Solar Immersion - my experience !

[danesol]

I agree, purchased mark II last year and never worked, the support is non-existent , they just ignore any message sent to them. Poor customer service.
i would not buy anything else from them, cannot be trusted.

Well quiet a few of us have purchased the MKIII units from them recently and no real reported issues as such ??

 

[hophead]

Their customer services is very poorly organised for a "new" company. Eats a lot of my time. I'm awaiting a replacement MkIII which just stopped heating water.

 

[Mulgrave]

Thanks dansol for your comments, however, the mark II never worked for me and their support was inexistent. They have just introduced ticket system for the mark iiii and they ditched any support for mark II. They will probably do the same in the future for mark iii.

Regards

 

[danesol]

Update:- Just had June's gas & electric bill

We have more or less turned the gas boiler completely off now and it only comes on for HW when Solar has been poor for the odd day and only preheats the HWC, other than that, gas is only used for the gas hob for cooking and boiling the kettle which this month came to a grand total of;

6units = 189kwhrs @ 3.45p plus SC ( 30days at 22p ) = £ 13.12

So all in all, the benefit, a good though small saving in monetary terms ( -£8.00 p/mth ) but mostly down I think to the installation of the Solar Immersion unit. Last year, EDF state we used 410kwh of GAS, and the gas was used for same purpose plus HW heating last year - no central heating on.

 

[danesol]

So all in all, after only a few mths of using one of these units I would strongly suggest that you would be foolish NOT to fit one of these devices with a good renewable energy system ( not just PV ) , especially if no-one is at home using the electric during the day, it doesnt have to be a Solar Immersion unit as you have plenty of selection now at different price levels, but I can say the Solar Immersion has worked for me so far !

 

[bugsyuk]

I must admit i will not be purchasing any more of these solarimmersion controllers. We have brought only 2 of these from this company for installs and while there is nothing wrong with the product there customer service is non existant. I have emailed them 4 times in 2 weeks and tried to ring customer services for an hour the other day to only keep getting cut off. It seems to me they are a one man band.

 

[danesol]

I must admit i will not be purchasing any more of these solarimmersion controllers. We have brought only 2 of these from this company for installs and while there is nothing wrong with the product there customer service is non existant. I have emailed them 4 times in 2 weeks and tried to ring customer services for an hour the other day to only keep getting cut off. It seems to me they are a one man band.

I've never had an issue getting hold of them ??

However, you could call or chat online now as they are definitely ONLINE now - SolarImmersion - Surplus Solar Energy Water Heater |

 

[thushar]

SolarImmersion (http://solarimmersion.co.uk) is having a special offer now - Price is only £199 (was £249) !! may be the best time to buy it http://solarimmersion.co.uk

 

[solar warrrior]

If you want good customer service and a very reliable unit I hear the Intellgent Immersion is good. In 2 years none have ever failed they say.

 

[danesol]

Update:- July's utility bill is in and I'm impressed !!!

Electric used ( imported) in July - 284kwh

Gas used in July - 94kwh

So against last year same period, that's a fall from 420kwh & 283kwh respectfully for both.............. in monetary terms its not a great deal ( a saving of £ 10.92 for elec and £ 5.52 for gas ) but as Asda say - every little bit helps.........

I can only put this down to better weather this year and the use of the Solar Immersion !!

 

[danesol]

Also funny enough - my PVo accounts states for July;

Total Generated:- 434.790kwh

Total Consumption:- 698.865kwh

Total Exported:- 76.082kwh

Total imported:- 340.300kwh

(*Charged by Utility co for July's reading:- 284kwh)

Export % :- 17.50

Import % :- 48.69

So as I thought, my Envir monitoring isnt correct, which is no surprise, but good enough and I am definitely exporting closer to ZERO as I first thought ( well to be exact'ish.... ~20 kwh which is 4% ) !!!!

:hurray:

 

[Gavin A]

698.865 - 439.790 = 259.075

259.075 + 76.082 = 335.157kWh

so the calculated figure for import requirements would be 335.157kWh, which is within a pretty good tolerance of the actual measured figure of 340.3kWh

depending which model you have you can improve the accuracy by adjusting the voltage setting (if you're using clamps), though it will never be 100% accurate as the voltage will vary and it can't monitor the voltage in the same way an immersion can because it operates through a transformer at something like 17V, so can't actually see the grid voltage.

