Geyser timer solution for solar

denmendez65 said:
There is no proof of that
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See below... I had the same 8 years ago, geyser was set to 70, pressure valve was spewing water. Put it to 60 and no problems, around 2021 set it 55.
 
Lupus said:
See below... I had the same 8 years ago, geyser was set to 70, pressure valve was spewing water. Put it to 60 and no problems, around 2021 set it 55.
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Is it an old geyser? The only time I see a bit of trickle is just after a shower or bath. I suspect that is from the geyser filling up and there is a little overflow. But its always dry any other time.
 
Lupus said:
See below... I had the same 8 years ago, geyser was set to 70, pressure valve was spewing water. Put it to 60 and no problems, around 2021 set it 55.
Click to expand...



denmendez65 said:
There is no proof of that
Click to expand...

Test it and see
I have a flat roof so can see what occurs plus i took water readings lost about 30-80L of water a day
 
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isie said:
Test it and see
I have a flat roof so cna see what occurs plus i took water readings lost about 30-80L of water a day
Click to expand...
It is at 70, has been for 1 year now. Was at 55 before and didnt help my case with trying to run off solar alone.

Being off-grid and not wanting to use any battery to heat the geyser, this has been working very well for me. I also have 4 panels dedicated for the geyser alone so I do waste solar generation as it is now since by 1 its hit 70 on most days. Winter approaching hasnt been affecting it much.

Doing 55 has zero benefit for my setup. If grid connected then yeah, not necessary to have it at 70, 50 could work even.

My geyser is "new" by the way, the previous owner had it done 2023.
 
isie said:
This @duderoo you kind of shot your self in the foot - because you switched it off it had to work harder when you switched it on - keeping freezers closed is more effective then switching it off and opening and closing the freezer doors.
With your panels being east / west you may need to change your times, as your curve will be different to us with North panels , you may need to shift that geyser switch on / off earlier - (or later but as you home later and probably use more in the evening I would say earlier) - but definitely look at its temp
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He’s got a solar geyser panel facing east to I say turn on geyser later, around 2pm after the panel has had half a day to warm the water.
 
Lupus said:
Yeah people will stubbornly stick to 70 degrees even when it's costing money. Plus technically the geyser doesn't like being that high all the time. That sacrifical anode doesn't like it that high. Plus the pressure release valve will work more. Essentially letting out warm water
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if you read my posts my geyser temp is barely getting to 45 degrees now after 1.5 hours
 
isie said:
This @duderoo you kind of shot your self in the foot - because you switched it off it had to work harder when you switched it on - keeping freezers closed is more effective then switching it off and opening and closing the freezer doors.
With your panels being east / west you may need to change your times, as your curve will be different to us with North panels , you may need to shift that geyser switch on / off earlier - (or later but as you home later and probably use more in the evening I would say earlier) - but definitely look at its temp
Click to expand...
I turned them off at the power so I can temporarily limit the load on the panels and moving that to assist with the geyser as I am on the cusp of generation and usage. When the geyser goes off the freezers go back on.
 
wingnut771 said:
He’s got a solar geyser panel facing east to I say turn on geyser later, around 2pm after the panel has had half a day to warm the water.
Click to expand...
as mentioned the solar panels contribute barely anything to heating the water as the temp is so cold
 
denmendez65 said:
It is at 70, has been for 1 year now. Was at 55 before and didnt help my case with trying to run off solar alone.

Being off-grid and not wanting to use any battery to heat the geyser, this has been working very well for me. I also have 4 panels dedicated for the geyser alone so I do waste solar generation as it is now since by 1 its hit 70 on most days. Winter approaching hasnt been affecting it much.

Doing 55 has zero benefit for my setup. If grid connected then yeah, not necessary to have it at 70, 50 could work even.

My geyser is "new" by the way, the previous owner had it done 2023.
Click to expand...
If you don't have to balance your PV vs grid then hotter is fine (lol we can sort of delude ourselves into paying off that solar faster :) ) but if you cant 100% cover everything geyser is where you can manage your load and get your usage closer to 0
wingnut771 said:
Maybe the thermostat is faulty or 70 is actually 90 or something?
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its an older geyser but thermostat is new could be something else
duderoo said:
if you read my posts my geyser temp is barely getting to 45 degrees now after 1.5 hours
Click to expand...
How many Liters and element KW?
 
isie said:
If you don't have to balance your PV vs grid then hotter is fine (lol we can sort of delude ourselves into paying off that solar faster :) ) but if you cant 100% cover everything geyser is where you can manage your load and get your usage closer to 0

its an older geyser but thermostat is new could be something else

How many Liters and element KW?
Click to expand...
I set mine to 50 but the water coming out the tap is 54 according to my meat thermometer.

@duderoo, I wonder if there is Thermosyphoning happening with the solar geyser?
 
isie said:
If you don't have to balance your PV vs grid then hotter is fine (lol we can sort of delude ourselves into paying off that solar faster :) ) but if you cant 100% cover everything geyser is where you can manage your load and get your usage closer to 0

its an older geyser but thermostat is new could be something else

How many Liters and element KW?
Click to expand...
200L and 2kW element
 
duderoo said:
200L and 2kW element
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That's not going to work on solar, you need 4 and a half hours for that to heat up from 20 degrees to 55 degrees. That's why you're in a constant losing battle.
For 200l of water you require 4kw element to get it done in 2 hours. Anything lower and you're just spinning your wheels in dirt.
Why do you have a 2kw element?
 
Lupus said:
That's not going to work on solar, you need 4 and a half hours for that to heat up from 20 degrees to 55 degrees. That's why you're in a constant losing battle.
For 200l of water you require 4kw element to get it done in 2 hours. Anything lower and you're just spinning your wheels in dirt.
Why do you have a 2kw element?
Click to expand...
4kW is heavy on an inverter though
 
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