Hot Water

[tatom]

Well, this forum finally scared me into upgrading our electric system. We now are grounded and have a modern fusebox with breakers and GFI. We also have peace of mind. We lived for 12 years using a cheap, ungrounded hot water shower.

While we were having all the work done, I bought a new Mazuma shower heater. It was one of the more expensive ones, and has built in ECLB, surge protector, scald shutoff and works under low pressure.

My question is, there is a green light marked ECLB and it stays on all the time. Is this normal? Also, there is a dial to turn up the temperature. The unit is turned on when the water is turned on and the red light marked "power" comes on. Do I have to turn off the temperature dial each time we use it, or just shut off the water? When we shut off the water, the red light goes out.

[lopburi3]

There should be a test (release) for the ELCB. You should make the test on a regular basis and that should turn the light off (and the unit) I suspect. My units have ELCB but no lights so can not answer directly.

You should not have to change the temp control except when you want to change the water temp. I suspect it also has an on/off at the end of the range that you are talking about - I never turn off - just use water flow for on/off control. Many units also have a water on/off control (large button or bar) as well.

[GuestHouse]

Did it come with a set of instructions?

[Crossy]

Did it come with a set of instructions?

RTFM

Of course, you can guarantee it makes zero mention of the 'ELCB' light or of whether you should turn the temperature control 'off', bet it's in Thai Chinese too.

Edited March 19, 2008 by Crossy

[sbk]

Moved to the DIY forum

///MOVED///

[JetsetBkk]

The unit is turned on when the water is turned on and the red light marked "power" comes on. Do I have to turn off the temperature dial each time we use it, or just shut off the water? When we shut off the water, the red light goes out.

I used to leave the power on until one of my units no longer detected the water pressure, so the power stayed on and the water stayed hot.

So I always turn off the power at the temperature switch now.

[tatom]

Thanks for the replys. Crossey is exactly correct. The instructions tell how to install the unit and how to turn it on, and thats it.

[lopburi3]

The unit is turned on when the water is turned on and the red light marked "power" comes on. Do I have to turn off the temperature dial each time we use it, or just shut off the water? When we shut off the water, the red light goes out.

I used to leave the power on until one of my units no longer detected the water pressure, so the power stayed on and the water stayed hot.

So I always turn off the power at the temperature switch now.

I have five different wall point of use units and none of them operate that way - when the water flow stops they turn off heater completely (it does not keep the water hot like a hot pot). Perhaps you are talking about a storage type unit?

[JetsetBkk]

I used to leave the power on until one of my units no longer detected the water pressure, so the power stayed on and the water stayed hot.

So I always turn off the power at the temperature switch now.

I have five different wall point of use units and none of them operate that way - when the water flow stops they turn off heater completely (it does not keep the water hot like a hot pot). Perhaps you are talking about a storage type unit?

No, it's a normal shower unit with a very small cylinder inside for heating the water. If the temperature is set high (with the water input off) and then I turn on the power by pushing the power button, I can see the power light come on and hear the water starting to boil. The power light always goes off after a few seconds, probably because of an "over-temperature" detector and/or because it detects that the water is not flowing.

So if I leave it powered on with the water input off, I hear periodically (every 5 or 10 minutes) the water begin to boil and then it stops.

[Crossy]

So if I leave it powered on with the water input off, I hear periodically (every 5 or 10 minutes) the water begin to boil and then it stops.

Pressure switch is buggered!

Probably wise to get it fixed, the switch is usually a readily available 'micro-switch', piece of cake to sort.

[JetsetBkk]

So if I leave it powered on with the water input off, I hear periodically (every 5 or 10 minutes) the water begin to boil and then it stops.

Pressure switch is buggered!

Yep. I reckon, too.

The shower unit in another room works the same as Lopburi3's - and I can hear an audible click as soon as I turn the water input on or off, which I presume is the pressure switch working.

[Crossy]

The shower unit in another room works the same as Lopburi3's - and I can hear an audible click as soon as I turn the water input on or off, which I presume is the pressure switch working.

Pop the lid off (power off). You'll be amazed how primitive simple these things are, it's possible the switch actuator is seized (bring on the WD-40) if it's the switch itself it will likely be a standard unit, a quick trip to the hardware store should yield a replacement

[JetsetBkk]

Pop the lid off (power off). You'll be amazed how primitive simple these things are, it's possible the switch actuator is seized (bring on the WD-40) if it's the switch itself it will likely be a standard unit, a quick trip to the hardware store should yield a replacement

Sorted, Crossy - a squirt of WD40 on the little rod that comes out of the pressure switch fixed it, with a little teasing in and out with a pair of pliers. I also adjusted the position of the microswitch that the rod operates to get it to click on and off at the right time.