 

[danesol]

698.865 - 439.790 = 259.075

259.075 + 76.082 = 335.157kWh

so the calculated figure for import requirements would be 335.157kWh, which is within a pretty good tolerance of the actual measured figure of 340.3kWh

depending which model you have you can improve the accuracy by adjusting the voltage setting (if you're using clamps), though it will never be 100% accurate as the voltage will vary and it can't monitor the voltage in the same way an immersion can because it operates through a transformer at something like 17V, so can't actually see the grid voltage.

Well Yes and NO - as per previous post I was charged for 31days electric import - 284kwh so the Envir device is over measuring but I knew that was happening due to the "anomaly" with the two clamps i'm using around the Henley block to get the true total useage around generation time.

 

[Gavin A]

Well Yes and NO - as per previous post I was charged for 31days electric import - 284kwh so the Envir device is over measuring but I knew that was happening due to the "anomaly" with the two clamps i'm using around the Henley block to get the true total useage around generation time.

was the reading on your actual import meter 284kWh, or 340kWh?

 

[danesol]

284 is the DNO meter reading for the whole mth

340 is what PVo states which is the calculation of the Envir metering system

 

[Gavin A]

284 is the DNO meter reading for the whole mth

340 is what PVo states which is the calculation of the Envir metering system

I don't understand how you're trying to get the ENVIR to measure import and export as it has no function to know which direction the electricity is flowing.

What I suspect you've actually got is the combined reading of import + export = 340kWh.

If you then take the actual suppliers meter reading for imports away from that total it will leave you with the calculated level of exports.

ie 340kWh - 284kWh = 56kWh exports.

Unless you actually have an export meter fitted as well?

 

[danesol]

I don't understand how you're trying to get the ENVIR to measure import and export as it has no function to know which direction the electricity is flowing.

Technically it doesnt need to as its measuring the consumption after the Henley Block, but before the CU so only one direction in use !?

What I suspect you've actually got is the combined reading of import + export = 340kWh.

If you then take the actual suppliers meter reading for imports away from that total it will leave you with the calculated level of exports.

ie 340kWh - 284kWh = 56kWh exports.

Unless you actually have an export meter fitted as well?

The Envir monitor is ONLY there every 5mins to measure true and overall useage within the premises and also takes a reading of generation from the SMA Inverter via Bluetooth - PVo does the rest ?

The figures are out due I've been told to how some immersion proportional devices work ie. wave forms effecting primitive CT clamps - I'm currently awaiting a quick fix for this ATM

 

[snowie]

Hi, I'm not an electrician, but have been following this thread after searching for problems with Solarimmersion. Original problems with delivery, i.e. told it had been delivered, but 2 weeks later had not received it. Paid with MasterCard, so after initial delivery problems, used this to try to get money back. Unit arrived just before MasterCard contacted Solarimmersion, so proceeded with installation. Installed by electrician who recommended it, and had installed in his own home. Worked for 2 days, then stopped diverting to immersion heater, so obviously no hot water. Also, all the buttons would not work, so could not do factory reset, use override, or use any of the functions except set time. Contacted Solarimmersion and asked to return the unit. That was almost 3 weeks ago, and have tried to find out what is happening to it. Customer services are appalling, passed from one person to another, and never receive call-back if no one available. Still have option to get money back via MasterCard. Cost of installation was £80. Cost to uninstall it was £50. Cost of p&p was £20. Cost to reinstall it will be £50-£80, which will eat into payback time. So in light of those on here who have problems with the supplier, and of those who have got one installed and it is working well, is it worth continuing, or should I cut my losses and get unit costs back via MasterCard? Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bugsyuk]

I for one will never use them again. I ordered one for installation only to be told 3 days later they had none in stock, by that time I had already paid for it by card and was needed for a pv install which in the end cost more money as the electrician had to go back to install it. Non existant customer service and no one ever answers the phone. Plus I emailed them to say we moved offices so could they change the details on the website and still no one has so in my opinion absolute shoddy company and will never deal with them again.

