I have a shower pump which is switched on by a "normally closed" magnetic flow switch mounted inside the mixer above the bath. When the water flows it moves a magnet away from the switch and the circuit is broken, or at least it should be.
The switch in the mixer has an intermittent fault and does not always start the pump running. I know it's the switch because if I manually break the circuit, the pump runs instantly. As this is how we are showering presently I really need to fix it, but I don't know the best way. I have considered 2 options but both have drawn blanks, so if you could help I would be grateful:
1) Replace the mixer. The mixer is plastic with a chromed cover and a single rotary dial to regulate the temperature. The only marking on it, is on the connections which are made from a similar material and are marked "Opella" I don't know if the mixer is made by them, or just the connections and as "Opella" have not replied to my enquiries I'm stumped.
Are there alternative units available that contain a flow switch? When I've asked at plumbers merchants they look at me as if I'm from another planet.
The other problem is that the mixer has both inlets at the top adjacent to each other and the pipes are burried in the wall and tiled over.
2) An alternative is to replace the pump with one that has integral flow switches. However I would like one that gives exactly the same performance as the existing one, so here's the next problem The shower label proclaimes that the pump in manufactured by Brightplan and that it consumes 150w. No mention of flow, or pressure. Anyone know of these units, or can give me a specification for it?
I don't have any more information as the unit was installed by the previous occupiers and they didn't leave any paperwork when they moved.
The switch in the mixer has an intermittent fault and does not always start the pump running. I know it's the switch because if I manually break the circuit, the pump runs instantly. As this is how we are showering presently I really need to fix it, but I don't know the best way. I have considered 2 options but both have drawn blanks, so if you could help I would be grateful:
1) Replace the mixer. The mixer is plastic with a chromed cover and a single rotary dial to regulate the temperature. The only marking on it, is on the connections which are made from a similar material and are marked "Opella" I don't know if the mixer is made by them, or just the connections and as "Opella" have not replied to my enquiries I'm stumped.
Are there alternative units available that contain a flow switch? When I've asked at plumbers merchants they look at me as if I'm from another planet.
The other problem is that the mixer has both inlets at the top adjacent to each other and the pipes are burried in the wall and tiled over.
2) An alternative is to replace the pump with one that has integral flow switches. However I would like one that gives exactly the same performance as the existing one, so here's the next problem The shower label proclaimes that the pump in manufactured by Brightplan and that it consumes 150w. No mention of flow, or pressure. Anyone know of these units, or can give me a specification for it?
I don't have any more information as the unit was installed by the previous occupiers and they didn't leave any paperwork when they moved.
