Electric shower crisis.

[cabinscooter]

A short while ago we were changing the solenoid valve on my son's ancient electric shower when the top of the valve broke off! Luckily the shower is over the bath. After panicking to turn the water off we eventually got an emergency plumber to cap the pipe. He is managing with a push-on attachment at the moment and various options are being considered. The shower is very old and I don't know the make at the moment.
I see that complete valves for the like of Triton are readily available and I wondered if a plumber might be able to adapt one, rejigging with a suitable fitting maybe.
The obvious alternative is a new electric shower but I think the power supply would have to be upgraded to meet current regs. Or an exposed type plumbed in mixer would be a possibility. He's got a fairly modern combi boiler so I don't think that would be any problem except the cost! Any advice appreciated.
Before the break and after.

 

[dilalio]

New unit.
If you need to upgrade the electrics then that's what you have to do!

Or, as you say put in a mixer off the combi which is cheaper and should be a better shower.
But you'll need hot and cold from the boiler... Depends where you can take feeds from.

 

[gas112]

bite the bullet and change it showers are not that dear
probably cheaper than the call out for the leak you caused

 

[Madrab]

Certainly consider, if it is a combi, for the bath taps to be changed to a shower mixer. That can be a pretty straightforward and quick change for what is there already. Usually a far better shower too.

 

[polesapart]

but I think the power supply would have to be upgraded to meet current regs

not necessarily required if kW rating of new shower does not exceed that of old.

Agree with all above about better performance from mixer.

 

[blup]

Time for a new leccy shower. Triton T80 is good, get the highest output you can

 

[polesapart]

get the highest output you can

Within the power limits dictated by the existing cabling, breakers etc.

It would be poor advice to encourage the OP to wang in a 10.8kW unit on existing 6mm² cable, for example, without qualified on-site assessment.

 

[blup]

Within the power limits dictated by the existing cabling, breakers etc.

It would be poor advice to encourage the OP to wang in a 10.8kW unit on existing 6mm² cable, for example, without qualified on-site assessment.

Yes (as he recognises himself) he’ll likely need to upgrade the cable but it’s daft not to maximise the output of a leccy shower

 

[CountryFan]

Can’t work out if Eaton is the model or make, but agree with above, time for a new one, as if you get a spare then something else could break.

 

[Johntheo5]

I would measure the resistance(s) of the heating can(s), the rated output can then be calculated, a old shower like that may only be 7.5/8.0kW, 6mm2 cable is OK for a 9.0kW shower which gives a ~ 13%/20% power increase & flowrate and would seem like heaven compared to the old one.