 

[danesol]

Hi, I'm not an electrician, but have been following this thread after searching for problems with Solarimmersion. Original problems with delivery, i.e. told it had been delivered, but 2 weeks later had not received it. Paid with MasterCard, so after initial delivery problems, used this to try to get money back. Unit arrived just before MasterCard contacted Solarimmersion, so proceeded with installation. Installed by electrician who recommended it, and had installed in his own home. Worked for 2 days, then stopped diverting to immersion heater, so obviously no hot water. Also, all the buttons would not work, so could not do factory reset, use override, or use any of the functions except set time. Contacted Solarimmersion and asked to return the unit. That was almost 3 weeks ago, and have tried to find out what is happening to it. Customer services are appalling, passed from one person to another, and never receive call-back if no one available. Still have option to get money back via MasterCard. Cost of installation was £80. Cost to uninstall it was £50. Cost of p&p was £20. Cost to reinstall it will be £50-£80, which will eat into payback time. So in light of those on here who have problems with the supplier, and of those who have got one installed and it is working well, is it worth continuing, or should I cut my losses and get unit costs back via MasterCard? Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.

I suppose this is the disadvantage of not been an electrician yourself or have friend who is and would install it for you, as using an installer or electrician who is responsible for the while solution - this would become their problem and not yours!

Hope you get sorted as ive never had an issue getting hold of them although they are not always online

All i can say its does the job and i havent had any issues whatsover and so glad I purchased one as it saving us a small fortune !!

Perhaps you need to use the chargeback facility or consider the long distance regulations - should you still get no where with redress ??

 

[snowie]

Update on SolarImmersion energy manager. It is now 2 months since I ordered this device, and it has only worked for 2 days. After numerous phone calls and emails, most of which were ignored, they finally sent back the unit. No word of what was wrong with it, wither this is a new replacement, or a repair job. Just about to call the electrician to have it re-installed, when I thought I would open it up and have a look inside. Originally the CT clip was packed inside the unit, and when I sent it back, I placed it, with some trouble, inside also. Unbelievably, they returned it to me without the CT clip. To say I was fuming would be a gross understatement. Called them, and they claimed I did not sent it back to them, which is wrong. Eventually, after further phone calls, they have agreed to send one to me. I cannot believe how awful this company is, and would never recommend anyone ever buying from them.

 

[solman]

Over the last couple of months especially I've noticed a large increase in popularity of immersion controllers. Web traffic seems to have experienced a strong increase from home owners looking to install.
It's a shame there's been problems, especially considering there is a strong consumer demand.

 

[Sunstroker]

I recently had two SolarImmersion units installed, one in my own house and one in my son’s. Both houses have 3.7kWp PV systems and I have two 3kW immersions while my son has one.


We are very happy with the performance of the SolarImmersions. Even on a relatively dull day, when total PV generation struggles to break 6kWh they divert enough surplus to the immersion heaters to give us an ample supply of hot water. So, it appears, they are doing exactly what it says on the tin.


One thing puzzles me. When the hot water cylinder is up to the immersion limit and the stat has turned it off, the neon indicator on its switch remains lit even when the PV is off, either at night or because it’s been switched off manually. As soon as some hot water is run off and the immersion starts demanding again the neon goes out and doesn’t come back on until the SolarImmersion starts diverting PV power again.
It appears there is some residual current in the system which keeps the neon lit until the immersion switches on again. Could there be some capacitance in the SolarImmersion? As far as I can tell it’s not coming from the mains, although I will admit this hasn’t been proven.


I have run this question past the manufacturer using their ticket system but reply there is none. As others have noted, customer relations and technical support are not their strong point. But hey, the units do work, so we’re happy.


But I would like to know why these neons are lit, Any theories?

 

[danesol]

I recently had two SolarImmersion units installed, one in my own house and one in my son’s. Both houses have 3.7kWp PV systems and I have two 3kW immersions while my son has one.


We are very happy with the performance of the SolarImmersions. Even on a relatively dull day, when total PV generation struggles to break 6kWh they divert enough surplus to the immersion heaters to give us an ample supply of hot water. So, it appears, they are doing exactly what it says on the tin.


