Calorifier Electrics .. It Trips Out. Why?

[Karambah]

The calorifier circuit on my Zaffiro 34 'trips' at the pontoon electrics fuseboard when I switch it on whilst connected to shore power, and with engines cold.

With warm engines (and hence with hot water) the electrics do not trip when switched on and whilst connected to the same shore power.

The calorifier electrics does not trip either when cold water is being heated using power from the onboard generator.

Anyone perhaps suggest me reasons to explore why its electrics trips only when connected to shore power and without having recently run the engines?

Thanks

 

[gravygraham]

What is it that 'trips' off? The MCB on the shorepower bollard, the RCD on the bollard, or an MCB or RCD onboard? If it's the MCB on the bollard it could be that it's not rated to high enough to power your immersion heater element in your calorifier. It might only be a 6amp MCB.

 

[rubberduck]

I had this, the element is probably beginning to let you down, but your generator is less sensitive than the pontoon RCD. It will also start tripping soon I would think. If the engines are heating water I presume it is not working as hard. That was my problem anyway.

 

[dpb]

I think the engines heat to a higher temp than the electric element so its not tripping when the water is hot from the engines coz its not on!
Otherwise as said before you are using different protection devices when using shorepower or generator. So unless the element cover (on the outside of the tank) has got damp it is likely your element is on the way out.

 

[Karambah]

What is it that 'trips' off? The MCB on the shorepower bollard, the RCD on the bollard, or an MCB or RCD onboard? If it's the MCB on the bollard it could be that it's not rated to high enough to power your immersion heater element in your calorifier. It might only be a 6amp MCB.

Thanks for input Lady Lou. It is the MCB on the pontoon bollard that trips out when the calorifier electrics is switched on on the boat. I will get the harbour folks to test its capacity

 

[Karambah]

Thanks rubberduck and dpb for inputs. I sense that a new heater element needs to be purchased too.

 

[No Regrets]

Disconnect power, disconnect wires on heater (tape them up!!) then turn it all back on and see if the power trips. If not, it's your element!

 

[chrisgil]

just logged on after long absence. I had a similar problem in Menorca. Hard water, lots of calcium deposit on element. If hard water in Cyprus then suggest remove and clean element. I cleaned about half a bucket from the hot tank!