Description

The activation device allows you to store energy from home generated PV electricity.

A pocket of hot water close to the immersion heater rapidly heats to above 60 degrees C indicating you have turned on the immersion heater in response to surplus home generated PV power.

Manufactured by Otter Controls, this simple device, inserted between the transformer and the heat storage device, activates the heat storage device.

The probe is protected with a red cover and measures air temperature close to the metal surface of the hot water cylinder. Remove a small piece of the tank insulation close to where the immersion heater is so that you expose the bare metal surface. Replace the insulation removed with loose insulation (eg glass wool or plastic foam). This stops hot air close to the probe escaping. The immersion heater heats the water, the hot water heats the metal skin of the hot water cylinder, the heat is transferred to the air close to the tank surface. When the temperature exceeds 60 degrees centigrade the energy device turns on and brings cooler water to the top of the hot water cylinder.

This ensures that the device only brings cooler water to the top when you have sufficient solar pv and it maintains the temperature at the top of the tank to above 55 degrees centigrade.

The following sequence is achieved

Your solar PV triggers the immersion heater.
The immersion heater heats the water.
The probe detects hot water above 60 degrees centigrade.
The device activates and brings cooler water to the top of the hot water cylinder.
The cooler water reduces the water temperature triggering the immersion heater to turn on.

You also have a 24 hour timer so you can store cheap rate night energy.