One thing puzzles me. When the hot water cylinder is up to the immersion limit and the stat has turned it off, the neon indicator on its switch remains lit even when the PV is off, either at night or because it’s been switched off manually. As soon as some hot water is run off and the immersion starts demanding again the neon goes out and doesn’t come back on until the SolarImmersion starts diverting PV power again.
It appears there is some residual current in the system which keeps the neon lit until the immersion switches on again. Could there be some capacitance in the SolarImmersion? As far as I can tell it’s not coming from the mains, although I will admit this hasn’t been proven.


I have run this question past the manufacturer using their ticket system but reply there is none. As others have noted, customer relations and technical support are not their strong point. But hey, the units do work, so we’re happy.


But I would like to know why these neons are lit, Any theories?

Have you wired in at the CU or local to the immersion heater using the existing spur in your airing cupboard ??

 

[Sunstroker]

I'm not the sparky, but everything is wired at the CU, not from the spur(s). I take it your system doesn't light the neons as both of ours do?
As a further aside, last night I had the woodburner on, it's tied into my central heating via a neutraliser, so the hot water was hot, hot, hot, well beyond the immersion limit. And the neon came on, so it doesn't just happen when the water is heated by the PV surplus. Curious!

 

[danesol]

I'm not the sparky, but everything is wired at the CU, not from the spur(s). I take it your system doesn't light the neons as both of ours do?
As a further aside, last night I had the woodburner on, it's tied into my central heating via a neutraliser, so the hot water was hot, hot, hot, well beyond the immersion limit. And the neon came on, so it doesn't just happen when the water is heated by the PV surplus. Curious!

The difference is that if fitted locally in the airing cupboard using the existing spur - the spur will have a constant 240ac supply, the neon stays constantly 24/7 bright RED. This spur then acts as the units constant live and the output live connected to the immersion heater is under proportional control via the unit

What you have is a direct connect at the CU with the SI unit, with the SI unit feeding the "proportional LIVE feed" to the airing cupboard spur with a red neon, who's intensity will glow depending on its supply

IMO, you would need to findout if your existing thermostat on the immersion heater itself, actually works before looking elsewhere....

 

[danesol]

Blimey, i've just noticed these units are now £199 !!!

""LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER - Grab SolarImmersion for just £199 (was £249)"" as of 31 Aug 2013

Then use the discount code - dis2204 for a further discount - bargain !​

 

[Sunstroker]

Yes, the £199 offer was the trigger to buy two!

Re the neon puzzle, I'm as certain as can be that all three of our immersion stats are working properly. The neon intensity certainly varies according to the feed from the SI during daytime with the PV switched on, and both installations are performing according to specification, supplying piping hot water, in my own case to two HW cylinders with the changeover from Heater 1 to Heater 2 running smoothly and rather impressively. These SI units work and we're very happy with them!

But at night, (or in daytime with PV switched off for test purposes) the neon on the immersion switch glows at full intensity when the water temperature is at or in excess of the stat temperature. This is happening on both our installations. Running off hot water to drop the cylinder temp below the stat setting immediately extinguishes the neon, which then stays off until the PV feed via The SI kicks in again in the morning.

To be honest, I'm more curious than concerned. If all that's happening is a feed to the neon overnight I don't think it's going to break the bank, but I would like an explanation, simple enough for a mere layman to understand, of why this should be happening!

 

[danesol]

Yes, the £199 offer was the trigger to buy two!

Re the neon puzzle, I'm as certain as can be that all three of our immersion stats are working properly. The neon intensity certainly varies according to the feed from the SI during daytime with the PV switched on, and both installations are performing according to specification, supplying piping hot water, in my own case to two HW cylinders with the changeover from Heater 1 to Heater 2 running smoothly and rather impressively. These SI units work and we're very happy with them!

But at night, (or in daytime with PV switched off for test purposes) the neon on the immersion switch glows at full intensity when the water temperature is at or in excess of the stat temperature. This is happening on both our installations. Running off hot water to drop the cylinder temp below the stat setting immediately extinguishes the neon, which then stays off until the PV feed via The SI kicks in again in the morning.

