[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Just wondered how long the elements last for you guys with immersion heater set-ups.
Had 2 2kw elements put in just over a month ago. (800ltr system, 2 x 400ltr tanks joined).
One failed earlier this week. Is there a particular brand that has served you well ?
...Mine were around £35.00 each.
Thanks, Gary

[Smudger]

Jeeeze!

Screwfix do them for £16 or off ebay from £12. Did you buy gold plated ??

Darran

[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Hi Smudger,
my mate, qualified leccy, bought em (not sure where).
How long have yours lasted?
Thanks, Gary

[Smudger]

I've only just changed my tanks over to fitted immersion elements, before I used the cheap travel ones from China, they have lasted 3 years so far

Darran

[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Appreciate reply. Ta 

[DeLuce]

Had mine 4yrs, bought from Toolstation, nothing special.

[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Hmm, looks like cheaper option for me this time!

[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Just spoken to my electrician friend. Apparently the reason my elements were more expensive is that they are 2kw as opposed to the more standard 3kw that are designed to be permanently wired into household hot water tanks and the like. He reckons there is a danger of repeatedly burning out 13amp plugs and so forth. Whats your experience? Are you regularly putting out fires ? 

[ChumBucket]

Just spoken to my electrician friend. Apparently the reason my elements were more expensive is that they are 2kw as opposed to the more standard 3kw that are designed to be permanently wired into household hot water tanks and the like. He reckons there is a danger of repeatedly burning out 13amp plugs and so forth. Whats your experience? Are you regularly putting out fires ? 

You should not be putting immersion elements through a 13amp system. Ok, yours are 2kw & not 3kw but I still wouldn't want it on a 13amp plug. Mine is a long-life 27" element from Toolstation & has lasted 4 years so far BUT.. learn from my mistake as I DID melt plugs & could have set my house on fire!! You MUST get your sparky friend to fit a 3kw element wired with 16amp gear throughout & into it's own 16amp breaker in the main consumer unit in your house. Use only 16amp plugs, sockets & cable & you'll be fine. I have an external 16amp socket on the wall outside. This is wired into the consumer unit inside via a 16amp timer. I then use a 16amp extension cable to go from this extrenal socket into the van & plug into a 16amp plug on the end of the immersion cable- all works a treat with no safety issues, done by a pro' sparky too.

So, when required I just plug up, set the timer indoors & that's it.

[SHINING EXAMPLE]

Cheers for that 'CB' !
Will talk to my friend.