Scratching my head over immersion heater!

[ETradesmen]

Good evening all, I have a query regarding an immersion tank.

I received a call from a new client asking do I fix immersion tanks to which I told her it’s probably best to get a plumber out as he can eliminate the problem and change the element if required which would save her money.

I won’t go into too much detail but it turns out the plumber just changed the immersion element and billed her, the next day later she called me saying that it’s not working again, could I pop over?

After taking a look I soon realised that the timer was an old rotary time guard which isn’t ideal as it hasn’t got a boost function and which had also malfunctioned resulting in a previous DIYer bypassing it resulting in the immersion running 24hrs a day. (This has since been upgraded)

I tested the mains in at the tank which had voltage then nothing coming out of the thermal cut out which I reset then supplying voltage to the element (Could here it heating) I then assured her I had sorted the problem as I had changed the time clock and reset the thermal cut out.

I received another phone call the following day saying it’d stopped working yet again.The only thing left do was to change the thermal cut out for a new one which I did and it worked for 3 days only to trip again today!

I have done way more than I would normally do and this job has cost me money!, I’ve since walked away from the job on good terms explaining to the client I can’t do anything else. In 20 years of doing this I am dumbfounded!

Any ideas on possible causes? I had made sure the thermal cut out was set no higher to 65 degrees? It is an electric only flat with a dual element mega flow type tank although the middle element isn’t being used at all as they don’t have eco7.

 

[radiohead]

Yeah that's what he said

That's not post #10
[automerge]1588616633[/automerge]

The big thing in the middle where is the wires connect that is the thermostat.
It just plugs into the element

correct, it plugs onto two element spade terminals

 

[ETradesmen]

Nope, the wiring is secure as I double checked everything.

Don’t get me started with the plumber, that’s a whole different topic on its own!

I haven’t got a picture of the gubbins but have a link the thermal stat :

BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat | Home Heating Spares

New BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat. BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat combined thermostat and cut-out for the new Megaflo Box

www.homeheatingspares.co.uk

I‘ve done everything I can electrically, maybe there’s a build up of limescale In the tank?, but the plumber would of seen that and commented on it?

As mentioned above, I’m done with the job but never accept defeat! Just wondered if anyone could help me from going insane!
[automerge]1588617003[/automerge]
Guys, I understand how a tank is connected. There really isn’t any use showing a picture as I can assure you it’s all connected properly.

Yes it is an element with spade terminals connected to the stat,

 

[Pete999]

Nope, the wiring is secure as I double checked everything.

Don’t get me started with the plumber, that’s a whole different topic on its own!

I haven’t got a picture of the gubbins but have a link the thermal stat :

BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat | Home Heating Spares

New BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat. BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat combined thermostat and cut-out for the new Megaflo Box

www.homeheatingspares.co.uk

I‘ve done everything I can electrically, maybe there’s a build up of limescale In the tank?, but the plumber would of seen that and commented on it?

As mentioned above, I’m done with the job but never accept defeat! Just wondered if anyone could help me from going insane!
[automerge]1588617003[/automerge]
Guys, I understand how a tank is connected. There really isn’t any use showing a picture as I can assure you it’s all connected properly.

Yes it is an element with spade terminals connected to the stat,

So which stat do you have then?

 

[freddo]

Interesting, I've not seen a stat like that used for an immersion element before.

 

[hasel5]

Totally confussed

Are we saying we have a Megaflo system then?

 

[Leesparkykent]

You set the high limit stat to 65 degrees? Is there another dial for actual temperature rather than the high limit temperature?

 

[ruston]

Nope, the wiring is secure as I double checked everything.

Don’t get me started with the plumber, that’s a whole different topic on its own!

I haven’t got a picture of the gubbins but have a link the thermal stat :

BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat | Home Heating Spares

New BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat. BBSC0131 Megaflo Thermostat combined thermostat and cut-out for the new Megaflo Box

www.homeheatingspares.co.uk

I‘ve done everything I can electrically, maybe there’s a build up of limescale In the tank?, but the plumber would of seen that and commented on it?

I have had that before where the element was caked in lime scale and was sitting on a bed of shingles. As you say though, the plumber would have noticed that.

 

[ETradesmen]

I’ve lost all faith in the plumber, very unprofessional.

I forgot to mention that there is an electric boiler in the cupboard doing the central heating, I don’t think that has anything to do with the problem?

heres a link to the tank :

* CENTERSTORE 150 DIRECT UNVENTED CYL | Wolseley

Looking for a CenterStore Direct Cylinder CCSSDIR150? Order from Wolseley today - free delivery or click and collect available nationwide.

www.wolseley.co.uk

thanks for all your help.

 

[buzzlightyear]

where the element was caked in lime scale

If the plumber had changed the element and the stat then it would have been a problem unless he did not know what he was doing.

 

[hasel5]

Is the cylinder linked to the boiler as in a hot water heating oil?

 

[ETradesmen]

Is the cylinder linked to the boiler as in a hot water heating oil?

Not linked electrically, I’m unsure on the plumbing side though.

 

[freddo]

You set the high limit stat to 65 degrees? Is there another dial for actual temperature rather than the high limit temperature?

According to the above attached installer manual it says the element stat is a combined control and overheat stat in the same module. Only the control temperature can be adjusted and it has a range from 10C to 72C.

 

[ETradesmen]

Just a quick update guys,

I’ve just heard back from my client who has informed me that according to her new plumber the thermostat was set too high resulting in nuisance tripping.

I had followed the instructions and set the stat to roughly 65 degrees, I say roughly as there were no markings on the bloody thing!

Oh well, lesson learnt I suppose?

 

[davesparks]

Just a quick update guys,

I’ve just heard back from my client who has informed me that according to her new plumber the thermostat was set too high resulting in nuisance tripping.

I had followed the instructions and set the stat to roughly 65 degrees, I say roughly as there were no markings on the bloody thing!

Oh well, lesson learnt I suppose?

Are you sure you read the instructions correctly? Domestic hot water is normally set to 55 degrees.

I haven't been near a megaflo for a while now, but they used to have a 1 - 5 scale on them with 4 being the 'normal' setting if I remember correctly.

 

[Pete999]

Just a quick update guys,

I’ve just heard back from my client who has informed me that according to her new plumber the thermostat was set too high resulting in nuisance tripping.

I had followed the instructions and set the stat to roughly 65 degrees, I say roughly as there were no markings on the bloody thing!

Oh well, lesson learnt I suppose?

Earlier posts said that there wasn't a stat!