To be honest, I'm more curious than concerned. If all that's happening is a feed to the neon overnight I don't think it's going to break the bank, but I would like an explanation, simple enough for a mere layman to understand, of why this should be happening!

Just to confirm - when you state "stats", you are referring to the inbuilt stat of the "immersion element" and NOT the possible additional cylinder stat used for any other heat sources such a GCH boiler ???

 

[Sunstroker]

Yes, I do mean the immersion element stat, they're the only ones that I have on my cylinders.

 

[danesol]

Yes, the £199 offer was the trigger to buy two!

Re the neon puzzle, I'm as certain as can be that all three of our immersion stats are working properly. The neon intensity certainly varies according to the feed from the SI during daytime with the PV switched on, and both installations are performing according to specification, supplying piping hot water, in my own case to two HW cylinders with the changeover from Heater 1 to Heater 2 running smoothly and rather impressively. These SI units work and we're very happy with them!

But at night, (or in daytime with PV switched off for test purposes) the neon on the immersion switch glows at full intensity when the water temperature is at or in excess of the stat temperature. This is happening on both our installations. Running off hot water to drop the cylinder temp below the stat setting immediately extinguishes the neon, which then stays off until the PV feed via The SI kicks in again in the morning.

To be honest, I'm more curious than concerned. If all that's happening is a feed to the neon overnight I don't think it's going to break the bank, but I would like an explanation, simple enough for a mere layman to understand, of why this should be happening!

Can I also assume you have wired exactly how I believe its stated in the installation manual for two SI units to be joined together ?

You also mention three immersion stats but only 2 cylinders or should I say heater 1 and heater 2 - so where's the third stat ??

I assume you did the very basic test for correct direction of CT Clamp, possibly using only one immersion heater for initial setup just in case two jopined together alter the findings or result ??

 

[Sunstroker]

Now hold on there! Who mentioned two SI units joined together? I thought my initial post made clear we are dealing with two separate installations in two different properties.
My own house has two HW cylinders, each with a 3kW immersion, My son has one cylinder and one 3kW immersion. Both properties have 3.7 kWp PV systems, and both have central heating systems powered by a combination of woodburners and either LPG or oil-fired boilers. All of which is irrelevant to my initial query re the immersion switch neons, apart from the fact that we both have the ability to heat the water in our HW cylinders up to a temperature in excess of the setting on the immersion thermostat.

I find it difficult to believe that our two SolarImmersion installations are the only ones exhibiting the neon-lighting peculiarities which I have described. The fact that they both do it suggests to me that this must be a feature common to all installations. Has nobody else noticed it?

Of course, the obvious people to answer my query should be the manufacturers, but they remain totally unresponsive.

Unlike their SI units, which thankfully continue to perform immaculately!

 

[Worcester]

If the neons are light they MUST be receiving power from some source. Do the SolarImmersion units have a boost / override timer function? If so has this been set?

 

[Sunstroker]

I agree, we have not achieved the holy grail of spontaneous generation so the power to light the neons must come from somewhere. Presumably from the mains via the SolarImmersion unit, since that is now the only connection which exists.

The SI units do have a manual boost function, they also have an Economy 7 setting, and my first thought when I noticed the lit neons was that one or other of these had been enabled, but they are definitely both set to off. It appears that only the neon is lit, the immersion is not consuming any power, indeed how could it when its thermostat has cut out? And, as previously stated, as soon the water cools and there is demand from the immersion the neon goes off and stays off until the SI starts to supply PV surplus power next morning.

 

[danesol]

If the neons are light they MUST be receiving power from some source. Do the SolarImmersion units have a boost / override timer function? If so has this been set?

They do and thats a possible too - good thinking.... although I would expect bright neon on activation of overide ??

 

[danesol]

Now hold on there! Who mentioned two SI units joined together? I thought my initial post made clear we are dealing with two separate installations in two different properties.
My own house has two HW cylinders, each with a 3kW immersion, My son has one cylinder and one 3kW immersion. Both properties have 3.7 kWp PV systems, and both have central heating systems powered by a combination of woodburners and either LPG or oil-fired boilers. All of which is irrelevant to my initial query re the immersion switch neons, apart from the fact that we both have the ability to heat the water in our HW cylinders up to a temperature in excess of the setting on the immersion thermostat.

