TWO switches on my hot water tank?

[Dan Robinson]

That's right B - I'm out of my depth, I have no idea what I am talking about. I have never installed, replaced converted to or from an open vented cylinder.

I have never been assessed for competence in Gas Safety, Part P electrical nor Unvented cylinders.

Nor have I ever been to a manufacturers training course, or indeed a boiler factory.



Oh wait- sorry the was me speaking on your behalf, because I have done all of the above - many times. Well only two factories, but they were in Holland.


It's not about arguing B - it's about helping people to understand the risks they are being exposed to.

Take a break - you don't have to be a pr1ck all your life.

 

[rev]

Thanks for the advice on the electrics and the vent.



I've had a closer look,

the pipe which comes out of the top of the tank branches into two pipes about half way down at the back. One goes right and is the same width as the pipe out of the top, one goes left and is thinner in diameter, both dissapear under the floor boards:

Its not a clear pic but this is it;

At the bottom on the left of the tank is this, which I believe the sparky used to 'drain' some water from the tank in order to fit the new stat:

Does this help at all or am I still missing a vent.

In truth this is a vicarage, the whole system is probably pretty old, and isn't going to have much money spent on it. If all of you give me a consensus that it is potentially and immediatly dangerous, I'll have to get in touch with the powers that be. If its not that serious, I'll leave it.

Thanks for the advice

Matt

 

[Dan Robinson]

Let a pro see it first hand - it does appear to be lacking a vent, and whilst B is right in saying there could be one hidden - it is blatantly obvious to a professional that it is not right.


It should rise from the top of the tank straight to the cold water cistern.

Occasionaly it will go horizontally across to the wall then up to the loft.


However, it won't be doing much venting as it is.

 

[Bambergaspipe]

1) the thing on the right isn't a vent?

No.

2) I should leave both switches OFF and it won't impair my hot water

It won`t affect your Hot water, if your boiler fails then the top switch will allow you to heat the water in your cylinder independently from the boiler so you will have at least hot water, when your boiler is repaired, switch this off.

The whole system is potentially unsafe and possibly lethal?

It`s not great to be fair, at the most it will blow a load of fuses, but it`s not how it should be. Possibility of overload and potential fire.

 

[rev]

Blown fuses were the root of the problem that meant the stat needed replacing in the first place.

We were using the immersion heater a lot in the summer to try and save on Gas bills - then the fuse blew.

The vibe I'm getting is that I shouldn't be using it, someone put my mind at rest before I go to bed, its safe enough as long as I don't turn the immersion heater on - right?! Nothing can explode and catch fire as long as I leave those switches turned off?!

matt

 

[Bambergaspipe]

Take a break - you don't have to be a pr1ck all your life.

I was giving advice on the question asked pertaining to the electrical installation, you and seco services have a hard on because I didn`t mention the vent, I have countered your childish snide remarks by explaining that some hot water systems are installed differently unlike the ones in your inexperienced little world, years ago before you were born there were little boilers behind fires which raged uncontrollably and fed cylinders with no cylinder stats, but that`s a long story.

 

[Bambergaspipe]

The vibe I'm getting is that I shouldn't be using it, someone put my mind at rest before I go to bed, its safe enough as long as I don't turn the immersion heater on - right?! Nothing can explode and catch fire as long as I leave those switches turned off?!

Correct, but get a spark in mate. Pronto.