Can you power a water heater by using a split charge relay?

[whowondersfinds]

Hi guys,

My plan is to have a 100W solar panel charging two 12amp 110ah batteries in parallel, and was wondering, when fully charged, instead of 'wasting' energy from the sun, i could use a split charge relay, which would divert the charge from the batteries to a water heater.

I am very new to all this as was wondering whether this is even possible let alone safe. I can't seem to find anywhere that says its possible or otherwise.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[st3v3]

It would be possible, but you'd get the smallest amount of heat - hardly noticeable. A black tank on the roof would probably do better.

 

[Deleted member 951]

Have you considered a calorifier which would use the heat from the engine to supply hot water?

 

[harrow]

Hi guys,

My plan is to have a 100W solar panel charging two 12amp 110ah batteries in parallel, and was wondering, when fully charged, instead of 'wasting' energy from the sun, i could use a split charge relay, which would divert the charge from the batteries to a water heater.

I am very new to all this as was wondering whether this is even possible let alone safe. I can't seem to find anywhere that says its possible or otherwise.

Thanks,
Justin

Not really you need a lot of energy to heat hot water,

even with a 12 volt immersion heaters that you can use to heat a mug of water take a while.

Its well worth using any excess power to ensure the starter battery is kept topped up.

:hammer::hammer::hammer:

 

[IanH]

I think the poster was wanting to use "excess" power from his solar panel?

If so, it's a 100w panel and it'll only give 100w in perfect conditions, assume 50w and you'll be nearer to that.

50w is of no possible use to heat water, even a cupful, as someone else said.

Much better solution is to change your solar controller to a dual battery one (10A will be more than enough) and have not only your leisure batteries but your starter batter as well.

That's the system I have and it works well all year round. The starter battery is as important as the LB!

 

[maingate]

Yes, you can heat water using solar power.

Buy a couple of large plastic bottles of Pop from a Supermarket (you want the black or dark green bottles). After consuming the contents, fill them with water and put them on your Dashboard in the sunshine. This will work surprisingly well.

ps, if the original content is Orange Juice, you can pour it into your (empty) waste water tank and go for a short drive. It will get rid of bad smells in the tank.

 

[n brown]

i've grown up with all this and have had or tried most forms of water heating
nothing has proved as cheap ,quick,hassle free and economical as popping the kettle on

 

[Deleted member 951]

i've grown up with all this and have had or tried most forms of water heating
nothing has proved as cheap ,quick,hassle free and economical as popping the kettle on

Very true Nigel.

I've got a 7.5 litre Kelly campfire kettle. That and a builders muck bucket, with a small saucepan as a ladle served as a great shower in Scotland, (Before I had a motorhome!)