Solar switch

[Barmyfarmer]

Just wondering if it's possible to make use of any excess solar energy to heat the hot water for the dairy in the daytime, could do with it kicking the element in when we are producing enough power rather than it going in the grid. The boiler is about 100 metres away from the meter.

 

[steveR]

Just wondering if it's possible to make use of any excess solar energy to heat the hot water for the dairy in the daytime, could do with it kicking the element in when we are producing enough power rather than it going in the grid. The boiler is about 100 metres away from the meter.

Plenty of devices like the Immersun that will do this.

https://www.immersun.co.uk/

I imagine the choice will be down to a unit that meets your consumption requirements. What wattage is the immersion heater in the dairy?

 

[Will0]

AC Thor 9S does our 3 phase. 3kw/phase for a total of 9kw max.

 

[Barmyfarmer]

Plenty of devices like the Immersun that will do this.

https://www.immersun.co.uk/

I imagine the choice will be down to a unit that meets your consumption requirements. What wattage is the immersion heater in the dairy?

And that could work so far away from the meter?
6kw I think

 

[steveR]

And that could work so far away from the meter?
6kw I think

No idea, there will be some losses over that sort of distance I'd imagine, but a call to Immersun or similar diverter producer.

 

[renewablejohn]

And that could work so far away from the meter?
6kw I think

Distance should not be a problem just means a thicker cable which just costs more per meter. The equipment supplier will be able to do the calculations and recommend the right size of cable to use.

 

[Exfarmer]

Surely the boiler is already connected up just needs thee switching installed

 

[Barmyfarmer]

Surely the boiler is already connected up just needs thee switching installed

Correct but I'm guessing the distance from where the power is exported to where my boiler is is to far away, and it's across a yard so not really viable putting a cable in just for the solar switch

 

[Exfarmer]

Correct but I'm guessing the distance from where the power is exported to where my boiler is is to far away, and it's across a yard so not really viable putting a cable in just for the solar switch

No your power will not be exported if the boiler is using it. just need to get a signal for the switch.
It is of course a bit more complex than that as you only want to use what would other wise be exported, otherwise you may find yourself importing to heat water for no reason. So you need a controller feeding power into the immersion.
It is of course more complex with 3 phase as you can be exporting on one and importing on another phase

 

[steveR]

No your power will not be exported if the boiler is using it. just need to get a signal for the switch.
It is of course a bit more complex than that as you only want to use what would other wise be exported, otherwise you may find yourself importing to heat water for no reason. So you need a controller feeding power into the immersion.
It is of course more complex with 3 phase as you can be exporting on one and importing on another phase

And the signalling can be done over wifi. But will all depend on actual setup.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

No your power will not be exported if the boiler is using it. just need to get a signal for the switch.
It is of course a bit more complex than that as you only want to use what would other wise be exported, otherwise you may find yourself importing to heat water for no reason. So you need a controller feeding power into the immersion.
It is of course more complex with 3 phase as you can be exporting on one and importing on another phase

Is there anything out there yet for 3ph diverters?

I keep looking but everything is single phase only.

 

[Exfarmer]

Is there anything out there yet for 3ph diverters?

I keep looking but everything is single phase only.

Sorry, thought their was, but i am not the person to ask

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Sorry, thought their was, but i am not the person to ask

Do you know a person to ask!?

 

[Exfarmer]

Do you know a person to ask!?

I will ask questions, but my main man is so up to his waist in it at the moment I am struggling to get him to answer the phone

 

[britt]

Just have the immersion heater on a timer, on at 9, off at 5. That's what I've done with my freezers (plus on for half hour at midnight).

 

[owen r]

We had an immerson connect, we had 3 X 3kw on 1 boiler each one was on a different phase, immerson was on 1 immersion and the same cable before meter box. Worked well on old boiler. Been in 9years. Boiler was near meter box.

 

[Stuart_M]

Is there anything out there yet for 3ph diverters?

I keep looking but everything is single phase

Fronius do one that does 3 x 3kw. Not the cheapest at about £600 plus you need one of their export meters. I'm waiting to see how much I end up exporting before deciding if it is worth fitting one.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Fronius do one that does 3 x 3kw. Not the cheapest at about £600 plus you need one of their export meters. I'm waiting to see how much I end up exporting before deciding if it is worth fitting one.

I’m looking at 36kw.

Those work off resistance, what I’m after uses ct’s and a data cable to throw the switch

 

[Stuart_M]

Thats a fair size and well above anything I've seen off the shelf. Sounds like an interesting project.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Thats a fair size and well above anything I've seen off the shelf. Sounds like an interesting project.

its a fair size, nothing interesting.

i cant understand why they aren't out there yet, bound to be EV's needing a charge where 3 ph is available. talking to someone who has one in testing but nowt yet.