3kW Immersion Heater

[jimjim2991]

This is completely separate to my other thread.

I have an 11" 3kW titanium immersion heater that I use to heat a small tank of water. I've been using it for a long time. With the tank that I have I can heat up 10L of water to 70C. It works, but recently, I've heard popping noises and I've taken that as a sign to change my thermostat.

So, I got a new thermostat from CEF but it hasn't helped the water to reach 70C (only around 55C), so I returned the thermostat and they ordered me in a new one that apparently did not have some kind of temperature restriction on it (not sure what this means really?). I tried that and still I was only getting up to around 55C...

I can't think of a reason why I'm not achieving the same temperature with a different stat. Can anybody help me out with this? I just want a new stat that works like the old one!

 

[Pete999]

This is completely separate to my other thread.

I have an 11" 3kW titanium immersion heater that I use to heat a small tank of water. I've been using it for a long time. With the tank that I have I can heat up 10L of water to 70C. It works, but recently, I've heard popping noises and I've taken that as a sign to change my thermostat.

So, I got a new thermostat from CEF but it hasn't helped the water to reach 70C (only around 55C), so I returned the thermostat and they ordered me in a new one that apparently did not have some kind of temperature restriction on it (not sure what this means really?). I tried that and still I was only getting up to around 55C...

I can't think of a reason why I'm not achieving the same temperature with a different stat. Can anybody help me out with this? I just want a new stat that works like the old one!

Are the stats you have got adjustable?

 

[jimjim2991]

Are the stats you have got adjustable?

These are the stats I've got:

OLD: thermostat3 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/4dp6x1dm9/

NEW: thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/ thermostat2 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/wpaqu2xip/

 

[jimjim2991]

Are the stats you have got adjustable?

So yes!

 

[Pete999]

So yes!

So have you tried turning them up a tad?

 

[jimjim2991]

So have you tried turning them up a tad?

Yep, both on maximum.

 

[David M]

What makes you think the original thermostat is faulty, other than the popping sound?
When you say "popping" where is the noise coming from?

 

[Pete999]

Yep, both on maximum.

If the heater you have is not big enough then get a larger one!

 

[David M]

I've heard immersion elements "pop" kettles are common for it.

 

[jimjim2991]

If the heater you have is not big enough then get a larger one!

Could you explain a bit more how you arrived at this? I don't understand why the same heater will reach 70C with one thermostat but only 55C with another.

 

[jimjim2991]

What makes you think the original thermostat is faulty, other than the popping sound?
When you say "popping" where is the noise coming from?

The noise was coming from inside/around the heating element. Since changing the thermostat the same popping noise has stopped. It's hard to find a completely accurate word for the sound heard, but it was quite the rumble and pop, and it has not always been this way. I heard thermostats need replacing and as I'd used it for nearly 2 years thought I'd replace!

 

[Pete999]

Could you explain a bit more how you arrived at this? I don't understand why the same heater will reach 70C with one thermostat but only 55C with another.

May be the heater you have is "popping" it has been working to hard during it's lifetime, therefore the assumption being, its to small for the situation you have employed, working at maximum for to long, like anything else will eventually go U/S, ergo my statement get a larger heater, which will have some room for latitude and not work so hard, at least that's my take on this unusual use of an immersion heater, hope this goes some way to explaining my statement.

 

[telectrix]

time to test the element, methinks.

 

[jimjim2991]

time to test the element, methinks.

How can I test the element?

 

[telectrix]

first continuity.should read around 19 Ω. then IR test it.

 

[Pete999]

first continuity.should read around 19 Ω. then IR test it.

You're being silly now Tel

 

[jimjim2991]

May be the heater you have is "popping" it has been working to hard during it's lifetime, therefore the assumption being, its to small for the situation you have employed, working at maximum for to long, like anything else will eventually go U/S, ergo my statement get a larger heater, which will have some room for latitude and not work so hard, at least that's my take on this unusual use of an immersion heater, hope this goes some way to explaining my statement.

I agree with you it might be a good idea to buy a new heater, but don't you think it's curious that the popping went away when I changed the thermostat? And that one thermostat allows the heater to heat the water up to 70C, but the other does not?

In this situation I think it's pretty hard to tell whether it is the thermostat or the heater that is at fault.

Would you agree that testing the heater would be the best way of finding out?

 

[jimjim2991]

You're being silly now Tel

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant, but before I look into their reply more deeply, can you let me know what you think is silly about it?

 

[Pete999]

Sorry if I'm coming across as ignorant, but before I look into their reply more deeply, can you let me know what you think is silly about it?

That's quite alright Tel the OP is a DIY er so ever so doubtful that he has an insulation tester or a continuity tester or the technical where with all to carry out the tests you so rightly suggest he gets done, mind you I may be wrong the OP may be a technical wizard.

 

[telectrix]

i suppose it's a bit too much to ask of a neon screwdriver then?

 

[jimjim2991]

That's quite alright Tel the OP is a DIY er so ever so doubtful that he has an insulation tester or a continuity tester or the technical where with all to carry out the tests you so rightly suggest he gets done, mind you I may be wrong the OP may be a technical wizard.

I'm finding it hard to extract the useful help from these replies. I'm not sure what is joking around.

 

[Pete999]

i suppose it's a bit too much to ask of a neon screwdriver then?

The OP is described as a Scientist. so you never know, most Scientists I have met always have pens and the like stuffed into the top pocket of their Lab Coats. No disrespect OP just funing with you, hope you get your heating problems sorted.