I find it difficult to believe that our two SolarImmersion installations are the only ones exhibiting the neon-lighting peculiarities which I have described. The fact that they both do it suggests to me that this must be a feature common to all installations. Has nobody else noticed it?

Of course, the obvious people to answer my query should be the manufacturers, but they remain totally unresponsive.

Unlike their SI units, which thankfully continue to perform immaculately!

LOL

Anyway - I cant notice this on my installation as mine is wired directly from the existing spur and given that both your units operate correctly and efficiently I can only assume its down to how the units sensor the mains using their own wave form technology, if it is I doubt you will get the company to reveal this ...... ??

I do however notice occasional spikes during the night but as the monitoring device wont work properly now since SI fitment I have not investigated this further as the unit appears to be working fine and my bills dynamically reduced the last few mths, especially GAS

But I agree - if part of how the device works, it would be interesting to know why.......

 

[Sunstroker]

Breaking news!


Yesterday I was curious regarding an unexpectedly lit neon. Today I see no neon lights at all. The SI unit has failed! The LCD still indicates power diversion to Heater 1 or Heater 2 but the immersion switch neons remain unlit, and the water cold.


I have contacted the manufacturers who confirm that the unit has definitely failed, and no on-site repair is possible. So the SI unit has been removed and will be despatched tomorrow. They say that it will be replaced by an updated unit, so it would seem that development is still ongoing.


Watch this space!

 

[Mulgrave]

Hi
contacted solarimmersion few months ago because my mark ii was not working.Never managed to get hold of the concerned staff, online chat help told me , he has no experience with mark II, the one knowing abt mark II was travelling to china to order units ( supposed to be made in the UK) they never reply to messages. I just gave up with them, lost over 300 pounds for mark II + power reducer+ all tel calls.

 

[danesol]

Hi
contacted solarimmersion few months ago because my mark ii was not working.Never managed to get hold of the concerned staff, online chat help told me , he has no experience with mark II, the one knowing abt mark II was travelling to china to order units ( supposed to be made in the UK) they never reply to messages. I just gave up with them, lost over 300 pounds for mark II + power reducer+ all tel calls.

To be blunt, I wont lose £300 for no-one, you used your well earned and probably already "taxed" money on a product which you have issue with, why would you give up chasing this so easily ??

 

[Mulgrave]

To be blunt, I wont lose £300 for no-one, you used your well earned and probably already "taxed" money on a product which you have issue with, why would you give up chasing this so easily ??

Hi

i gave us using their product but I am still chasing them for a refund. I contacted them for a refund but they have not replied. I contacted their main office , sent many emails but still no replies.
Tushar is always travelling and never answers his phone.

thanks.

 

[danesol]

Hi

i gave us using their product but I am still chasing them for a refund. I contacted them for a refund but they have not replied. I contacted their main office , sent many emails but still no replies.
Tushar is always travelling and never answers his phone.

thanks.

Well two on this thread seem to have had issues resolved by email/voice contact already, so I would keep trying if I was you.....

 

[danesol]

OK UPDATE, the GAS boiler is now back on due to the recent weather... so that's a definite 6mths of using NO gas at all to heat the HWC, saving 1,346kwhs of GAS equal to ~ £ 46 saving


I have a way of measuring the divert now, so should know exactly what the SI diverts from the Solar panels over the Autumn and Winter mths, which will give me the full extent of what actually is been saved.

 

[Worcester]

Isn't the daily / monthly/ yearly savings one of the display functions on the SI then?

 

[danesol]

Isn't the daily / monthly/ yearly savings one of the display functions on the SI then?

LOL, sadly NOT so if you want info' to substantiate your purchase or backup the pub-talk .... your out of luck !

I should imagine - extensive reporting will be part of the MK IV ?

As they say you get what you pay for, but I am really pleased with my mk3 purchase and its saving both resources and my money, which is very apparent from recent bills, reporting is nice but at the end of the day, as long as its saving you monies, that's what its all about.

