Mira Sport Max (electric shower) whining / squealing

[vladman]

I installed this shower myself the other day (all the plumbing and electrics were already in place, I just bought a flexible hose to join the mains water outlet with the shower inlet, as it was positioned differently in the previous installation), and while the shower works fine, it produces an annoying whining / squealing noise. It is possible to get rid of the noise by turning the temperature knob one way or the other half an inch or so, but unfortunately, the noise seems the worst at the most comfortable settings (on High, and the temperature dial on about 1 o'clock). The flow of water seems fine, the temperature control is fine, the buttons work fine, basically, everything seems ok - but why is it making this noise?

Can anyone offer advice as to what the cause of this might be, and is there anything I can do to try and fix this?

Many thanks in advance,

Vlad.

 

[wolsty]

Hi Vlad

I have exactly the same problem. I've asked by plumber to look at it - will let you know the answer.

 

[vladman]

Hi Vlad

I have exactly the same problem. I've asked by plumber to look at it - will let you know the answer.

Intriguing! Please do!

 

[wolsty]

Hi Vlad

Now I havent tried this yet but Mira say that it is air in the flow valve.

The solution is to run the shower with the head off for 3-4 mins and the pipe hanging down to the floor. Start with the temp at full cold and slowly move it through to full hot.

This they reckon will clear it. As I say I'm yet to try.

Good luck
Mira Showers 0870 241 0888

Tim

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

flexi hoses can cause a problem like that on electric showers if they are kinked

as you say can also be a faulty flow valve.

 

[vladman]

thanks for the reply and those tips, i'll give that a go tonight, fingers crossed!

the hose isn't kinked, although, when i was installing it, it did kink at one point, but i "un-kinked" it... but i'm not sure if that one "kinking" could've permanently damaged it??

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

and what size bore is the flexi.

 

[vladman]

and what size bore is the flexi.

umm, don't remember, but i bought it in B&Q, and the nuts on both end fit with the mains outlet, and shower inlet perfectly. i think it was 15mm, but i can check when i get home.

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

yes the connector maybe 15mm but the internal bore of the hose could be a 13mm or 10mm which does restrict flow quite abit.

 

[vladman]

you're probably right, the diameter of the inner bore might be smaller - so what is the correct inner bore diameter then?

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

flexi pipes are all restricted thats why we try to stick with copper pipe

 

[vladman]

flexi pipes are all restricted thats why we try to stick with copper pipe

oh, ok. is the inner diameter of the copper pipe 15mm? i guess i could go somewhere and have two pieces cut for me, then buy an elbow joining thingy, do you think that would be better?

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

check your flexi first.
the only other suggestions i got was the flow valve faulty, but you say yours is a new shower unit.

 

[vladman]

yes, i bought it off ebay from a guy who says he bought it in error and had never taken it out of the box. it did look and feel brand new, both on the inside and the outside, although i did notice a few droplets of water come out of it as i was handling it... is this normal (presumably they get tested in factory), or was i conned and sold a previously used unit as new?

 

[hi-spec plumbing heating]

yes been tested