 

[telectrix]

I'm finding it hard to extract the useful help from these replies. I'm not sure what is joking around.

you'll always get some banter on a forum. seriously though, if you think it's not the thermostat, then the element is an obvious suspect. maybe it's furred up with calcium chloride( from "hard" water) and needs a clean or replace.

 

[jimjim2991]

you'll always get some banter on a forum. seriously though, if you think it's not the thermostat, then the element is an obvious suspect. maybe it's furred up with calcium chloride( from "hard" water) and needs a clean or replace.

Yeah, I know! It's just that, as a complete newbie, it's hard to navigate the jungle of banter sometimes lol

The element looks in pretty good condition. It's still shiny and blue like it was when I first got it.

I actually use the tank to test different cleaning chemicals and they've helped to keep it in good condition.

 

[Pete999]

I think the advice given has been very helpful, as Tel says the element could be furred up, it's a logical step to replace the heater, advice would be to get a larger Wattage one to avoid over working, it's like having a boiler in your house that's not large enough for the job it would hardly ever switch off and eventually pack up out of exhaustion, hence my suggestion in the previous post, as for the joking around, it's a fun thing there is no malice in it or intended, you will find there are guys who will poo poo someone who is not an Electrician, and can become quite outspoken, most of the guys who have contributed to this post are in no way like that, an example of what I mean is Tel's reply to do an IR test, you may have got a response along the lines "he's a DIYer what does he know about insulation testing" but you didn't you got constructive advice.

 

[telectrix]

ok, a tip.....there's a few comedians on here. usually, you can tell by the content of the post, or by reading some earlier posts by the guilty few. here's a clue.

 

[Midwest]

Not sure if this has been mentioned OP, but you'll find most modern thermostats have a maximum setting of 60'c. That's to stop Nigella Lawson forming and Mrs Miggins being scolded in the bath. Here's your thermostat I believe;

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

Some thermostats are even pre-set at 60'c, i.e. not adjustable, to stop people messing around with them, and the above happening.

The popping noise, that sometimes common with air bubbles forming in the top of the tank from the heating element, dependant on its mounting position.

 

[jimjim2991]

Not sure if this has been mentioned OP, but you'll find most modern thermostats have a maximum setting of 60'c. That's to stop Nigella Lawson forming and Mrs Miggins being scolded in the bath. Here's your thermostat I believe;

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

Some thermostats are even pre-set at 60'c, i.e. not adjustable, to stop people messing around with them, and the above happening.

The popping noise, that sometimes common with air bubbles forming in the top of the tank from the heating element, dependant on its mounting position.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I discovered that the maximum setting was a thing, went back to CEF and asked for one with no maximum, and they said they could supply one with 80C max setting. As you can see it has 80C printed on the side; thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/

Unfortunately it still did not reach that temperature.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I discovered that the maximum setting was a thing, went back to CEF and asked for one with no maximum, and they said they could supply one with 80C max setting. As you can see it has 80C printed on the side; thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/

Unfortunately it still did not reach that temperature.

But it used to reach the required temp, change the heater

 

[jimjim2991]

But it used to reach the required temp, change the heater

It still reaches the required temperature with one of the thermostats.

 

[Pete999]

daptable boxes with din rail

It still reaches the required temperature with one of the thermostats.

Problem solved then

 

[Midwest]

Thanks for your reply. Yeah I discovered that the maximum setting was a thing, went back to CEF and asked for one with no maximum, and they said they could supply one with 80C max setting. As you can see it has 80C printed on the side; thermostat1 — Postimage.org - https://postimg.org/image/m16zv8njl/

Unfortunately it still did not reach that temperature.

Have a check of that, their web site suggests it's set to a max of 60'c, couldn't see anything else? Is the 80'c for the safety cut-out?

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

 

[jimjim2991]

daptable boxes with din rail

Problem solved then

Not really. As mentioned multiple times before, when the old thermostat is in although it reaches the required temperature, it makes a popping noise which really doesn't sound too good. So, change thermostat. Now the popping noise is gone, heater still 'works' but it does not reach the required temperature.

So clearly, the heater has the potential to reach the required temperature, but for some reason with one thermostat it makes it, but with another it does not.

 

[jimjim2991]

Have a check of that, their web site suggests it's set to a max of 60'c, couldn't see anything else? Is the 80'c for the safety cut-out?

RDT resettable thermostats - Easy Fit thermostats - https://www.heatraesadia.com/products/cylinders-and-hot-water/immersion-heaters-and-thermostats/thermostats.htm

I don't know. I went into CEF and said 'this thermostat doesn't heat the water up to the temperature I need it to', so they gave me this other thermostat that apparently would allow the water to go up to 80C. It doesn't.

 

[Pete999]

Post 30???????

 

[telectrix]

so why not stick with the thermostat that works OK?

 

[Pete999]

so why not stick with the thermostat that works OK?

Tel I need to leave this Red shyte alone, I confused.

 

[telectrix]

soz. pete. dunno where that link gotinto it. i bame that dr.altzeimer. we never used to have dementia till he came along spouting his theories.

 

[telectrix]

so. OP has a thermostat thap goes pop. obviously not genuine kellogs as it should go snap, crackle first.

 

[Pete999]

soz. pete. dunno where that link gotinto it. i bame that dr.altzeimer. we never used to have dementia till he came along spouting his theories.

I'm off to the cancer Docs tomoz for a check up, He's a Proff so should know his stuff, seriously a very nice Man.