Choice of intelligent switches ?

John_Pierpoint

I have managed to get round to reading the Navitron thread on this topic.
http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18186.30
http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,16862.15.html
This seemed to offer a certain flexibility, especially to those with more than one rating of immersion heater, or wanting to leave the washing to be done while at work:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251145414001?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Unfortunately the discussion got involved in a morality/political slanging match so I was not tempted to sign up and add another "intelligent" simple switch.

http://www.abswitch.co.uk/?page_id=9

I have yet to be convinced that anything that cycles on and off, as every cloud drifts past, won't soon burn out the contacts in its switch.

Keep the practical advice coming.

John

PS Thank you to all those who subsidised my "free" cavity wall poly bead insulation.

pwllbwdr

I'm probably going to get one of the Chinese systems per the ebay link. Their website is here http://www.sailwider.com/ and there's quite a lot of info on there. I run a shower pump off the immersion circuit so there isn't scope for me to have something like the Immersun.

As far as I can tell the sailwider kit switches things on or off at 15 minute intervals, so the switches won't be burning out quite as often as you might have thought. However, there's plenty of scope for generation conditions to change dramatically during 15 minutes.

zeupater

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

... and add another "intelligent" simple switch .....

Hi John

Looking at the link you provided I was surprised to see that the unit required approved installers and following the links provides no further information .... looks like a simple OWL-type installation with a couple of options on remote receiver/switches, so I can't see why it's not offered as a consumer market DIY product, apart from maintaining high price & margin.

With various products starting to come to market at least one of the offerings will decide to take the volume DIY route soon and spark a move towards competitive and realistic pricing ..

HTH
Z

John_Pierpoint

I think it is aimed at installers who can say "While we are here, how about an extra £100 (say) for this gizmo that will allow you to use more of your "free" electricity" ?

I am still wondering of it is worth getting a cheap transformer for the immersion or simply putting it in series with a heater on the threry thst during the winter the heat would come in useful for heating: (mention any small room that is difficult to heat with a night storage radiator).

Loddy_Solar

Hi, I've been following your comments regarding Immersun unit. We have a 3.84Kw solar array producing approx. 3600Kwh per year. A few questions I have, perhaps someone who has had unit fitted could help me with? Our household does not use a lot of hot water (only 2 people, mainly using electric showers) but we do have night storage heating on economy 7 tariff.
1. I understand Immersun can have 2 outputs, could I have primary output to immersion heater and secondary to a night storage heater? I've heard it can be done, but does anyone have personal experience?
2. Could internal timer then be used to top up during night on economy 7 tariff? (our whole house electrics change over to cheaper rate at night)
3. How is it wired in? is 2.5mm wire from immersion heater taken out of consumer unit and fitted directly into Immersun, and wire from Immersun wired back into consumer unit to now spare MCB?

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated, I'm not sure that unit is viable for hot water only in our household. Thanks, Jeff.

Martyn1981

Loddy_Solar wrote: »

1. I understand Immersun can have 2 outputs, could I have primary output to immersion heater and secondary to a night storage heater? I've heard it can be done, but does anyone have personal experience?

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated, I'm not sure that unit is viable for hot water only in our household. Thanks, Jeff.

Hiya Loddy, there is an interesting (and detailed) thread on Immersun, on the Navitron site. It even discusses secondary circuits, night storage heaters and firmware updates.

Check it out, particularly posts around 15/10/12 (reply 194ish onwards):

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,18186.30.html

Mart.

Loddy_Solar

Hi Mart,

Thanks for that, looks good.

Has anyone on this forum had any experiences with heaters, or night storage heaters with Immersun unit?

regards, Jeff.

[Deleted User]

Immersun install tomorrow :j
Getting very excited

sly_dog_jonah

Loddy_Solar wrote: »

Hi Mart,

Thanks for that, looks good.

Has anyone on this forum had any experiences with heaters, or night storage heaters with Immersun unit?

regards, Jeff.

Afraid I've got no experience with heaters or night storage with our ImmerSUN, but if you've got all your storage heaters on a dedicated circuit on your consumer unit (ie you can switch them all off but everything else stays on) and they don't exceed 3kW in total then you should be able to drive the circuit using the ImmerSUN. Note though that the heaters would warm up during the day not the night, for obvious reasons!

John_Pierpoint

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Immersun install tomorrow :j
Getting very excited

Can you ask your installers for their experience (if any) of wiring up TWO destinations for the surplus generation?

I have personally turned off all but a 2kW (approx) night storage heater and then changed the time clock to dump excess power into said night storage heater in the hall.
BUT presumably the switching has to be idiot proof to avoid damage/cut-out at the Immersun ?

Next Summer get it wrong and come home from a weekend away to piping hot water and a hall full of cracked antiques and wilted house plants:o

Reminds me of the time I flew off on a short break and came home to water running down the drive from that "last minute" watering of the greenhouse.