Water Heater Monitoring

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vtsteam:
Hey don't be embarrassed Sparky! I don't know what's going on. either. :)

sparky961:

--- Quote --- two 3800W elements that should be operating one after the other
--- End quote ---

This is how most water heaters operate. Only one element is on at a time.

--- Quote ---However I wonder if you actually need to measure current. Water heaters are generally either on or off controlled by a thermostat. Wouldn't it be adequate to measure how much time it's on?
--- End quote ---

Quite true, this would work. However I'd like to be able to measure the power from other things in the future as well. This is just where I've started out.

BillTodd:
if you want to make it more efficient, all you can really do is reduce heat loss with insulation.

There is no saving in letting the water cool then reheating, unless the water is left to cool to ambient for some while.

Bill

RussellT:

--- Quote from: BillTodd on January 06, 2015, 04:58:33 AM ---There is no saving in letting the water cool then reheating, unless the water is left to cool to ambient for some while.

--- End quote ---

I'm not so sure about that - if the water cools, then the heat loss will be reduced and because less heat has been lost the energy required to bring it back up to temperature will be less than would have been required to maintain the temperature.

--- Quote ---This is how most water heaters operate. Only one element is on at a time.
--- End quote ---

It isn't how they operate here. I still don't understand. :scratch: Is it something to do with not having a proper 240V supply? Do you have a circuit diagram?

Russell

awemawson:
Frequently there are thermostats fitted at different levels so you don't need to heat a whole tank, as the hot water rises and stays on top and is drawn from there. Perhaps this system is being confused with separate heaters?

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