Immersion thermostat?

[bpowell555]

Following the recent tragic news about the baby that died following hot water tank thermostat failure I've looked at mine again since it did once "boil over" into the cold tank when the immersion heater was left on. Thankfully I was awake and it hadn't done it for long.

Does this mean there is no thermostat or the thermostat needs replacing? I'd fitted a timer so its only on in economy 7 hours but I have to watch it through the year so it doesn't overheat, putting it on for less time in the summer.

Attached photo, any comments much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[corgiman]

just the thermostat

it MUST have a resettable over heat stat incorperated within

 

[Bahco]

Read ChrisR's post HERE

 

[bpowell555]

So just empty the tank with the heating off and pull that thing out the top - is there something there I can replace?

Cheers for the quick reply!



edit: aaag, they're coming thick and fast now, cheers for that second post I'll read the link now

 

[bpowell555]

Ok ChrisR's post looks excellent, interested to hear its a dry procedure. Will have a gander for parts on screwfix since I've got an order open.

Cheers chaps. That's got to be the worlds fastest ever forum answer.

 

[ChrisR]

Have got it into the FAQ's by the way, page 3 item 36.
Here
May add to it yet...

 

[JohnD]

Don't take ChrisR's advice on too-hot cylinders - he's obviously got no idea

 

[bpowell555]

Don't take ChrisR's advice on too-hot cylinders - he's obviously got no idea

Don't worry I know about ChrisR and generally ignore everything he says

screwfix don't have em, ho hum its a trip to Drakes then

Also found this idiot's guide
http://www.diydata.com/problem/immersion/immersion_heaters.php

Cheers!

 

[ChrisR]

Don't worry I know about ChrisR and generally ignore everything he says

Just for that I've stolen your photo for the FAQ!

You can buy them here
http://www.bes.co.uk/products/graphics/10300.gif

 

[bpowell555]

 

[bpowell555]

Hi chaps - this is all done - 10 days that's got to be a record!

Because the plumbers merchant didn't have just the stat in stock I got the whole immersion heater and would like to swap the old one out. I've fitted just the stat for now. What I was wonderin was, as its set into foam insulation - see pic above - is this the spanner I need to remove the old one?

Cheers!



http://www.screwfix.com/prods/29549/Hand-Tools/Pipe-Wrenches/Box-Immersion-Spanner

I'm also gonna replace the cable with

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/16684/Plumbing/Hot-Water-Cylinders/3183TQ-2-5mm-Immersion-Cable-1m

... the insulator on the old conductor is hard and cracking

 

[mark.neale]

Yes, as the insulation on the cable is cracking, its a very good idea to replace the cable.

As regards replacing the heater element, which as far as I can tell from your post is still working, I would leave well alone. The copper on some cylinders is very thin, and some elements are very tight. The force used to unscrew a tight element can sometimes tear the copper around the hole where the element is mounted. Then you will have to buy a whole new cylinder!

You have already replaced the safety critical thermostat, it is perfectly safe to leave the element in place. Only replace if the element fails, but don't attempt the job otherwise.

P.S. If you do decide to replace, that is the best type of spanner.

 

[slapper]

Following the recent tragic news about the baby that died following hot water tank thermostat failure I've looked at mine again since it did once "boil over" into the cold tank when the immersion heater was left on. Thankfully I was awake and it hadn't done it for long.

Does this mean there is no thermostat or the thermostat needs replacing? I'd fitted a timer so its only on in economy 7 hours but I have to watch it through the year so it doesn't overheat, putting it on for less time in the summer.

Attached photo, any comments much appreciated.

Cheers! There should be a thermostat housed within the immersion heater,this should switch the immersion heater off at the desired temperature which will roughly between 50/55c.hope this helps

 

[bpowell555]

Yes, as the insulation on the cable is cracking, its a very good idea to replace the cable.

As regards replacing the heater element, which as far as I can tell from your post is still working, I would leave well alone. The copper on some cylinders is very thin, and some elements are very tight. The force used to unscrew a tight element can sometimes tear the copper around the hole where the element is mounted. Then you will have to buy a whole new cylinder!

You have already replaced the safety critical thermostat, it is perfectly safe to leave the element in place. Only replace if the element fails, but don't attempt the job otherwise.

P.S. If you do decide to replace, that is the best type of spanner.

Thanks that great advice - I'll leave well alone till it goes pop and just replace the cable.