Cheap inline heater

[longboardpete]

After two weeks of frequent water changes in the Q/T i had to find an easier solution. I've been filling my 35 gallon bowl with fresh water and then having to boil kettles and pans then carry them through the garden into the garage to get the temp right so fresh water could go in. Until now, The inline heater is from a dishwasher and trade cost is only £21.00. The external wires were insulated with shrink tube and the whole thing was then wrapped in plastic waste pipe and sealed. Takes about 25 mins to heat 30 odd gallons of water to 23 degres then pump straight into Q/T. EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MikeH]

thats a very initive idea, I`m sure you already know but just be careful what elements and metals are inside some may cause problems for your fish. Great idea though!

[TicToc]

Necessity is the mother of invention! After two weeks Pete you need a medal to go with your webbed Koi hands. Good thinking and execution.

Assume its a type of kettle bi-metal strip element with posh thermostat?

[longboardpete]

The actual tube which is in contact with the water is made of stainless so no problems there, the stat is a thermal cut out but with enough water flow through the heater this will not activate, i run it on a spare aquamax 10000 which i have reduced the flow slightly as it was taking about an hour to heat the water due to too much flow. Now doing it in 25 mins

[TicToc]

As I have been reminded by many on several occasions, there's no such thing as a free lunch when using any electrical power

The reduction and efficiency of your time, kettle, pots and gas has to be a no brainer saving. Whats the burn rate amps wise of the dishwasher heater? Would it be worthwhile insulating (for heat loss purposes) everything though I guess you have done that already.

Tickers

[longboardpete]

The element is 2040Watts, so 2 units per hour to run, so takes 25 mins to heat, thats about 13p to heat full bowl. The kettle about 6 boils, 1 small, 1 medium and 2 large pans were boiled twice, taking about 40 mins to get the bowl to temp. So 40 mins of 4 hob elements, 1200w x2 and 2000w x 2 plus 6 boils of kettle at 3000w. If you alowed for cycling of limiters on hob top and say they ran continually for 3/4 the time thats a total load of 9.4 kw for 30 mins would cost you 58p a bowl.
As Q/T tank is still in it's early days i'm changing 20% every 2 days. The old way is was costing me £4.64 a week in electric , now it's only costing me £1.04 a week and saving me hours

[martyn james]

Hi

I hope the mains supply has a RCD on it just in case you have a problem dont want anybody getting electrocuted.

Martyn.

[longboardpete]

Consumer unit on house has RCD, also used with local one in socket as well. Earth impedance less than 1 ohm so should be safe, anyway i get the wife to plug it in

[martyn james]

Hi

good idea as long as she's well insured.

martyn