Immersion Heater

Wizard_of_Id

My hot water system has just given up the ghost after many years service and as much as I would like to repair it, I just can't get the parts that I need and a new unit of a similar type will not fit into the space available.

I am now considering fitting an immersion heating element to my existing hot water cylinder and I was wondering if this was practical or not.

I could do the work myself as it really only involves drilling a hole to take the element then sealing it after fitting and plug it into the mains using a timer switch.

I am looking for someone that has done similar to point out any pitfalls that I might encounter or even to say that I shouldn't bother as it is not a practical option.

Thanks.

George_Michael

The tank itself will be probably be made of fairly thin copper and as it wasn't designed for an immersion heater to be fitted, there won't be a reinforced area on the top for this purpose.
How would you fix the element in place without being to get inside the tank to fit nuts on the mounting screws?

I'm not too bad at DIY and I've done a lot of sheet metal work in the past but due to the possible damage if it failed at some time in the future, it's not something that I would consider doing.

Gloomendoom

Have you looked at a hot water cylinder with an immersion heater fitted? Doing so might give you some idea of the work involved.

If I was going to do it, I would buy an old cylinder, remove the immersion heater boss, then solder it in to the existing tank.

Actually, I wouldn't bother, because the chance of finding an old cylinder where the immersion heater element isn't seized solid in the thread is slim.

victor2

AFAIK, immersion heaters also have a dedicated circuit from the distribution panel, so you have to consider how you would power it if just plugging it into the nearest mains socket is not an option.

southcoastrgi

Please let us know how you get on with drilling a hole & sealing it

konark

Does your cylinder have a large threaded hole (blanked off) for an immersion heater, I find it difficult to believe cylinders were made without this provision.

If it doesn't there's no way you can make one.

Wizard_of_Id

Thanks for the feedback, even the doubting thomas ones.

Never underestimate the skills of a toolmaker

tonyh66

Wizard_of_Id wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, even the doubting thomas ones.

Never underestimate the skills of a toolmaker

seriously just buy a cylinder with an immersion alraedy fitted, its easier and quicker and much safer. Also don't ignore the advice about the power supply for the immersion unless you want to burn your house down.

DaftyDuck

Wizard_of_Id wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, even the doubting thomas ones.

Never underestimate the skills of a toolmaker

I rule I "live" by is "never overestimate my own skills, or underestimate my ability to create disaster"...

Mind you, I am a tool, rather than a toolmaker....

macman

An immersion heater requires hardwiring to a dedicated circuit. If this circuit does not already exist, then such work is notifiable.
You can't just plug it into a ring main socket, which is what you appear to be suggesting.