Solar IBoost+ experience

Cottage_Economy

Ok, so we tested the iBoost this evening. Put a new fuse in and tried it with the immersion switched off, and it went bang. So the iBoost is definitely dead. We couldn’t see anything obvious on the circuit board - it all looked clean and tidy, no sign of anything shorting out. 

The resistance on the immersion element when tested last week was 18ohms. 

We’re going to get someone in to remove the iBoost and it’s wiring from the MCB. 

EricMears

Cottage_Economy said:

Ok, so we tested the iBoost this evening. Put a new fuse in and tried it with the immersion switched off, and it went bang. So the iBoost is definitely dead. 

You may be correct to assume fault is in the iBoost but your test hasn't 100% proved that !

The connection between iBoost & immersion very likely passes through a couple of junction boxes and certainly the switch you turned off - any one of them might have an internal short or indeed the actual wire might be damaged.  Only sure way to prove the iBoost is at fault would be to disconnect the wire from it and then test.

Cottage_Economy

What do you mean disconnect the wire? 

The iBoost is located directly underneath the main circuit breaker with it’s cable wired directly into that. The wiring from the MCB goes straight to the isolator switch in the airing cupboard, or so I believe, but I’m not taking up carpets and floorboards to see if there’s junction boxes. 

paul991

its probably  time to get a electrician in , he can can carry out insulation test of out going cable and put a dummy load such as tubular heater directly to the i boast to check what is causing the problem.

Cottage_Economy

If I can get someone to come in and do some simple checks of the system without costing me a fortune I will, but it will have to wait as I have a large bill to pay for something else.

In other news, Marlec has refused to supply me with a serviced replacement as the unit was fitted contrary to their fitting instructions and they don’t want the old one back to refurbish. So thank you to the original electrician who didn’t bother complying with the installation instructions and just fitted it the easiest way possible for him. It should have been fitted either in the airing cupboard with the tank or just outside it. 

EricMears

Cottage_Economy said:

What do you mean disconnect the wire? 

The iBoost is located directly underneath the main circuit breaker with it’s cable wired directly into that. The wiring from the MCB goes straight to the isolator switch in the airing cupboard, or so I believe, but I’m not taking up carpets and floorboards to see if there’s junction boxes. 

I would hope that there is some way to switch off the supply to the iBoost (if not switching whole house supply off for a few minutes would do the job).

Once power to iBoost is off, it should be safe to take cover off,  identify the lead to the immersion heater and disconnect it then restore power and test iBoost again.  If that seems beyond your level of competence then you need an electrician (who should do something similar before condemning iBoost as faulty).

There's no need to look for junction boxes etc  unless such a test shows fault not to lie with iBoost.

paul991

part of the wiring regs says everything should be fitted as per the manufacturers instructions so if you still have them you could point it  out.
I have  a different  make of  immersion  diverter which  the instructions tell me to fit it as near to the consumer unit as possible.

Shackman_2

My iBoost+ has worked flawlessly for nearly six years - once I bought the extension lead for the sender, which put it another 30ft or so closer to the iBoost. However, last week I found the circuit breaker had tripped, and the fuse to the box had blown - unfortunately this circuit also has a shower pump and underfloor heating on it. Everything was disconnected, and testing began - in the end it was the iBoost circuit that was the problem.  . First thing I did was disconnect the thermostat - system still tripped off, so checked the box itself and discovered there was a short inside, so that's it. Marlec offered me a new one at retail price - thanks but no thanks.

So it cost me c£350 to install, but did it give me the same in savings over the five and a half years?  I have LPG heating/hot water, but I'm not sure - in the summer it certainly did, but winter months not so sure. Would I install another - yes, but not at the price now being asked.

PS - I solved the fan noise problem by buying a suitable fan from 'quiet PC' - immediate silence.

silverwhistle

Shackman_2 said:

 Would I install another - yes, but not at the price now being asked.

How much are they these days?I paid just over £200 installed back in 2013 for an early 1 channel version and have diverted over 10000 kWh so have been pleased with mine..

QrizB

silverwhistle said:

Shackman_2 said:

 Would I install another - yes, but not at the price now being asked.

How much are they these days?

About £350, if Google is to be trusted. (I know, I know.)