Mira Elite 2 tripping RCD

adrianglass

Hi All
Trying to do our bit for the water shortage (we're on a well)... so last night we thought we'd try a shower instead of our usual baths.

We have a Mira Elite 2 that was installed new when the house was built (2006), but has only been used half a dozen times since.

Anyway, turned on the shower. No heat, but pump running. Turned up the 'heat' dial - no heat. Turned the selector switch from low to medium, and the RCD tripped out.

Took the cover off this morning, hoping to find something obvious shorting out the heater wiring - but all looks OK (external to the heater tank).

Tried again this morning - same symptoms, switching away from 'low' trips the rcd.

I suppose it's possible that the elements inside the heater tank have corroded over the past 10 - 12 years of non-use?

So - is it best to buy a replacement heater tank (€88 + p&p on ebay), or bite the bullet and fit a new shower? If so - which one?

Thanks
Adrian

Sleeper12

adrianglass wrote:

So - is it best to buy a replacement heater tank (€88 + p&p on ebay), or bite the bullet and fit a new shower? If so - which one?

Not on a 12 year old shower. 10 years is the average life span of an electric shower. The pump will most likely fail soon as pumps need to be used regularly. Doing nothing for years shortens it's lifespan.

It does sound like an element has failed but there is also a slim chance chance that the rcbo is faulty. More likely the element though.

If it were me I'd bin it & put in a triton t90sr silent shower. The new mira will break your heart. We are still getting a 20 percent complaint rate from the mira elite qt.

adrianglass

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Not on a 12 year old shower. 10 years is the average life span of an electric shower. The pump will most likely fail soon as pumps need to be used regularly. Doing nothing for years shortens it's lifespan.

It does sound like an element has failed but there is also a slim chance chance that the rcbo is faulty. More likely the element though.

If it were me I'd bin it & put in a triton t90sr silent shower. The new mira will break your heart. We are still getting a 20 percent complaint rate from the mira elite qt.

Ah, thanks... appreciate the comments.
I'm a great one for 'make do & mend' - but I do understand the thing about diminishing returns <g>

The Mira's a 'portrait' enclosure - I see the Triton is more 'landscape' - but I have room on the wall that would accomodate the Triton. Am I likely to have problems with the locations of water feed and power between the two different units?

I see Woodies are doing the Triton for €239 - is that about the right price? (first one that popped up on Google)

Thanks
Adrian

Sleeper12

Woodies price is pretty much what you would pay at a trade counter.

Plumbing & electrics match up perfectly. The only thing to check before you buy the triton is to make sure that your shower is tiled behind.

adrianglass

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Woodies price is pretty much what you would pay at a trade counter.

Plumbing & electrics match up perfectly. The only thing to check before you buy the triton is to make sure that your shower is tiled behind.

Grand - thanks! We've various plumbing supplies places down here in West Cork, but, to be honest, I always get the sharp intake of breath and the 'You can't get them any more' whatever I ask for there <g>!

Excellent to know that the water & electrics will match up, I retiled the enclosure myself a few years ago - so I'm pretty sure that it's all tiled behind... I appreciate you sharing your knowledge - thanks.

Woodies it is then!
Thanks again
Adrian