Very Bizarre

[kiwinz]

Almost 3yr old Sharp Shower heater unit.

The other morning around 6am, was woken by the sound of shower water running. Not wanting to fully open my eyes, assumed it was partner using it. But then heard her get up to check what was happening.  She thought it very stange water running also as we are the only ones here, and l was still in bed.

She shouts to me , come look quick the shower is pumping out hot water. From first hearing water sound, to looking was approx 30sec.  By the time l got to bathroom water had stopped flowing, but the room was hotter than a sauna.

I automatically checked the main water inlet tap, but that was turned off tight ( as we do after every shower) The main off/on temp dial on unit was completely off (so no power available to heat waterflow). Only the unit outlet control tap was open.

Yet somehow bizarrely the unit had come alive and hot water flowed. But this wasn't just hot water. It was Extremely Hot, to the point l couldn't touch the shower head or hose. The hose was so soft l thought it was going to melt off the metal fittings.

I turned on the main inlet water tap to check the water was going to flow ok and to try and cool down unit and hose. This it did, but no power to the on/off switch.  Not being electrically apt, can only guess there is a fuse somewhere within the box. I did check the mains fusebox, but nothing had tripped.

I haven't opened/removed unit yet, but the mains water still flows through ok.

Has anyone experienced or know why such a Bizarre event could happen.

Also, any good recommendations for a replacement unit.   Sorry the long post, cheers  : )

 

 

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, kiwinz said:

Has anyone experienced or know why such a Bizarre event could happen.

Almost certainly ghosts.

[Tayaout]

I can confirm there is a breaker inside the heater. I tripped it a couple time when splashing water on it.

[johng]

I would guess the flow sensor went crazy and so the heater element turned on and boiled the small amount water in the heater jacket that in turn pushed out the water in the shower hose/head.....turn off the electric at the fuse box and take the heater/shower plastic cover off,you might find a dead geko and /or fried ants.

 

 

[Lungstib]

My little event was more explainable. Had a shower, finished and turned off water tap. Unknown the machine stayed on. As I was walking out the shower area the remaining water in the piping was heated up and spat out as steam and boiling water. I was just out of its range, switched off the current and went straight out to buy a new one. 

[Crossy]

Yeah, I would go with a heat control failure (shorted triac), circuit opened when the boil-protection device operated.

 

There's a good chance the unit is toast, time to get a new one I'm afraid.

 

[kiwinz]

Thanks guys for the input. Any suggestions on decent replacement.

[The Fat Controller]

If you live in a cool winter area, go for higher power, 5 kW or above to ensure a hot shower.

 

My 3.7 kW MEX shower only delivers a warm one in Ubon winters but works fine, very basic and functional, they do a 5.1 kW version too.

 

We also have 18 JTL Electric 4.5 kW showers in our rooms for rent, small and neat and no issues for nearly 2 years.

 

 

Edited July 21, 2019 by The Fat Controller

[kiwinz]

Cheers  : )

[NanLaew]

I've heard good things about Sharp hot water shower units.

[steven100]

Every village has it's ghosts ….  but I didn't realise they had to shower every morning

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

I've heard good things about Sharp hot water shower units.

I have 3 of the Sharp units. The thing I really like about mine is the ability to change the water temperature with a digital readout and that they show when they are heating the water coming through, this means that when our storage thank gets warm enough I can just cut the power to the heating part of the shower and continue with a comfortable 33C~35C shower.

 

The first unit has lasted over 14 years.

[Crossy]

13 hours ago, The Fat Controller said:

If you live in a cool winter area, go for higher power, 5 kW or above to ensure a hot shower.

 

If you go above 4.5kW please ensure your wiring is up to it.

 

4.5kW is ok on 2.5mm² cable and a 20A breaker, anything bigger is going to need 4 or 6mm² cable.

 

We have 8kW heaters on 4mm² cable. 36A is on the limit for 4mm² but for a shower heater (intermittent load) there's no issue.