Difference between multipoint and shower heater

[cheeryble]

I have a Stiebel multipoint 6kw which has failed after 5 years. Amorn says cant fix.

It's feeding just the kitchen sink which has a mixer tap.

I thought to myself do I really need 6kw and they are expensive near 7000 baht.

 

A friend said he just uses a shower  heater and it will turn on at the bath end by leaving the flow cock open at the heater and just opening the tap or faucet for the shower.

 

I went to Homepro and the guy had the same model......thereofre easy to exchange with he same backplate and hoses...........and a couple of alternatives.

I pointed at the shower heaters and asked why can't I use one of them at half the price.

He  was quite firm that something was wrong about that but I didn't get it as he spoke too fast.

 

Can someone here tell me why people spend 7000 for multipoint if they could spend 3 to 4000 for a name brand shower heater? Is there a technical reason apart from the multipoints are smaller?

 

ps He had a model called Clarte which was multipoint and quite a lot cheaper........anyone know is this a good brand?

 

Thanks!

 

Edited February 21, 2017 by cheeryble

[Crossy]

It's all to do with flow switches and venting.

 

Shower heaters usually have pressure operated switches and the flow control on the inlet. The outlet is open and in the event of a failure any steam vents safely through the shower head.

 

Multipoint heaters have flow operated switches, and have safety vents which operate if the internal pressure gets too high.

 

If you can find a shower heater with a flow switch, it will work ok, but won't be vented and could go bang if the heater gets stuck on.

[cheeryble]

Thanks for nailing it as always Crossy

[David B in Thailand]

Just because Amorn said they can not fix your name brand water heater does not mean you could not ship it to Stiebel Eltron and pay them to fix it. You can contact that reputable manufacturer with details of the model and problem and ask for a repair quotation. I have sent two 8000 watt multi points to them for prompt repairs, long after the warranty had expired. They would use genuine parts. You might look at the design features of that other brand and compare it to a Panasonic or Stiebel Eltron.  It may be obvious to you why there is a difference in price. 

[cheeryble]

Thank you David B hadn't occurred to me that SE do repairs themselves.

Just looked up the local website and they give a hotline for maintenance and service around Thailand.

First step to make sure AMORN haven't dumped it.....should think they'd hold it for a respectable time for no-shows like me, only a couple of weeks so far.

Would be great if this came off.....thanks again!

Out of interest what were the faults on yours?

[cheeryble]

Called Stiebel they had English on Dial 9 and very easy conversation with young lady.

She said we would send someone to us up in CM.

I said fine but it's likely the element (the terminals showed pitting and dark marks on the casing and resistance seemed to be very unstable) could she tell me the ballpark cost as that is probably the worst case scenario?

She said a problem they won't have spare parts until the end of April....which is not exactly "just in time" stock management.

But probably worth the wait.

I said let me first check Amorn still have it.

They did, and I heard the words "short" and "heater" 

I think by heater they mean "element"......any comments?

So I shall get back to Jane at Stiebel.

 

David B you said you sent your items off to Stiebel.....whereas she spoke of a techie coming round to analyse think it was about 500bt.

Did you just get your units back with a price for one part or do they do a recon job all round and one can consider it like a new unit you think?

 

Another potentially helpful thing was she said if I was in BKK they may be able to "lend" me a unit while we wait......but not possible for CM.

 

[David B in Thailand]

I live in Issan. The units were past the 5 year warranty period. I was in fact given the option for an in home visit by their employee or contracted repair staff. It was less money for me to mail the units to Stiebel Eltron and they mailed the units back to me. A local water pump shop did the actual removal and re installed the multi point 8000 watt water heaters in a bathroom and in a kitchen. I was quoted via an e-mail the cost estimate prior to shipment. A Thai plumber from a water pump shop had told my wife what part was in need of replacement. I can not say my Stiebel Eltron water heaters were reconditioned, but these under the counter units have worked perfect for over two years since the repair. 

[cheeryble]

Thanks for that David.