Hello forum,
Background to problem:
I used to have a gravity fed hot water tank, and hence had an Aqualisa power shower. However about 5 years ago, I had the regular hot water tank changed for a maxiflo system. To avoid the power shower needing to be replaced (due to the increased water pressure), a plumber fitted 2x Pressure Reducer Valves on the supply into the power shower, and this has always worked fine for 5 years.
Problem:
Last week, the Aqualisa power shower died (it was 10 years old and not uncommon at that age). I'm fairly handy and bought and fitted a new one myself - which was a straight swap. However, I had to play around with the screws on the pressure reducer valves to get the water through, as it was not flowing for some reason (I'm unsure if this was a safety feature of the valves, or whether they've corroded inside and they were stuck ?), and meant the shower was just running dry - which I immediately stopped. Adjusting and opening the valves a little did work as it suddenly allowed water through to the shower unit. I thought that was all fine then and the shower remained working for the 10mins I waited there with it.
However, it only worked for 2 days, and now the water isn't coming through the valves again. I'm guessing I either reduced the pressure too much (to be fair I did go on the side of caution with the pressure I set it at), or the valves are stuck/corroded.
Obviously I will get a plumber out if need be, but I like to learn and understand these things and do what I can myself.
Assuming it is just that I reduced the allowable pressure too much, am I right that to correctly setup the pressure on the valves I should do as follows.
The power shower requires a working pressure of between 0.1 and 1.0 bar.
1) Ensure the shower is not running (i.e to set static pressure).
2) Adjust the screw on the pressure reducer valve to 1.0 bar or just above (the max inlet pressure for this shower). This will hopefully allow water to flow into the power shower chamber - just as it did the other day.
3) Run the shower for a few mins, which will cause the pressure to drop (the gauge will now be showing flow pressure).
4) Monitor the flow pressure, and if goes near 0 then slightly increase the pressure, keeping it below 1.0 bar.
5) Turn off shower and check the static pressure doesn't exceed 1.0 bar (or thereabouts)
6) Ideally I'm guessing I'd have a flow and static pressure of both between 0.1 and 1.0 bar ?
Or am I missing something ? Any (friendly) advice would be appreciated.
I've attached photos of the setup (ignore the pressure values shown as the photos may or may not have been taken when it was working fine)
Many thanks in advance
Background to problem:
I used to have a gravity fed hot water tank, and hence had an Aqualisa power shower. However about 5 years ago, I had the regular hot water tank changed for a maxiflo system. To avoid the power shower needing to be replaced (due to the increased water pressure), a plumber fitted 2x Pressure Reducer Valves on the supply into the power shower, and this has always worked fine for 5 years.
Problem:
Last week, the Aqualisa power shower died (it was 10 years old and not uncommon at that age). I'm fairly handy and bought and fitted a new one myself - which was a straight swap. However, I had to play around with the screws on the pressure reducer valves to get the water through, as it was not flowing for some reason (I'm unsure if this was a safety feature of the valves, or whether they've corroded inside and they were stuck ?), and meant the shower was just running dry - which I immediately stopped. Adjusting and opening the valves a little did work as it suddenly allowed water through to the shower unit. I thought that was all fine then and the shower remained working for the 10mins I waited there with it.
However, it only worked for 2 days, and now the water isn't coming through the valves again. I'm guessing I either reduced the pressure too much (to be fair I did go on the side of caution with the pressure I set it at), or the valves are stuck/corroded.
Obviously I will get a plumber out if need be, but I like to learn and understand these things and do what I can myself.
Assuming it is just that I reduced the allowable pressure too much, am I right that to correctly setup the pressure on the valves I should do as follows.
The power shower requires a working pressure of between 0.1 and 1.0 bar.
1) Ensure the shower is not running (i.e to set static pressure).
2) Adjust the screw on the pressure reducer valve to 1.0 bar or just above (the max inlet pressure for this shower). This will hopefully allow water to flow into the power shower chamber - just as it did the other day.
3) Run the shower for a few mins, which will cause the pressure to drop (the gauge will now be showing flow pressure).
4) Monitor the flow pressure, and if goes near 0 then slightly increase the pressure, keeping it below 1.0 bar.
5) Turn off shower and check the static pressure doesn't exceed 1.0 bar (or thereabouts)
6) Ideally I'm guessing I'd have a flow and static pressure of both between 0.1 and 1.0 bar ?
Or am I missing something ? Any (friendly) advice would be appreciated.
I've attached photos of the setup (ignore the pressure values shown as the photos may or may not have been taken when it was working fine)
Many thanks in advance
Attachments
Last edited:
