PV immersion heater proportional control

[Worcester]

Proof please

echase has only posted on threads relating to immersion heater controls and has consistently berated the immersun and various other products, and then all of a sudden reactivates an old thread and then promotes a product from a company only registered in October last year, and a website regsitered in December 2012, draw your own conclusions...


Or maybe it's just me being biased the other way ......

 

[JulianC]

Yes, my "competitor bashing" alarm had triggered... along with my bulls**t detector.

 

[Worcester]

@Series530 / @thushar, at least those guys have been round the blok a while, here are their earlier incarnations: Intelligent Solar PV Immersion Heater Switch - Use Surplus PV Power to Heat Water (csroll down the page to view Versions I, II and now III )

 

[series530]

I have no axe to grind - I don't know this company and I have no issue with the Immersun product either.

On face value alone, it makes it an interesting proposition. That said, I'm amazed that they can turn out a product at that price and still offer a two year warranty. I know that what I have built myself has grown in complexity and now does a whole lot more than many offerings on the market. That said, I suspect that, all in, I've probably spent as much as that unit costs building my own system.

People are waking up and realising that you don't have to install solar heat exchangers on your roof to heat water provided you already have a PV system. Add to that the fact that you are giving away something that you could use yourself and still be paid for - these PV dump systems provide a compelling proposition and should be a decent earner for both consumer and installer in the future.

If this company can make the product, sell it and properly support it then good luck to them. If I were in the market to buy a PV dump system I would be very cautious, especially in light of what has been posted very recently on this thread.

 

[Worcester]

@series530, no critiscism meant, sorry if you took it that way. It's good to see other products coming on the market.

We had long chats with various inverter manufacturers early last year about what was needed in the market place and gave them a reatil price point of £200.

Considering what you can by 3.6kW inverter for, getting these to a price point of £200 retail for an inverter manufacturer should neve have been an issue, especially for the chinese ones

 

[series530]

Hi Worcester,

I was probably being a little over sensitive and mistook the intention. Apologies for that.

I guess that we have been too used to seeing relatively new products with an early adopter price tag. The relative cost of an inverter, as you sensibly mentioned, puts things into perspective.

I just wonder how, unless such a company took a huge punt and bought in the thousands, the price point could be squeezed enough and a decent margin with some after sales service thrown in could be attained so as to make it viable. I suppose it could be Fred in a shed with a windfall just buying these units in bulk from Asia and putting them in a cardboard box, attaching a stamp and keeping his fingers crossed. It is interesting to note that their previous offerings all boasted a union jack. This one does not.

We'll see in six months or a year from now if they are still around. I hope for all concerned that they are. It would be a shame to take people's money and then not be in a position to support them afterwards.

 

[jason121]

Where is solarimmersion made and does it use the same technology as the immersion ???

 

[lydart]

Website clearly states that the item is designed and made in the UK.

 

[jason121]

looks familiar

 

[thushar]

these guys have been in the solar switch innovations for some time: Intelligent Solar PV Immersion Heater Switch - Use Surplus PV Power to Heat Water (scroll down the page to view Versions I, II and now III )

mark I came out in 2011, Mark II in April 2012 and Mark III in Jan 2013 . Mark I monitors only pv output, Mark II is differential but switched, Mark III is proportional .

details of Mark III is on dedicated site - SolarImmersion ? Surplus Solar Energy Water Heater |

Looks like they have a good track history

 

[series530]

Website clearly states that the item is designed and made in the UK.

I take back what I said - even more astounding that they can make a decent margin using UK production!

 

[thushar]

I take back what I said - even more astounding that they can make a decent margin using UK production!

Yes - Wonder how they could manage that. Suspect the price will go up after the pre-order.

 

[jason121]

does it work the same as the immersion

 

[puddy]

does it work the same as the immersion

I don't have hot water cylinder but have a boilermate 2000, I am buying a new car this year and was looking at Vauxhall Ampera hybrid car could charge it when not used with is device?

 

[jason121]

If the design is like the immersion then no, it wouldn’t be able to charge your car.
Needs resistive loads only with no electronics or switching devices.