This 950W water heater could suit solar generators

Kernel_Sanders

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_26570.htm

This is a basically a huge kettle that doesn't need to be lifted for pouring. If required, the thermostat can be set to kick in when water has lost some heat, although solar generators will prefer to top up manually when the Sun is out. I'm hoping this is a variable thermostat so I could sometimes use this in place of my hot tap, thus avoiding all that wasted water (and therefore heat) that's involved in drawing through pipes.
But the best thing about it is that it's only 950W, so could be used most of the year if you have a full PV system. Kettles below 2200W are extremely rare, unless you count the overpriced plastic travel kettles that are available. I'm hoping this model has a stainless steel body; true to form (as far as Aldi descriptions are concerned), it only states that the lid is!
Also, it's not an awkward shape so would appear to lend itself to a bit of d-i-y insulation.
What do you think, fellow generators?

rogerblack

Well - yes - it's 950W.
But, 950W will be for a _considerably_ longer period than a 2200W kettle.
Clearly it will depend on your usage, but it would not surprise me to see that the above device will use approaching 100W to keep itself warm.



http://www.amazon.co.uk/tag/travel%20kettle/products has a lot of travel kettles, some with really good reviews.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-JK060-Discovery-Travel-Kettle/dp/B0000ZGZH2/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url for example.

One of these, with a small thermos would be much more economical.

EricMears

rogerblack wrote: »

it would not surprise me to see that the above device will use approaching 100W to keep itself warm.

That would more likely be the full 950w for around 10% of the time rather than a steady attenuated consumption.

But I imagine KS is starting from the position that he'd very often have 950w available and gratis.

Kernel_Sanders

rogerblack wrote: »

Well - yes - it's 950W.
But, 950W will be for a _considerably_ longer period than a 2200W kettle.

Did you think that I believed it would be more efficient simply because of its lower power consumption?! Actually I realize that the reverse is true, because the longer boiling time means greater radiation losses through the body of the vessel.
No, the reason the lower wattage is appealing to solar generators is that it massively increases the period in which the device can be used for free. As we approach the autumnal equinox, the window in which my system is capable of producing 2200 watts lasts perhaps seven hours but is dwindling by several minutes each day, whereas this device could still be used for free at teatime and late* breakfast (assuming the Sun is out!)

* due to SSW orientation.