1kW immersion

[jeffsurvey]

I hear that some electricians and PV installers are trying to source 1kW immersion heaters, try *link removed* it may provide an answer.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi, Welcome to the forum and thanks for the link.

 

[steve-the-hat]

1 kW and 2 kW 230 VAC immersion heaters are used a lot on boats.

Try Midland Chandlers | Home part numbers HC-044 and HC-042.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Ouch bit pricy? or is it something special??

I get the feeling poeple are jumping on the Solar band wagon offering "Solar" solutions from special decking to lift bags. Why is there an assumption that adding the word solar, you can multiply the cost, or am I missing something.

 

[duncster]

It looks like it only switches on if you are generating 1.5kw or more so quite a nice bit of kit you can make use of your solar system while you are out rather than feeding in at 3p per unit.

I am assuming it switches on and off automatically and it includes the element as well.

Based on some simple maths it will take about 2 years to recover its costs.

PS first post be gentle with me

 

[thegreenman]

It's not exactly smart though. It simply switches on the immersion when production goes above 1.5kW. No account is taken of how much of that power is being used already. Only really suitable for an empty house. Limited appeal I would think.

 

[pcollins]

I love the idea, although I agree its v.pricey.

Also, give how the output is up and down (our system, 2.64kWp, has crossed the 1.5kW line six times today) what sort of effect would this have on the life of the immersion and any other components? Just a thought.

But I applaud the idea, we need more of this sort of thing!

 

[powervan]

i passed it on to client we fitted system for but he has come up with a system using invertas internal relays to power his immersion heater (bit of an engineer) seems like it will work! i didnt even no the invertas had that capabillity in them!! perhaps i should put my glasses on next time i open up the manual!!

 

[SolarCity]

Which inverter is that? If it is the SMA range then I'm pretty sure he needs to have an SMA grid guard code to do so.

 

[delleray]

the sma4000tl has the relay which can be switched between alarm (i.e. problem) and genning > xx W.

d

 

[jollygreengiant]

Although you have probably found a solution it might be useful for others....I bought a unit sold at totalpowershop.com. I bought their TP-S610A starter kit (they call it a Renewable Energy Monitoring Unit or their REMU I).
The links section on their website lists a couple of suppliers of 1kw immersion heaters.
The unit monitors how much energy my house is consuming and how much power I am getting from my solar panels or any other renewable energy source. I've set it up so it automatically switches on my immersion heater (and up to 2 other appliances) when enough surplus energy is being generated.

It is only £199. I think it will pay for itself as well, although it may take a year or two to get my money back. In the mean time it will make sure that my home is not consuming anymore power than I want to. The control unit will also record my home’s energy production and consumption and download it to a pc.

 

[Andrew54]

I love the idea, although I agree its v.pricey.

Also, give how the output is up and down (our system, 2.64kWp, has crossed the 1.5kW line six times today) what sort of effect would this have on the life of the immersion and any other components? Just a thought.

But I applaud the idea, we need more of this sort of thing!

Agreed it could be good, but does a whole kilowatt make sense? If it is switched off due to shortage of sun it makes no sense! Many of us would benefit better from a 500w immersion. Heating for more hours this would be adequate hot water for a lot of us and would be in operation more days of the year.

 

[Andrew54]

Although you have probably found a solution it might be useful for others....I bought a unit sold at totalpowershop.com. I bought their TP-S610A starter kit (they call it a Renewable Energy Monitoring Unit or their REMU I).
The links section on their website lists a couple of suppliers of 1kw immersion heaters.
The unit monitors how much energy my house is consuming and how much power I am getting from my solar panels or any other renewable energy source. I've set it up so it automatically switches on my immersion heater (and up to 2 other appliances) when enough surplus energy is being generated.

It is only £199. I think it will pay for itself as well, although it may take a year or two to get my money back. In the mean time it will make sure that my home is not consuming anymore power than I want to. The control unit will also record my home’s energy production and consumption and download it to a pc.

This one seems the best price and no real installation, but how could I power my immersion heater through a 13 amp socket?

 

[pcollins]

Agreed it could be good, but does a whole kilowatt make sense? If it is switched off due to shortage of sun it makes no sense! Many of us would benefit better from a 500w immersion. Heating for more hours this would be adequate hot water for a lot of us and would be in operation more days of the year.

It depends - there has to be a line somewhere; I calculated (for a customer) that to raise a 100l hot water cylinder from 10 celsius to 65 celsius would take 8 hours with a 1kW heater, or from a more realistic 35 C for a depleted cylinder it would take 4 hours to raise temp to 65C. Therefore with a 500W immersion (can you get these) it would take twice as long.

I guess you have to balance what works best for your system - between the months of October and March our central heating would be on often enough that it wouldn't require much to heat the water at the same time. Between the months of April - September a correctly sized element could heat a big chunk of our water....

 

[jollygreengiant]

I replaced the switch that the immersion is connected to with a 3 pin socket, so I could plug the sensor plug socket in.

I think they can also provide a radio controlled switch which can be hard wired between the switch and the immersion heater.