Replacing an Electric Shower

[LordSoth]

Howdy Folks,

my Creda electric shower finally croaked last night after giving us 12 months of trusted service & then 12 months of problematic service.

I am keen to replace with an alternative manufacturer (Mira or Redring or your suggestion?), primarily because I don't consider 12-24 months particularly reliable service & I found Creda's customer service pretty unfriendly as the faults started appearing just after the 12 month initial warranty expired.

My understanding is that I just need the fitting to match with the water pipe entering from the top left & the electrical supply entering from the top right.

Taking these as given, what showers would you recommend & where would you recommend purchasing from (Argos/B&Q/your suggestion????)

MTIA

John

 

[Chri5]

The new shower could be limited to the size of the existing cable, it's distance and fuse rating.

So if yours is on a 40 amp fuse you'd be limited to 40 x 230v or 9.2 kW.

Look on the TLC Southern web site, they sell at better than shed prices.

 

[Cremeegg]

If in a hard water area - you'll do well to get more than two years out of an electric shower.

If you must use a shed then use Wickes - their own brand Aquatronic showers are just badged up Tritons. Never had any problems with Tritons but I avoid B&Q own brand Gainsboroughs and any other shed own brands.

 

[Steve]

Mira are regarded as a better brand. Then Triton. Gainsborough and Creda are the cheap end of the market.

 

[LordSoth]

If in a hard water area - you'll do well to get more than two years out of an electric shower.

Northern Ireland - the softest thing here is the water!

If you must use a shed then use Wickes

Still Northern Ireland - no Wickes here!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Northern Ireland - the softest thing here is the water!

You still to need find out the size of your cable(CSA) and the protective device on the circuit.
This would allow the good people on here to inform you, what output rating of your new shower, is suitable for the circuit.

 

[LordSoth]

Northern Ireland - the softest thing here is the water!

You still to need find out the size of your cable(CSA) and the protective device on the circuit.
This would allow the good people on here to inform you, what output rating of your new shower, is suitable for the circuit.

Cable is 10mm & circuit protection is 45 amp

Cheers

John

 

[1john]

230V x 45A = 10350W / 10.35kW
240V x 45A = 10800W / 10.8kW

You can have a 10kW/10.5kW shower. I am assuming that the circuit has been installed properly and fully complies.

 

[canduit]

I have a Triton 9.5kw shower. Don't know the age of it as was here when i moved in. It works very well, even for Miss Canduit who has long (blonde) hair. To the OP, every now & again, ISOLATE THE CIRCUIT, remove cover, remove limescale in trap. And ensure you have correct showerhead. All this info should be in the instructions.

 

[LordSoth]

I have a Triton 9.5kw shower.

Does the Triton have the water inlet on the top left & electric inlet on the top right?

John

 

[canduit]

"Water Entry Points -Top, bottom, back (right hand side unit) and Cable Entry Points - Top, bottom, back (right hand side unit)" Taken from PDF's from their website http://www.tritonshowers.co.uk/electric-showers/topaz-t80si.aspx So it seems the answer to the question is no

 

[securespark]

This will help when fitting a Triton shower where a non-Triton shower existed before:

http://www.tritonshowers.co.uk/installer/easy-fit-solutions/instatrim.aspx

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Blimey - they've had a change of heart.

I once bought a Triton to replace a Triton, and the water and electricity entry points were different...

 

[crunchynut]

I now always take off cover when quoting for shower replacement. Nothing worse than trying to make a new shower fit when entry points are different, and you are left trying to fill dodgy gaps in tiling. Bloody annoying when same brand change around their layout so much. I fitted a Creda shower from wee an poo a while back that was very flexible re entry points- it also had a slightly larger footprint than most showers to hide missing tiles etc.

I quoted for a like for like replacement earlier this wk. Plumbers quote was too high. I looked at it and can get the same unit still. Plumber did not mention lack of RCD....not such a surprise really!! Somehow his quote was £40 more than mine, and I am fitting a separate RCD unit adjacent to DB and changing the shower and still earning a good whack. His quote would have took an hr to do and profit of £230. Rip off tawt!

That instatrim looks a damn good idea, though have gone off Triton after a bad experience with their units/tech help. May have to re-convert!