Immersion Heater - PV electricity

[pauldreed]

Paul,

You have hit the nail on the head. One installer (AshadeGreener) fitted a seperate fuseboard and then linked it to the grid via new meter tails and a henley block(mother's house). When i had my solar panels fitted the installers (Homesun) they went directly into my existing fuseboard. (this was quickly changed) Both methods are correct according to th IEE regs.

This forum is about using the surplus available power and using it in an immersion heater. I have just elected to keep my existing immersion heater 3Kw and use a off the shelf controller to run it.
A 2.5 Kw controller is as little as £50
Plc is about £100
CT's are about £70 Pair (probably find cheaper) need them to be 4 - 20ma or 0 - 10v Dc output

Dont suppose anyone know how i can reduce this cost (CT's) ??

Try Current Cost Daisy Chain CT Sensor Jaw pack of two | eBay UK at £16.50p!

I use these and they are quite good.

 

[Rayrice]

Hi Paul,
I am interested in the used of my free lekky to heat water- can you send me details of the 26 inch 1kw heater- who makes it/sells it please?

 

[pauldreed]

Hi Paul,
I am interested in the used of my free lekky to heat water- can you send me details of the 26 inch 1kw heater- who makes it/sells it please?

See earlier in this thread - post 51 for details

 

[Rayrice]

See earlier in this thread - post 51 for details

:cheesy: Thanks Paul.
Ray

 

[jrichball]

I'm pleased you have located a supplier of a 1 kW immersion heater.
I wish to load up[ my solar panels in the same way. Could you please let me know which company supplies the 1 kW heaters?

 

[Rayrice]

Company is called Howden Electro Heating, 01698 573100, and they can supply a 1Kw 27 inch immersion heater for £83.52, including vat and carraige.
Ray

 

[Millerman]

hope you dont mind me saying but why pay £83 for a 1 kw immersion heater. I've found a thyristor controller for about £40 and you keep your existing 3 Kw immersion, just need a controller to run it, thats the easy bit.
Use all spare electric up to 2.5 Kw

 

[pauldreed]

hope you dont mind me saying but why pay £83 for a 1 kw immersion heater. I've found a thyristor controller for about £40 and you keep your existing 3 Kw immersion, just need a controller to run it, thats the easy bit.
Use all spare electric up to 2.5 Kw

Are you using a home built Phase Angle Controller or a ready made, off the shelf solution

 

[Millerman]

Paul Hi

I'm using an off the shelf unit. It's tried and tested and resonable cheap (2.5 Kw).

There are two units i've considered

0 Kw - 2.5 Kw and the other 0 Kw - 3 Kw

Both are controlled via a 0 - 10 V DC signal and the plc i am using does that fine.

There is a dead band at the lower end but never the less any thing over 500w is used. so if there is 1.75 kw spare, it is used. The unit switches off the immersion, or any other device if any power is taken from the grid. also switches itself back on when there is spare power.

Andy

 

[Rayrice]

That sounds ideal Andy, where do you get it from, and how much does it cost?
Ray

 

[Millerman]

Ray see posts 48, 71, 73, 74, 82, 84

The units are available from RS (Thyristor controller) PLC from Rs or EDC (program for PLC from Me!!!) CTs from Scatterrgood and Johnson. I could do a deal on all of them.

Andy

 

[Rayrice]

Hi Andy,
Sounds excellent, but I have a confession to make; I am not an electrician, so though I get the gist of what you are proposing, I am not sure that I would have the skills to put it all together and set it up. Am happy to spend the cash if I am able to set it up myself. What do you reckon?
Ray

 

[Millerman]

Ray you have my email address, lets coresspond via external means.

As long as the PV system has been fitted a certain way and you can put the equipment in a "box"
(to suit your location) . Not installations have the room to mount everything. The rest is easy.

Andy

 

[inie meanie]

Hi Andy
I have been looking at the Crouzet controller M3, Did you need to get an extension module to give the 0 to 10 vdc output? Or is there a model that does it all in one? I am at a similar point as I have just bought the coils from Scats and I have a Crydom thyristor 0 to 10 vdc. Would you be able to let me know what the part number is to save me making a possible expensive mistake. Many Thanks. Tony

 

[Millerman]

Tony hi,

The part numbers i'm to sure about, need to go home to look at the boxes, but will let you know. The model i used has 1 pwm output node 24 v DC so you need to buy a converter from Crouzet. I do have them in stock although i have to order them from France.

if you give us a ring 07717723352 i will chat directly. Txt first as i don't answer unknown numbers.