immersion element switches off

[billi]

Hi

I have a 1500 watt AC heating element in my solar store , that kicks in when battery is full ( or in absorption charge )

It works for about 15 minutes and then stops , solar tank is at 60 °  , mostly it recovers in 15 minutes and works again , sometimes it needs hours to work again , even if i plug it in into another working socket (same as my computer ) it does that

Is there a temp sensor  in a heat element to stop it when its too hot ? What else could make it fail ?

Thanks Billi

[Alan]

Your heater is working off the A.C. side of your inverter. ?

Your heater should measure 35.4 Ohms. ( unplug it to make the measurement ) ( 230 volts divided by 6.5 amps = 35.4 Ohms ) when the thermostat is calling for heat.

Take the cover off the heater and set the temperature up a bit also check the connections to the heater and thermostat.

Thermostats designed for A.C. will burn out / catch fire if used on D.C. circuits.

Regards

Alan

[SteveH]

 Just a Saturday night thought billi (Hic!)....have you loked under the cover?... Is this a combined element & thermostat?

 Steve...

[billi]

Hic is right

Thanks  yes its on the AC site of the inverter , but on a separate circuit then the rest of the house

Its a AC one and is in my chinese solarwater heater the ones with the tank on top
There is no thermostat and i had it open and couldnot see anything to adjust

here is a picture of the element i found online

Billi

[SteveH]

OK my friend ... I will say good night...

[billi]

Alan i  get 34 Ohm

I think it has an inbuilt advice/sensor or is there a bi-metal ? Cause it works better in the morning when tank is at 40 °
Yesterday evening at 60° it wouldnot work at all

But i expected a bid more then 60 °   

Perhaps i open it again and have a look if there is an adjustable screw  or similar , but means draining the tank again

thanks Billi

[Alan]

Morning Billi

Hopefully there will be some thing to adjust inside.

On the photo graph is there an earth cable shown, ?

Regards

Alan

[billi]

I know  does not show an earth,  but mine has one i just opened it and there is nothing to adjust  ( i managed to screw the back of without taking it out of the tank)

[knighty]

how easy is it to get to ?

I'd guess it has an inbuilt thermostat of some kind...

can you test it with a meter when it's running ?

I'd guess that the positive wire on the right is connected to the thermostat.... and when the temperature is under 60'C it's open and puts power through to that nut on the right which is connected right to the heating element ?

your best bet would be to get a different heater, one with an adjustable element...

if you had a different thermostat I guess you could by-pass the built in one and use the other one... but it's a bit dangerous.... how big is the tank ?

I remember hearing about a thermostat that stuck open.... boiled the water in the tank... which heater up the header tank till it was red hot... which split open.... pouring red hot water through the ceiling and all over a baby... which lated died

(nasty stuff)

[billi]

thanks

Problem is that it has no threat to be screwed into the tank , its just a plug ( perhaps have to built my own then )

I am not too worried with overheating , cause my inverter shuts her off (when battery goes below 26 volt )

Billi