Geyser Life Extension

LSS Geyser life Extension

CAUSES OF GEYSER FAILURE

Geysers fail mainly due to the following reasons:

1. Corrosion

Corrosion is slowed by the use of a sacrificial anode rod housed inside the geyser which “sacrifices” itself to extend the life of the geyser.
It has a life of up to 5 years whereafter, the casing of the geyser corrodes.

 

 

Sacrificial Anode

Water wants to attack the steel lining of the geyser, therefore a rod of a more reactive metal that corrodes faster than the geyser lining is used for the sacrificial anode.
The sacrificial anode is an essential component of your geyser. It is a long metal rod, made of magnesium or aluminum, which extends through the tank’s interior and will corrode away completely before the water begins to attack the steel water tank. As long as these anode rods are regularly checked and replaced, your geyser tank will be protected from corrosion. In other words, it “sacrifices” itself to extend the life of the geyser.
It is recommended to inspect the sacrificial anode every one to three years and replacing it when it has been consumed more than 50%.

 

 

2. Thermostat Switching Failure

Maximum damage to the switching mechanism occurs at plus 230 volts and minus 230 volts.
This damage gets progressively less until the zero voltage cross over is reached where no damage occurs.
This principal is best illustrated with the spark plug of a motor car.

A brand new spark plug, boxed in 1950 will still work if placed in a motor today.

Every time the plug sparks, the life of the spark plug deteriorates.

SABS STANDARDS

SABS Standard

A geyser has to be able to switch on and off a certain number of times in order to meet the SABS standard for the life of geyser elements, Sans 514, in order to use the SABS mark.

Clearly, switching can take place anywhere between +230 volts and –230 volts.

Switching at max voltage is what causes the greatest reduction in the life of a geyser.

As the switching take place at lesser voltages, the negative effect on the life of the element gets progressively less and less until the zero-point voltage is reached where there is no negative effect on the life of the element.

Currently, the thermostat, which does the switching, does so completely randomly, so the chances of it switching at, or even close to zero voltage is infinitesimal.

SPIKING

From a technical perspective, it must be noted that the LSS system, does not randomly break the flow of current, which could cause “spiking”, but switches at the “Zero Point Crossing.”

This is the point in the cycle where no power is flowing, so the flow of current is already off when the switching takes place.

LSS TO THE RESCUE

The LSS System, with its patented cycle limiting technology and anode life sensing capability, significantly prolongs the lifespan of geysers and its components.

1. LSS provides a VERY EARLY warning of the pending failure of the sacrificial anode.

2. LSS does the switching, both on and off and does so only at the zero point crossing resulting in a vastly extended life of the thermostat and the element.

INSURANCE POTENTIAL

Geyser failures are the single biggest claims made in household insurance policies.

The additional damage caused by burst geysers such as ceilings, walls, floors and other items like furniture, is substantial and often exceeds the cost of the geyser itself.

The fact the LSS System provides a VERY EARLY warning of a pending failure of the sacrificial anode PLUS protects the switching mechanism by only switching at the ZERO-POINT crossing is, clearly of extreme value to the insurance company!

Essential part of a household policy

It has been made quite clear to us from the initial talks with insurance companies, that, just like a vehicle tracking system is an essential requirement to obtains vehicle insurance, so installation of the LSS will be made compulsory in order for  a geyser to be covered in a household insurance policy.

Which insurance company would not like to reduce their claims?!

We are therefore proposing to the insurance companies that THEY FUND the installation of the LSS System!

The benefits for the lucky insurance company that we conclude an agreement with will be fourfold:

  1. By receiving an early warning of the pending failure of the sacrificial anode, they can send a team to change the anode that cost less than R200.00 instead of a potential R25 000 claim!

  2. By extending the life of a geyser, they will have an on-going reduction in geyser claims, which are the single biggest causes of household claims!

  3. They will be seen as the Company that ended load-shedding and the accolades and exposure that will flow from this will be unprecedented, can never be trumped and will catapult them to the number one position in their industry!

  4. A reduction in their taxable income can be made equivalent to their financial input!