Electric showers - gravity fed

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 07:35

Has anyone fitted one to an old gravity fed system? And if yes what type, mains is often off so has to come from the tank which I assume is the norm here.

Due to the fact the pipe work showing on the roof is old push together grey plastic we do not want to run the risk of pressurizing the whole house and find out this is also in the walls and we blow a connector. Have changed taps and put small pumps on hot and cold side to assist flow but still not adequate for showers. As there is only a one ton tank the weight quickly decreases the flow and then one side overrides the other The only answer now seems to fit electric showers but will it solve the problem or replumb the place expensive & messy.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 08:15

There is a variety of different make and specs. of 'power showers' at 'Homebase' [RoC/Nicosia] - some of these may have an inbuilt pump that will draw in the water to a small internal tank and then pump the water out through the shower head, or tap, if the unit is used over a sink basin. As with everything in Cyprus [North or South] to do with bathroom fittings, machinery, etc., expect the cost of purchase to be almost double UK prices. Generally, these units are quite light; so, perhaps you could get someone coming here from UK to bring you one. Of course, most of these units have 1/2" thread connections, and I suspect your feed pipe(s) are the same.

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 17:02

electric showers need pressure to work. they are deseigned for mains pressure. they dont recomend pumped pressure either.. if you need advice call me tomo .. 05338384636

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 20:21

They work on the same principal as a pressure washer, which doesn't work if high pressure water is pumped into it - hence what I said in msg 2.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 20:34

Is is some time since I was active in the trade (apart from softening, RO, UV and filtration) but as I recall there are two types of electric shower.

The most common is desgned to work from mains pressure (between 1.5 and 4 bar). There are other showers with a small in built pump and they can work from gravity feed (they are designed to be from a tank).

In both cases as they are using a small boiler you would be well advised to have some sort of water softening as generally in the TRNC the water is rather herd and will reduce their efficiency quite quickly. For ideas on that look at our specialist web site.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 20:44

Re. msg 5...

"For ideas on that look at our specialist web site. "

- that would be: - http://softcleanwater.co.uk/ then!

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
25/09/2011 21:15

Msg 6 sounds right wait till Tom looks in again to make sure

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
26/09/2011 05:43

this sounds a nightmare - All i want is people to have a shower without moaning its too hot, too cold or not enough water. i did a search on google and this was one which mentions gravity Manual Power Shower Bristan Cascade White Gravity Fed but if i get it from the uk i have no guarantee but then this is cyprus - will i see the plumber again if he fits it or then be told about the water and it should of had a softener.

racoonchic



Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3223

Message Posted:
26/09/2011 08:00

i am a plumber.. call me and il look free of charge and give you your options

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
26/09/2011 11:32

It is really very straight forward.



But do not confuse a power shower with an electric shower.



A power shower normally refers to a pumped unit to boost pressure ,



Electic showers are normally instant heat showers. A decent one is generally 7.5 to 10 KW.



But the water temperature coming into your house here is not as cold as in the UK so you will probably get awy with 7.5 and still get a reasonable shower.



They would normally require mains pressure, However we did have a couple of instances in the UK when we had to pump assist them.



But in the UK it was against the law to pump assisit mains water.



So we pumped from the tank.



I do know peole here who have fitted them from the pumped supply and they work .



It would not be wise to fit one to the mains supply in TRNC, unless you have a constant water supply.



IE it's no good having a shower fitted to the mains if there is no water coming into to the property.



Just make sure you use a good electrician.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
26/09/2011 12:55

John Msg 7 - yes http://www.softcleanwater.co.uk

Sall Msg 8 -As thoughts have a look at the following (none might be suitable but) this information might help you:

http://www.mirashowers.co.uk/onlinecatalog/detail.htm?productNumber=Elite%20ST%209.8kW§ion=Electric%20showers&resultPageKey=-1299327691-0&category=



http://www.mirashowers.co.uk/onlinecatalog/detail.htm?productNumber=1.1759.003§ion=Electric%20showers&resultPageKey=-1624442381-0&category=



http://www.tritonshowers.co.uk/electric-showers/t90xr-pumped-electric-shower.aspx



http://www.tritonshowers.co.uk/electric-showers/t150z-pumped-electric-shower.aspx

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
26/09/2011 16:17

The above units are perect for the application.



From previous experience Mira always performed far better than Triton.

snd1966


Joined: 10/06/2009
Posts: 353

Message Posted:
27/09/2011 05:49

Thanks all for your input, very grateful as i have forwarded link to the owner who can be reassured i am doing my homework before suggesting costly improvements which then do not work and then get a shrug in response.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
27/09/2011 10:13

Sally Msg 13 - The research in msg 11 took a few minutes as I knew what I was looking for - I'm sure all of us feel you are welcome. Like all advice it is only as good as the way it is used.



If you get the chance look at http://www.softcleanwater.co.uk for your filtration, UV, RO and softening. (There you are Keith & John and thanks for mentioning it.)