Mira Advance Flex 8.7KW v 9.8KW

[JohnW2]

Exactly, which is why mine uses PWM zero switched triacs.

As said, PWM is the obvious way to go and, as you say, that effectively means that one has to have semiconductor switches, such as TRIACs.

Kind Regards, John

 

[YorkshireMidge]

I don't get the luxury thing.

AFAIC we automatically install 10.5KW Triton shower in all our properties, including rental properties.

At home we run it on the low power position which I guess is aprox 7KW and only rarely on high if the incoming water is exceltionally cold. We find the flow to be adequate for a decent shower and often find the high pressures of hotels showers to be offensive and generous silly amounts of steam for loads of condensation over the whole room.


To OP: I stick with triton as they have a very good helpline, easy repairs and all parts available, even better is many of the spares are used across many of their products. An electric shower is an ideal product for your situation to reduce the splashing of the carer. Been there and have the soaked T-shirts. Almost instant, no need to mess amout balancing hot and cold. Once the flow is set it's left alone and switching on gives consistant results every time. Wastes less water and despite what people will state; my own running cost measurements are extremely close to using a combi boiler.

@SUNRAY Thanks for the pointer on Triton - it seems they do a range of thermostatic care focused showers called Omnicare so I'll have a look at those as a possible alternative.

 

[SUNRAY]

...Nowt wrong with that, it's to protect the unit from overheating, and the user from being scalded - I don't live in an HMO, I just mention I'm having a shower, and then no one uses any water until I;m done.

None of the properties I have are HMO's but there are 3 flats (in 3 different blocks).
We don't have to be concerned about others using water at home, there may be a slight flicker on water pressure but not enough to make any difference.

As you say, to have multiple (usually jsut two) elements is a common (and much more sensible) approach - but on/off of two elements strill will not give very smooth temp control.

Kind Regards, John

I don't know if other makes or models are different but all the Triton's I've encountered of 8.5-10.5KW have 3 elements, usually 2 are welded together to form the low power. I've not measured the resistance or current But I make a guess they are all similar power. That way failure of any of the 3 will leave it with a standard low power setting.

 

[SUNRAY]

@SUNRAY Thanks for the pointer on Triton - it seems they do a range of thermostatic care focused showers called Omnicare so I'll have a look at those as a possible alternative.

The main reason I standardised on Triton is the help line which is direct into parts sales if required and parts from stock. One of my rentals had a Mira and their helpline took absolutely ages then a second call to their sales informed me the part I required wasn't available as a spare.

Make your own conclusion from that.

 

[JohnW2]

I don't know if other makes or models are different but all the Triton's I've encountered of 8.5-10.5KW have 3 elements, usually 2 are welded together to form the low power.

Fair enough - it's quite a along time since I last looked inside an electric shower of any make. However, in terms of what you're discussing (power, hence temp, control), if two of the three are 'welded together', in functional terms its only two elements.

I've not measured the resistance or current But I make a guess they are all similar power. That way failure of any of the 3 will leave it with a standard low power setting.

Yes, that would be true if all three are wired in parallel and one of them fails O/C.

However, I would somewhat doubt that's the reason for arrangement you describe. I suspect more likely that all three are identical, making it a bit cheaper to make, and the arrangement gives 2X W for 'low power and then adds an extra X W for 'high power'?

Kind Regards, John

 

[ebee]

However, I would somewhat doubt that's the reason for arrangement you describe. I suspect more likely that all three are identical, making it a bit cheaper to make, and the arrangement gives 2X W for 'low power and then adds an extra X W for 'high power'?

Likewise, it is a while since I investigated inside an electric shower.
Tritons I know above a certain wattage (8.2K/8.5K perhaps?) are three elements.
I think I remember a couple of times the measured cold resistance of the elements (with a simple multimeter) and two were similar and one was quite different (this occoured on each of the two or three shower units I tested). My aim was to investigate the possibillity of using a discared unit with intact elements for water in a shed, by connecting the different elements in series or not at all etc etc for different lower power considerations. As it was I never installed as such because it could not readily lend itelf achieve what I thought it might do.

Pretty much a thought experiment in reality!

 

[FrodoOne]

Solar Powered hot water storage heaters
or
reverse cycle "Heat Pumps" are
the only efficient things worth using, long term - in this "Day an Age",
with all of the cost involved

 

[blup]

I disagree Harry.
Unless a lot of users with different prefferences then simples.
The Flow Rate (therefore heat rate) has only to be altered fractionally throughout the year.
Most of the time, once you find a setting you stick with it for weeks/months, no problem.

Agreed, the thermostatic ones might be a necessity for care homes and the like, but for domestic users the standard electric shower can be set and left with the minor adjustments you refer to.

 

[ebee]

Yes, we use ours daily sometimes more and there are usually just two of us.
Seasonally we alter the setting approx 4 times over the year, no big deal.
However yes I do understand that it can depend upon the number of users and the type of those users so is not near ideal for everyone.

 

[SUNRAY]

Yes, we use ours daily sometimes more and there are usually just two of us.
Seasonally we alter the setting approx 4 times over the year, no big deal.
However yes I do understand that it can depend upon the number of users and the type of those users so is not near ideal for everyone.

Similarly here, I use it daily but Mrs S generally prefers the bath, I doubt she has every adjusted it.