I have a hot water system that consists of an immersion heater element into the top of a hot water tank for the hot water in my house (I have no boiler or central heating).

5 days ago it stopped working so I called a plumber. The plumber has now replaced the hot water tank as the old one was leaking, and fitted the new tank with a brand new immersion element (27") and thermostatic control. Unfortunately, I have had to have the plumber back 7 times over the past 4 days since fitting this tank/immersion as I still do not have hot water.

After leaving the water to heat up in the tank for over 1 hour+ I then check it, and when you put your hand under the tap it is red-hot, but if I try to fill the bath after a minute or so it goes Luke-warm then cold (giving me only about 2 inches of hot water..).

The plumber has replaced the thermostat (twice) and then today he replaced the full immersion element (27") with a new one - but yet it's still the same!

We have tried turning the temperature up on the small screw controlled dial on top of the thermostat on the immersion element but if it's turned up too far the small reset button pops out to disable it - if its set even just slightly under that point then the water doesn't get hot enough...?

Both myself and the plumber are scratching our heads as we cannot understand what is happening. I have even paid extra to get an electrician in and he has checked all of the wiring from the fuse box to the immersion and also checked the voltage directly to the unit and says all is fine - so I am desperate for someone to try to offer any advice as to what is wrong here..

I had also heard from a family member that he had a similar issue some years ago where the thermostat that was put in his tank was causing the same problem (not enough hot water) and he says the plumber changed it as he said he had put the wrong one in (he said he should have put a thermostat for 'hard' water rather than then one had put in - for 'soft' water).. Is this true and you have to have a thermostat for either 'hard' or 'soft' water?

I really would appreciate any help and advice on this as it's driving us all crazy!  

Mike

CWatters wrote on Mar 6^th, 2011, 12:36am:


Hi - thanks for your reply.

The element that has been fitted is 27" deep - so it should be ample for heating the tank - and as you say, allowing the convecting currents to heat lower down - that's what is confusing me/us.. It's as though only the top 3rd of the tank is being heated - and especially after the element was swapped for a new one - so if the first was faulty, this one should be OK, yet the same thing is happening.

To answer your question about putting the element in lower down the tank - no, there is only the opening on top of the tank to put a vertical element/thermostat into.

Regards

Mike

thescruff wrote on Mar 6^th, 2011, 3:47am:


Hi

Over the past 4 days we have left the heater constantly on for hours on end - checking the water temperature usually after 2-3 hours on average (testing by running a bath - but only manage to get about 2 inches of hot water each time before it runs cold).

Cannot tell what the brand is as there is no markings on the element or thermostat.

The plumber originally set the temp at 60 degrees, but it wasn't producing any more hot water than a sink full - so we have been adjusting the temperature ever upwards to see if we can get more hot water out - but as mentioned, what happens when you do is the reset button trips out..

I would have thought that logically even if you were going to use an element for 'hard water' it wouldn't matter initially (although I'm not a plumber - hence my checking to see if anyone knows whether there was a need for it or not).

Regards

Mike

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Morning Wayne - thanks for your reply

Already did that - got a sparky to come and check the supply from the fuse box up through to the immersion - checking the voltage etc to ensure it was getting the correct supply and there was no breaks in the current or loose connections. He also checked the wiring on the immersion/thermostat to ensure it was wired correctly and that the current was ok to the connections on the thermostat..

So totally confused so far..

Regards

Mike

Mike can you post a photograph of your Tank/Cylinder?
Its easier if we can be sure exactly what is there bud.

The only other time Ive gone to one like this they had too short a stat in a 27" imersion heater.

Quote:


Will take a couple of photos shortly (just got up as i'm on 12 hour nights at moment.. )

CWatters wrote on Mar 6^th, 2011, 9:04am:


I will see what I can do to see how long it takes - will let you know

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Ok - hope these photos help?