I have just installed a new electric shower (Gainsborough e50 offered by Messrs B and Q for under fifty quid on clearance).

Upon first turning on the water supply, the shower passes water from the hose outlet. I don't think this should happen as there's no power supply to the solenoid yet. Twiddling the knobs makes no difference (turning the flow knob reduces the flow but not off completely, which is as expected).

The instructions mention letting water flow before fitting the spray handset as part of commissioning, but I wouldn't expect water to flow before turning on at the on/off button.

I suspect the product may be faulty?

Owain

On 23/11/2015 19:58, wrote:
I have just installed a new electric shower (Gainsborough e50 offered
by Messrs B and Q for under fifty quid on clearance).

Upon first turning on the water supply, the shower passes water from
the hose outlet. I don't think this should happen as there's no power
supply to the solenoid yet. Twiddling the knobs makes no difference
(turning the flow knob reduces the flow but not off completely, which
is as expected).

The instructions mention letting water flow before fitting the spray
handset as part of commissioning, but I wouldn't expect water to flow
before turning on at the on/off button.

I suspect the product may be faulty?

It does sound faulty. The main water valve must be open, possibly kept
open by a piece of crud. Applying power such that the valve opens
properly and clears the obstruction might be an idea.

Personally I would take it back.

YMMV

On 23/11/2015 19:58, wrote:
I have just installed a new electric shower (Gainsborough e50 offered
by Messrs B and Q for under fifty quid on clearance).

Upon first turning on the water supply, the shower passes water from
the hose outlet. I don't think this should happen as there's no power
supply to the solenoid yet. Twiddling the knobs makes no difference
(turning the flow knob reduces the flow but not off completely, which
is as expected).

The instructions mention letting water flow before fitting the spray
handset as part of commissioning, but I wouldn't expect water to flow
before turning on at the on/off button.

I suspect the product may be faulty?

Owain


I've just installed an e50. Cheap and cheerful, but then so was the last
Gainsborough, which was still working fine after 20 years! I don't think
I'd make any decisions before wiring the thing up. If it is faulty, you
will presumably get a replacement, so it won't be wasted effort.
They were on special offer rather than a clearance item. Our local B&Q
had them stacked high but, within a week, they'd gone

On Monday, 23 November 2015 19:58:10 UTC, wrote:
I have just installed a new electric shower (Gainsborough e50 offered by Messrs B and Q for under fifty quid on clearance).

Upon first turning on the water supply, the shower passes water from the hose outlet. I don't think this should happen as there's no power supply to the solenoid yet. Twiddling the knobs makes no difference (turning the flow knob reduces the flow but not off completely, which is as expected).

The instructions mention letting water flow before fitting the spray handset as part of commissioning, but I wouldn't expect water to flow before turning on at the on/off button.

I suspect the product may be faulty?

Owain

The solenoid valve should be closed when there's no power, so I'd take it back.
Possibly there's some crud jamming it that might wash out if it's operated but why take a chance there's been permanent damage?

On Monday, 23 November 2015 20:04:28 UTC, Fredxxx wrote:
It does sound faulty. The main water valve must be open, possibly kept
open by a piece of crud. Applying power such that the valve opens
properly and clears the obstruction might be an idea.

Well, I've wired it up and it now seems to have cleared itself, and hasn't blown up. There is a teeny drip through the hose now but I expect that's fairly typical of showers and it might just be a drip rather than a leak.

Gainsborough appear to be made by Aqualisa now and the internal quality is better than I would have expected from the brand, and for under £40 quite happy.

Just have to finish the grouting now!

Thanks all

Owain

wrote:
On Monday, 23 November 2015 20:04:28 UTC, Fredxxx wrote:
It does sound faulty. The main water valve must be open, possibly kept
open by a piece of crud. Applying power such that the valve opens
properly and clears the obstruction might be an idea.

Well, I've wired it up and it now seems to have cleared itself, and
hasn't blown up. There is a teeny drip through the hose now but I expect
that's fairly typical of showers and it might just be a drip rather than a leak.

Gainsborough appear to be made by Aqualisa now and the internal quality
is better than I would have expected from the brand, and for under £40 quite happy.

Just have to finish the grouting now!

Thanks all

Owain


Plumbed it in series with your waste water heat recovery unit I hope. ;-)

Tim

On Tuesday, 24 November 2015 15:35:12 UTC, Tim wrote:
Plumbed it in series with your waste water heat recovery unit I hope. ;-)

You mean I have to do waste water plumbing as well??? The instructions never mentioned that.

Owain