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Myser

Is it possible that the night time one is also faulty?

Myser

If you are on E7, the idea is that you save money by operating the night time element to heat the water when the electricity is cheap.  You only use the daytime one to top up.  Using the daytime one all the time is going to be very expensive.

fenwick458

AskAsk said:

so dynorod came back and replaced both immersion heaters again.  one of the immersion heater was faulty and was damaged, which was the cause of the fault.  the dynorod plumber must have damaged it when he installed it.

the night time one still trips the main RCD when the night power comes on at night so we have switched that one off.  no idea why it is still tripping, but as the day one is working and i don't think the night one ever worked before, we are going to leave it as it is.

I don't understand why they job hasn't been completed yet, so they have replaced Both elements, but this time only managed to install 1 of them without damaging it, and you seem to be happy with that level of service??

Jeepers_Creepers

Dyno is on a 'central heating system' repair contract, and not an 'electrical fault' type? If so, little point calling them out again.

If this was my hoosie, I would want the issue fully resolved - I would not be happy about an earth leakage fault, even if it could be controlled by not just using the device! That's just nuts...

So I think what I would do is to get a new, different sparky (ie a second opinion/fresh start) out, after explaining the situation to them first; "It's an earth leakage fault in immersion circuit tripping RCD, element replaced and plumber claiming fault must be in cabling but you have reason to doubt this. Is this the kind of job you can easily determine where the fault lies?" Ie, you don't want someone coming out and sucking through their teeth and not having the test equipment required - you want a clued-up sparky who'll say "No prob - I'll test the element first and then the wiring - we'll get to the answer..."

If it turns out to be the element, you sue Dyno for the cost of this investigation. Personally I'd want that sparky to replace it too (with a plumber friend if needed) as I would no longer trust Dyno's competence. Good chance you'll get Dyno to cough up before launching a MoneyClaim.org, or before it goes all the way.

Jeepers_Creepers

AskAsk said:

i no longer have any trust in dynorod as they obviously can not do the job.  the electrician was right when he said it was the immersion heaters that were faulty as when dynorod came back the plumber could see that one of the immersion heater had been broken.  this makes me think he broke the night one even though he replaced it.  problem with that one is that it only comes live after 11.30pm and goes off at 6.30am so it is difficult to get someone round to replace it and test it during that time slot.

i would need to employ a qualified electrician who can also do plumbing, (and who also understands economy 7 supply), and there are not many of them around.  as the day immersion heater is working and we have hot water again, i will leave it for now.

AA, the sparky can turn on the power when he wants, and can certainly carry out tests on the element and wiring without it being 'live', so don't worry about that. Yes, once they diagnose where the fault is, they'll then need a plumber as well, which I hope they'll have on board for jobs like this.

Dyno's sole contribution - after two failed attempts to sort this, almost certainly causing the issue, and trying to avoid responsibility - is to pay for the repair. 

fenwick458

AskAsk said:

problem with that one is that it only comes live after 11.30pm and goes off at 6.30am so it is difficult to get someone round to replace it and test it during that time slot.

jesus christ are you joking! you know any competent electrician would be able to "dead test" the element once installed to see if it's ok?
fair enough, you've lost all confidence in dyno rod, but I'd still persist with them and tell them you either want them to sort it, or if they can't then you want them to pay for someone to do it on their behalf

Myser

How long have you been without use of the night immersion heater?  You do realise it's going to get very expensive running the day immersion heater?