally praying it does get sorted soon, it's beginning to stress me out!