Electri shower witha mind of it's own!

[Sgt3355]

Hi
I have a problem that has me beat I have to admit. I have a Mira Sport electric shower fitted. It has been in use for some 10 years, probably a good tad more without a problem. That is until recently, when it often would not produce a water stream, merely a dribble. Assumed it was at “end of life”, but before I bought another I cleaned and overhauled it (not much to that and all appeared in good order). Put it back together, no change but did find that if I run the hot water supply (via a combi boiler) and then turn the shower on, it will pick up and work (& still does). Any ideas, the combi (Worcester) has been in use just slightly less than the electric shower, i.e. about ten years.
Regards Rick

 

[WaterTight]

How could the hot off a combi have any effect on a cold mains fed electric shower? Unless I'm missing something obvious, which is a hobby of mine.

 

[Sgt3355]

A very good question, cos this thing has worked perfectly for years. This is a fairly recent "occurrence". It may just be coincidence; I simply don't know. It may have something to do with pressure maybe, in fact I have just tried to use it and my system (hot water tap etc) failed totally, so what do I know. As far as I can tell these electric showers are driven merely by mains pressure i.e. no pump, and the temperature by restricting the flow; simples as it says in the advert. Maybe it's me missing something?

 

[pauls]

unless im reading it wrong but a combi will not effect your electric shower as the shower only has 1 feed and that should be mains cold. unless you have a electric power shower with a hot and cold feed

 

[GQuigley67]

it may well be effecting it since your combi is mains fed, so your losing pressure/flow rate at the shower and giving it more of a chance to heat up the water, i'd say your shower is near the end of its life

 

[Sgt3355]

I think you're right; it's just yet another job I would rather have put off (for months); though never mind I suppose the bathroom could do with re-tiling! Thanks buddy
Regards Rick

 

[GQuigley67]

i'm assuming you mean that the shower only works when you have a hot tap running, if so then yes it would be because the pressure/flow rate has reduced and the water has more chance to be heated.

That's life for ya mate, throws problems at us when we dont want them lol

 

[GQuigley67]

you could try turning your stop tap down a little to reduce the flow rate

 

[Sgt3355]

That being the case could it have something to do with the pressure setting on the combi?
I had some building work done not that long ago and the combi did need adjusting when it was serviced, or am I grabbing at straws?

 

[GQuigley67]

nothing to do with the combi, its your mains supply. You could try and reduce the flow rate of the stop tap by turning it down, but I think your shower is on its last legs, this could be a temporary fix but will result in reduced flow rate at all outlets.

 

[Sgt3355]

I have to agree the shower is at the end of it's days. Pity, it's a job I would have rather put off for a bit, but on the positive side the bathroom needed re-tiling! In fact I've just reduced the flow and had a lovely hot shower to end the day!!
Thanks for all the advice
Regards Rick