Immersion Thermostat Replacment Krypton Factor

[martin69]

Immersion thermostat seems to have failed - tank boiling water up. Purchased a new thermostat (for top fitting single element immersion), removed wiring and loosened old thermostat. Then the problem...

Immersion tank is raised off ground, and too near cold water cistern above it to be able to get thermostat out and new one in! Only about a foot of clearance. Tried to loosen immersion itself with 36" stillsons in the hope this would give some wobble room, but no way did this want to budge.

Alternatives seem to me:

a) persist with removing immersion and risk damaging tank
b) drain hw cylinder, loosen fittings, tilt cylinder to replace thermostat, refill and hope nothing leaks (or alter plumbing to avoid repeat next time it goes).
c) drain cw cistern, lift, remove shelf, replace thermostat, replace cold cistern, hope that doesn't leak.

And this was fitted by a professional!

Anyone any bright ideas out there please!!

BTW - do I need anything to seal new thermostat in with to stop it leaking?

Thanks

 

[dcawkwell]

Drain cold water tank.
Easier just switch off mains and open a hot tap.

Don't worry about it happening again they last years.

The immersion heater thermostat just slots into it's little hole nothing
to seal.

 

[martin69]

Thanks, that makes sense - easier to drain and shift plastic tank not under pressure than copper one - should then be able to slide it sideways, drill shelf and gain enough clearance.

 

[45yearsagasman]

If its a plastic cold water tank then drain and move that. Fewer joints to disturb. As for a thermostat strapped to the side of the cylinder? Forget it.
Finding an approved stat that will carry and switch that current safely and wiring it safely, well good luck with that.

 

[dcawkwell]

If its a plastic cold water tank then drain and move that. Fewer joints to disturb. As for a thermostat strapped to the side of the cylinder? Forget it.
Finding an approved stat that will carry and switch that current safely and wiring it safely, well good luck with that.

Yes I put that in then noticed the strap on thermostats can't handle the current.
Would need a relay in there to do it. Just an interesting way of doing it.