ChronicHydronic
New Member
I plan to install a 48vdc 1000watt water heating element in an old Rheem 20gal water tank to use as a pre-heat buffer tank for an infloor hydronic system I put in this past winter. The infloor system has it's own electric boiler so I am just trying to preheat the water to save on electric bills....not run the whole system.
I have 2-300watt panels that will be roof mounted. It was recommended to me that I could put the panels in parrallel and run straight to the element without ; controller, batteries, etc. While this would be the cheapest method, I would prefer gaining the maximum utility of the panels especially in the summer when the closed loop heating system is not required.
The other option would be to run the system off controller/ 48v of batteries and have an 48v inverter that could ideally power a dehumidifer in the crawlspace.
I wonder if anyone has done something similar and has a gear list or wiring diagram that they can share?
There also is lots of online discussion about wiring directly into the onboard AC thermostat of the water heater. Some have suggested a capacitor (A grunty 6 microfarad non-polarised capacitor) across the contacts will drain off any arcing that may occur. Other folks have suggested 600 watts of solar power likely won't get the tank hot enough to worry about needing a thermostat. Likely a DC thermostat is best.
I also wonder if the inverter and water heating element can be wired to the batteries at the same time or if a switching unit would be required?
Thanking you in advance for gear suggestions.
I have 2-300watt panels that will be roof mounted. It was recommended to me that I could put the panels in parrallel and run straight to the element without ; controller, batteries, etc. While this would be the cheapest method, I would prefer gaining the maximum utility of the panels especially in the summer when the closed loop heating system is not required.
The other option would be to run the system off controller/ 48v of batteries and have an 48v inverter that could ideally power a dehumidifer in the crawlspace.
I wonder if anyone has done something similar and has a gear list or wiring diagram that they can share?
There also is lots of online discussion about wiring directly into the onboard AC thermostat of the water heater. Some have suggested a capacitor (A grunty 6 microfarad non-polarised capacitor) across the contacts will drain off any arcing that may occur. Other folks have suggested 600 watts of solar power likely won't get the tank hot enough to worry about needing a thermostat. Likely a DC thermostat is best.
I also wonder if the inverter and water heating element can be wired to the batteries at the same time or if a switching unit would be required?
Thanking you in advance for gear suggestions.