3kW Immersion Heater

[jimjim2991]

This is completely separate to my other thread.

I have an 11" 3kW titanium immersion heater that I use to heat a small tank of water. I've been using it for a long time. With the tank that I have I can heat up 10L of water to 70C. It works, but recently, I've heard popping noises and I've taken that as a sign to change my thermostat.

So, I got a new thermostat from CEF but it hasn't helped the water to reach 70C (only around 55C), so I returned the thermostat and they ordered me in a new one that apparently did not have some kind of temperature restriction on it (not sure what this means really?). I tried that and still I was only getting up to around 55C...

I can't think of a reason why I'm not achieving the same temperature with a different stat. Can anybody help me out with this? I just want a new stat that works like the old one!

 

[Pete999]

first continuity.should read around 19 Ω. then IR test it.

You're being silly now Tel

 

[jimjim2991]

May be the heater you have is "popping" it has been working to hard during it's lifetime, therefore the assumption being, its to small for the situation you have employed, working at maximum for to long, like anything else will eventually go U/S, ergo my statement get a larger heater, which will have some room for latitude and not work so hard, at least that's my take on this unusual use of an immersion heater, hope this goes some way to explaining my statement.

I agree with you it might be a good idea to buy a new heater, but don't you think it's curious that the popping went away when I changed the thermostat? And that one thermostat allows the heater to heat the water up to 70C, but the other does not?

In this situation I think it's pretty hard to tell whether it is the thermostat or the heater that is at fault.

Would you agree that testing the heater would be the best way of finding out?

 

[jimjim2991]

You're being silly now Tel

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant, but before I look into their reply more deeply, can you let me know what you think is silly about it?

 

[Pete999]

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant, but before I look into their reply more deeply, can you let me know what you think is silly about it?

That's quite alright Tel the OP is a DIY er so ever so doubtful that he has an insulation tester or a continuity tester or the technical where with all to carry out the tests you so rightly suggest he gets done, mind you I may be wrong the OP may be a technical wizard.

 

[telectrix]

i suppose it's a bit too much to ask of a neon screwdriver then?

 

[jimjim2991]

That's quite alright Tel the OP is a DIY er so ever so doubtful that he has an insulation tester or a continuity tester or the technical where with all to carry out the tests you so rightly suggest he gets done, mind you I may be wrong the OP may be a technical wizard.

I'm finding it hard to extract the useful help from these replies. I'm not sure what is joking around.

 

[Pete999]

i suppose it's a bit too much to ask of a neon screwdriver then?

The OP is described as a Scientist. so you never know, most Scientists I have met always have pens and the like stuffed into the top pocket of their Lab Coats. No disrespect OP just funing with you, hope you get your heating problems sorted.

 

[telectrix]

I'm finding it hard to extract the useful help from these replies. I'm not sure what is joking around.

you'll always get some banter on a forum. seriously though, if you think it's not the thermostat, then the element is an obvious suspect. maybe it's furred up with calcium chloride( from "hard" water) and needs a clean or replace.

 

[jimjim2991]

you'll always get some banter on a forum. seriously though, if you think it's not the thermostat, then the element is an obvious suspect. maybe it's furred up with calcium chloride( from "hard" water) and needs a clean or replace.

Yeah, I know! It's just that, as a complete newbie, it's hard to navigate the jungle of banter sometimes lol

The element looks in pretty good condition. It's still shiny and blue like it was when I first got it.

I actually use the tank to test different cleaning chemicals and they've helped to keep it in good condition.

 

[Pete999]

I think the advice given has been very helpful, as Tel says the element could be furred up, it's a logical step to replace the heater, advice would be to get a larger Wattage one to avoid over working, it's like having a boiler in your house that's not large enough for the job it would hardly ever switch off and eventually pack up out of exhaustion, hence my suggestion in the previous post, as for the joking around, it's a fun thing there is no malice in it or intended, you will find there are guys who will poo poo someone who is not an Electrician, and can become quite outspoken, most of the guys who have contributed to this post are in no way like that, an example of what I mean is Tel's reply to do an IR test, you may have got a response along the lines "he's a DIYer what does he know about insulation testing" but you didn't you got constructive advice.

 

[telectrix]

ok, a tip.....there's a few comedians on here. usually, you can tell by the content of the post, or by reading some earlier posts by the guilty few. here's a clue.

 

[Midwest]

Not sure if this has been mentioned OP, but you'll find most modern thermostats have a maximum setting of 60'c. That's to stop Nigella Lawson forming and Mrs Miggins being scolded in the bath. Here's your thermostat I believe;

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

Some thermostats are even pre-set at 60'c, i.e. not adjustable, to stop people messing around with them, and the above happening.

The popping noise, that sometimes common with air bubbles forming in the top of the tank from the heating element, dependant on its mounting position.

 

[jimjim2991]

Not sure if this has been mentioned OP, but you'll find most modern thermostats have a maximum setting of 60'c. That's to stop Nigella Lawson forming and Mrs Miggins being scolded in the bath. Here's your thermostat I believe;

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

Some thermostats are even pre-set at 60'c, i.e. not adjustable, to stop people messing around with them, and the above happening.

The popping noise, that sometimes common with air bubbles forming in the top of the tank from the heating element, dependant on its mounting position.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I discovered that the maximum setting was a thing, went back to CEF and asked for one with no maximum, and they said they could supply one with 80C max setting. As you can see it has 80C printed on the side; thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/

Unfortunately it still did not reach that temperature.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I discovered that the maximum setting was a thing, went back to CEF and asked for one with no maximum, and they said they could supply one with 80C max setting. As you can see it has 80C printed on the side; thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/

Unfortunately it still did not reach that temperature.

But it used to reach the required temp, change the heater

 

[jimjim2991]

But it used to reach the required temp, change the heater

It still reaches the required temperature with one of the thermostats.