 

[danesol]

Yes, looks like the GAS is to stay on now with this terrible weather, but the SI unit is nicely preheating the water as and when it can - come on Mr Sun, show your face - 161watts just isnt good enough ! lol

 

[Sunstroker]

You may recall that I reported that my SolarImmersion unit failed a week after installation and was returned to the manufacturers, who promised an upgraded replacement. Well, 21 days and three phone calls later the replacement duly arrived and is now refitted and working. The reason given for the protracted delay was that they were awaiting delivery of the upgraded components. The unit arrived with a note thanking me for my patients (sic). Let’s hope their electronics are better than their spellchecker!


The second unit in my son’s house continues to function satisfactorily. It is powering only one immersion, my own is driving two, and there was a suggestion from the SolarImmersion contact to whom I initially reported the failure of my unit that this might be the reason for its failure. Not exactly reassuring!


The immersion switch neon still glows at full intensity when the water temperature in the HWC is higher than the setting on the immersion stat and the PV is off, so the upgrade hasn’t addressed this peculiarity, but if that’s the only quibble we can live with it.


As I mentioned earlier, the reason for the superheated water is the presence of an efficient woodburning stove in my system, and it is clear that the SolarImmersion will only really have a dual immersion water heating job to do in the summer months, when the woodburner is out. It burns more or less continuously from October to April, supplying most of my central heating and ample hot water for my needs. (I am fortunate in having an ample supply of effectively free firewood).


But the winter sunshine will still supply surplus PV power, so how to use it? I propose substituting a storage heater as the secondary load, instead of one of the immersions. Any ideas on how best to wire such a setup? Can I use a changeover switch? Given that I now have a spare slot in my CU where one of my immersions used to be I presume this could be used as the feed for the storage heater.
I haven’t discussed any of this with my sparky so far, and no doubt he will have his own ideas as to the best solution, but I’d welcome suggestions to throw at him!

 

[danesol]

But the winter sunshine will still supply surplus PV power, so how to use it? I propose substituting a storage heater as the secondary load, instead of one of the immersions. Any ideas on how best to wire such a setup? Can I use a changeover switch? Given that I now have a spare slot in my CU where one of my immersions used to be I presume this could be used as the feed for the storage heater.
I haven’t discussed any of this with my sparky so far, and no doubt he will have his own ideas as to the best solution, but I’d welcome suggestions to throw at him!

Did you action this at all ??

 

[Sunstroker]

Yes, and all is working well, or at least it would be if the sun would shine a bit more. 233Wh yesterday! I'd get more heat from a tealight!
I see someone else has discovered my "lit neon" syndrome, so it would appear that this is common to all SI units.

I mentioned earlier that one of our two original units failed and was eventually replaced by an "upgraded" one. I notice a slight difference between the two units. With the first one, the immersion switch neon glows steadily when the unit is diverting, irrespective of the rate of diversion, whereas the upgraded unit produces a flickering neon on the switch, and the diversion rate appears to vary in a cyclical fashion according to the unit's LCD readout.

Communication with the manufacturers continues to be frustrating. I phoned and asked for a proper VAT invoice, as I was only supplied with a Paypal receipt, but despite promises nothing has materialised. I fear for any kind of long-term support.

 

[HJG1]

A word of warning. Have purchased the Solarimmersion via their website on 21st April 2014. Received email notification of dispatched item 24th April ,but in fact they had not actally sent to item at that stage. Eventually received the item the following week only to find the item was faulty staright out of the box. The triac was actually broken from the unti so it was obvious straight away. Phone company same day- they could not sent a repalcement that week so I cancelled the order for full refund. Item was sent back and I waited , and waited for refund- none came. I email and phoned, but no refund. Had to go via Paypal to get my money back- event hen the company did not respond.
Now have an Immersun II installed and working perfectly. Lesson learned- pay a bit more for quality and service!

 

[nielfrancis]

Hi there,
Read this and checked with a couple of my electrician friends who are using Solarimmersion. They found it somewhat strange when I mentioned about the "triac" as there is no triac in it. They have been using it since a year and are happy with the results.
Sad to hear your experience although good luck with your new choice!