Mira Elite2 Shower - low pressure light on :(

Anchises

Hi,
My shower , a Mira Elite2 9.8Kw, has packed up with the low pressure light on. No noise from the pump. No flow (except a tiny dribble).
My son said it had mede 'a funny noise' while working yesterday.

From reading various threads on here, I looked inside - See pic.

[URL="[URL=http://s666.photobucket.com/user/Anchises/media/Mira_elite2_inside.jpg.html][IMG]http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/Anchises/Mira_elite2_inside.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"][/url]

I can't see a filter (it was suggested that the filter might need cleaning) .
I can't see a solenoid . (It had been suggested that the inlet solenoid might have failed.). Is the solenoid built into the motor inlet ? Or is there none (unusual?).
The inside of the cover was coated with black dust (carbon) . I guess this was from brushes that have worn. Or have they finally disintegrated.

It's about 11 years old. Maybe time for a new one

I can't seem to find a specific youtube video on this model - or any maintenance references.

Any pointer ? Thanks.

clintondaly

The filter is usually at the end of the feed pipe to the shower,its usually a black platsic Hex head,make sure to turn off water before removing it

clintondaly

This is what it looks like once removed

From what i remember its behind the white cover on the lower left hand side ,that cover just slides out,make sure power is off doing it.

Anchises

Good result

It is behind the lower left cover, which also forms part of the outer casing. It clips off (or would have if it had not been sealed with white mastic to the back wall). Removing it, I removed and cleaned the filter in hot water first and then soaking in vinegar. It did not originally seem very clogged (I could see through the mesh).
However when cleaned it worked fine.

I do realise tha pump does not sound as vigorous as it was and there was a blue flashing at the top of the motor behind the shield. Indicates the brushes are failing I suppose.

Maybe it is time to get a new one ? - but not over Christmas

Can the brushes be replaced ? It looks like a complete disassembly would be required to get at them.

Thanks for your help.

bonzodog2

I changed brushes on one of these a couple of months back, cost under €10 delivered. Probably easier to do if you take it off the wall.

Anchises

> cost under €10 delivered
ebay ?

I checked a Dublin supplier online . Price for pair bare brushes Euro 25.00 ! Are they crazy ?

Sleeper12

Anchises wrote:

I checked a Dublin supplier online . Price for pair bare brushes Euro 25.00 ! Are they crazy ?

There are different quality brushes. The really cheap ones last 6 months to a year depending on use. The genuine ones will last as long as the original ones. Your shower is 10 to 16 years old so original brushes should last this long again. In your case as the shower is quite old the cheaper brushes will probably suit

bonzodog2

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/CARBON-BRUSHES-Showers-Mira-Event-XS-Manual-Thermostatic-Extreme-Vigour-T26-/221799060691?hash=item33a44114d3:g:144AAOSweW5Vef2A
are the ones I bought. They are not the same material as the original, and probably would wear faster. They also needed a little sanding to get them to fit.

Anchises

This morning , it failed again with the low pressure light on. Water is flowing , but slowly, no pump on , so no great force behind water jet.
So it sounds like the motor brushes need doing.

I also read that the Elite2 model was upgraded because the water chamber was too compact and furred up with age - no cure for that .

I see a possible replacement in Argos - described as "100% replacement of old Elite". It' s 9.8Kwatt same as Elite2.

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/4818645/Trail/searchtext%3ESHOWER.htm

Price € 259.00 seems ok.

I wonder if this would line up with the existing wall water feed ?

clintondaly

From what I can remember the new Miras should line up with the old ones as they are all vertical units whereas the Triton are fitted horizontally.

Maybe the screw holes are a little off from old to new unit,the last time I changed my own (2 years ago) I just drilled new holes through the unit to line up with the existing holes in the wall.

Go to Woodies or Heiton Buckley or similiar and look at the ones on display and ask about the water inlet before you purchase the one in Argos

The last check I would possibly do before changing would be check the attic(I'm presuming its a gravity fed shower from attic tank) and check the outlet from the tank for any blockage etc.

Anchises

>

The last check I would possibly do before changing would be check the attic(I'm presuming its a gravity fed shower from attic tank) and check the outlet from the tank for any blockage etc.

Yeah . I've done that . Cold water taps in bathroom are fed from same pipe and is flowing smoothly.

The water feed is upwards to my existing shower. I see where Mira recommend, in the newer unit, a downward feed to avoid airlocks.

I'll investigate some available models.

Thanks.

Sleeper12

Anchises wrote: »

This morning , it failed again with the low pressure light on. Water is flowing , but slowly, no pump on , so no great force behind water jet.
So it sounds like the motor brushes need doing.

I also read that the Elite2 model was upgraded because the water chamber was too compact and furred up with age - no cure for that .

I see a possible replacement in Argos - described as "100% replacement of old Elite". It' s 9.8Kwatt same as Elite2.

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/4818645/Trail/searchtext%3ESHOWER.htm

Price € 259.00 seems ok.

I wonder if this would line up with the existing wall water feed ?

That shower is the right one but that is way too dear. You'll get for close to €230 in chadwicks, heatmerchants, DPL or most building suppliers. They were on offer recently for €210 in Kellys building suppliers, north strand, Dublin
Screw holes match up exactly.

Anchises

Thanks

bonzodog2

Anchises wrote: »

> cost under €10 delivered
ebay ?

I checked a Dublin supplier online . Price for pair bare brushes Euro 25.00 ! Are they crazy ?

My local hardware shop (a Mira stockist) quoted me €36+VAT. Hence why I went for the cheap ones.

Anchises

Just to update you:

I bought a new Mira Elite QT in Heatmenchants, Cork, today, for Euro 225.00. A bargain !
Makes sense. The last one lasted 11 years = roughly €20 per annum. Where would you get it ?
< 50 cent a week.

Thanks to all.

Sleeper12

Anchises wrote:

I bought a new Mira Elite QT in Heatmenchants, Cork, today, for Euro 225.00. A bargain ! Makes sense. The last one lasted 11 years = roughly €20 per annum. Where would you get it ? < 50 cent a week.

That is a good price. Enjoy your shower now.