adding immersion heater

[john]

I'm considering adding an immersion heater to my calorifier (make not known). There appears to be a blanked off immersion heater hole at the top of the tank. Am I right in thinking that a standard home immersion heater will do the job? If so, what Kw size would I need (it's a v.small tank) and how do I safely wire it up?

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[William_H]

You will need a heater with a thermostat unless you are willing to turn it on for a period then turn it off with disaster if you forget to turn it off. A larger power heater will heat more quickly and be able to cope with more water usage a smaller one may suffice if you don't use it much and don't want it too hot. A well insulated tank will help if if you have a smaller heater. I am assuming that you wish to run it from shore power. A one killowatt heater (small) will draw 4 amps from your power source and cable.
A 2KW obviously 8 amps. with this you are likely to need a heavy cord to the shore outlet if you are simply running a extension cord to a plug on the heater. Yes many will say this is dicey. The ideal set up is for a proper shore power switch board with RCD galvanic isolator etc. Just bear in mind that your emersion heater may overload the supply if you are running other electrics particularly microwave or heaters or cookers. So how serious do you want to get. Perhaps you need an elecrician to set it up properly.
Regards will

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[SlowlyButSurely]

To give you some idea: we have a 6 gallon calorifier with a 1Kw immersion heater. The thermostat is set to 70 degrees. It heats a tankful of water in about half an hour and that is enough for two people to have a shower (one after the other).

We used to have 3Kw heater but found that in some marinas, particularly in France and Spain, the supply couldn't cope and would trip out. This doesn't make you very popular with other boats on the same pontoon. Also, in some marinas you get a 3 amp supply free but have to pay for a bigger one.

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[TrueBlue]

By and large domestic immersion heaters come in one capacity - 3KW. These would overload most marina supplies.

Marine versions come in one capacity - as far as I can see - 1KW. These consume 4.5amps, and so are within the usual limit of 6 amps. However, the are very short and accordingly will only heat a relatively small amount of water near the top of the calorifier. In addition because they consume little energy they heat the water slowly as well. Mine's a waste of space, running the engine for a while heats more water, quicker.

'spose depends on what restrictions you have as to what you can use.

If you have a horizontal tank a small heater may heat more water - but will take longer.

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[jerryat]

Hi!

I fitted a 2 kw 'marine' version in my calorifier so know they are available with this output. Never had a problem with tripping marina supplies, but then very, very seldom use a marina! Got mine from Cruisermart about 6 years ago when they were about, but can't advise who does them now.

Good sailing!

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[boatone]

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[Strathglass]

You can get 'marine' calorifiers from ASAP

They are less current than the normal domestic ones.

As has been previously stated in some of your replies this allows you to use the immerser in marinas with dubious (restricted current) power sources.

My own immerser is rated at 1Kw, I would not (personally) fit a domestic 3Kw one.


Iain


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[andyball]

We have a 50l tank with a 1500W heater- + switch/resistors to reduce to 500W (or a bit less).

Unless in a hurry, 500W isactually quite useful & saves tripping due to heater cutting in while other appliances are on.

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