any shower replacement experts out there?

davetherave2

davetherave2

davetherave2

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Long story short but my Triton Opal II shower has decided it no longer wants to work in a timely fashion. It will take approx 20 mins to heat up the water (this has been getting progressively longer over time) and the low pressure light is always on (mains pressure hasn't changed as far as I am aware). The shower is at least 6 years old. (was installed by previous owners)

So to me this seems like the heating element is either gone or going so rather than buying a replacement heating element I think it is probably better just to replace it as it is probably going to cost me as much.

So my questions really are:

1) Is this the correct fault based on the symptoms I have described?
2) What would be a suitable replacement for the £100 price point and fit in the existing area the current one sits in?
3) Is it something that a DYI novice could install with relative ease?
 
It's probably furred up. I don't know about the 20mins to heat the water but when my electric shower was suffering from low flow, overheating and cutting out, it ended up just being the shower head being clogged up and descaling that solved the issue. (I didn't immediately realise it was something that simple as I was still getting what I thought was a good stream of water)

Might be worth a try first.

edit : That too from Nightglow
 
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There is a inlet filter which you can clean. (Page 17 Manual) below.

http://secure.tritonshowers.co.uk/media/custom/upload/File-1359727877.pdf

The one in my Triton shower was solid with scale, popped in a pot along with the shower head using some Kilrock-K Descaler soon restored it.

If you do decide to replace it, go for a 'Thermostatic Shower' hot water will be regulated temperature & won't fluctuate between cold & scalding when someone else turns a tap on.
If you do replace, stick with Triton, check power rating, as it a like for like replacement no moving of inlet feed,etc, making it a easy job.
 
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Thanks for the advice guys.

I will look to see if it is blockage issue as mentioned but was probably looking at another triton or mira as they seem to do similar models. From looking at the power monitor the model I have is the 10.5KW model as the power usage spikes to over 11 when on. At the moment when the temp finally gets going it is only spiking at 6.5KW which is what is indicating to me that part of the heating coil is gone.

(Probably should have mentioned that earlier)
 
If the flow rate is reduced due to a blockage, the shower may be turning off one of the heating elements so you don't get scalded. That would explain the power drop also.
 
Give it a clean 99% of the time it is just too much linescale on the thing.

If it is broken they are a doddle to replace! Being a DIY amateur I was really surprised how simple it was to do, turn off electricity, turn off water, take off wall, throw away drill on new one, tape it up when you have noticed you have broken bits of it, turn on and wash in your jeans.
 
The current shower is on a separate circuit and has a drop switch to turn it on. So when I take it to pieces I will ensure that part of my circuit board is switched off and the water is turned off (really need to find the water tap :) I suspect it is with the water tank in the airing cupboard)

I'll give the inlet filter a clean and see how we get on from there.

Again thanks for all the helpful advice.
 
RCD breaker looks like this with a little test button on it.

ChDJwnV.jpg

You really need one on an electric shower to be safe what with there being water involved.
 
pingwing said:
If it is broken they are a doddle to replace! Being a DIY amateur I was really surprised how simple it was to do, turn off electricity, turn off water, take off wall, throw away drill on new one, tape it up when you have noticed you have broken bits of it, turn on and wash in your jeans.
Click to expand...

That sounds exactly how my DIY efforts end up as well! :D
 
I'm not sure if all tritons have the same locations for the water inlet/power inlet, but triton do make showers that are 'universal', meaning the insides can be altered to fit your exact water and electric positions. Quite handy if the pipe and wire is coming through the wall tiles and can't be changed around.
 
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right update so have looked at the filter and that was clean as a whistle. So it looks like replacement time. So can anyone recommend a replacement.

norm - I have one of those RCD's on the far left of the main elecriticy board.

I was looking at possibly the Triton Bezique II 9.5kW Electric Shower as this looks exactly the same as the opal II.
 
The Triton T80 range will be easy to retrofit, the inlet pipes can enter in several directions and the wiring can be extended if too short.

However fundamentally I think their design is poor, if say you happen to loosen the outlet pipe you could I reckon see water shooting back into the unit.

I have an older model, the tank ruptured and the water leak corroded out the overheat thermostat and let water drip all over the live feed, potentially a killer as I have no RCD.
Compare them to a top Mira and their outlet is isolated, as is the live feed, the tanks are bigger on the model I looked at as well.

Otherwise, Triton are OK for the money, Screwfix often have a deal on.
 
I have vouchers that I can use at homebase so hopefully won't cost me a penny.

Obviously I would rather get a good quality shower and if there is something else out there that will be a better option to triton I am more than happy to look. I'm going to pop into homebase tomorrow to have a look and give triton a call as well.
 
Download Tritons PDF's from their site, they are pretty helpful and like Pingwing said they are easy to fit.
Just be careful fitting the inlet pipe as I think the inlet fittings are just threaded plastic.

Add a isolating valve while you have the water off. I think Triton and Mira are the only ones worth looking at (I checked out a few plumbers opinions online a while back and that was my impression)
 
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bitslice said:
I think Triton and Mira are the only ones worth looking at (I checked out a few plumbers opinions online a while back and that was my impression)
Click to expand...

+1

Been thinking about replacing my Triton shower, as it's started playing up today, with a Triton T80Z Thermostatic shower, around £150.:(

Had a look on the Triton site, & I see the do special offers on end of lines, discontinued models at good prices.

http://secure.tritonshowers.co.uk/clearance-deals
 
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Well spoke to Triton and they have pretty much confirmed what I thought that it is probably an issue with the heating element.

So they offered a one time repair of £99 which seemed reasonable although if it can't be fixed then they will offer the next option of a replacement they offered the Triton T100XR @ £160 and then £75 install fee so £235 all in. At this point I pretty much said thanks but no thanks.

So have popped into homebase quickly to have a look and the number of units is store is limited compared to the website but I think I may look at the Opal 3 for £153. Will have another proper look later tonight but I do think replacement is the better option at this stage.
 
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