Electric storage heating: Radiators hot, but taps/shower not. Unless using boost

Tautological

Just moved into a new apartment and we've got the heating all working but the taps or shower only heat up properly when we use the boost on the water heater.

Otherwise the water is what I wouldn't describe as freezing, but not even luke warm.

I assume this isn't normal?

ongarite

I guess the water tank has 2 heater elements, 1 on timer usually for night time rates & 2nd upper one for boost?
Is the lower heater element timer or controls turned on?
Can you take a photo of the heater controls & upload it so we can see its configuration.

It's possible the main lower heating element has tripped the thermostat safety or is heating element is faulty, later is pretty common in hard water areas.

Tautological

Thank you for replying so quickly.

https://ibb.co/PgwdpY0
https://ibb.co/wwRgD3B
https://ibb.co/QJd1Pn9
https://ibb.co/QkC9Ppg


I've got the boost on there purposefully. Let me know if you need any additional pictures.

ongarite

Turn the clock dial until its near 24 and you should hear a click as the timer turns on the circuit for main immersion heater.
Does the off-peak LED then come on?

If the heater element is working you should hear the water starting to heat with noise like a kettle starting to boil

Tautological

There's no click, nor does the light turn on.

Radiators are still hot, and and water is hot now on account of the boost.

ongarite

There is a fault in the panel or something not connected inside.

K.Flyer

Tautological wrote: »

There's no click, nor does the light turn on.

Radiators are still hot, and and water is hot now on account of the boost.

Just to clarify something for you..
Your electric storage radiators have no connection whatsoever with your hot water other than they both use electricity.
They both run fully independent of each other.
The time clock in the picture only controls your hot water. The storage heaters are controlled by a device in the fuse board and the dials on the radiators.

On the time clock with the switch in timed position and boost dial off, if you rotate the larger clock dial a full rotation and you do not get a red light it may be indicative that the clock is broken. But the light may be broken and the fault is, as mentioned already, the lower immersion heater needs resetting or replacement.
You need an electrician to check both for you.

meercat

Check the high limit stat isn’t tripped on the bottom element.
You have to remove the black cover to do so

Make sure the power is turned off

meercat

Tautological wrote: »

There's no click, nor does the light turn on.

Radiators are still hot, and and water is hot now on account of the boost.

The light won’t illuminate until after midnight when your night rate switches in
You can rotate the dial to override this night rate
Make sure boost is off