As we come into the colder part of the year, I find my instantaneous water heater struggles with the incoming water temperature, its designed to work with a 15 degree incoming temperature, I use a 40 L aquaroll with a float from the mains hook up to keep it constantly filled, have the barrel rised off the ground to stop the cold getting into the barrel, but with the water coming in at 8/9 degrees it’s hard , someone suggested putting a heater in the barrel, like you see in a fish tank , any other suggestions would be most welcome
In coming water temperatures
- Thread starter charlesdobson
- Start date
I wonder if the instantaneous water heater is simply not designed for UK temperatures as the average UK temperature, over a full year, is only about 10 degrees C which will be the average water temperature coming in.
Putting a heater in the barrel would be very inefficient, wasting most of it's energy to the atmosphere.
You could fit a supplementary water heater between the cold intake and the instantaneous heater.
Had thought of that , but it’s very hard to get a heater that will only bring the water temperature up to 15 degrees or there abouts ??
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hi and welcome to the forum.
One of the forums members has already gone through a similar exercise, unfortunately I can't remember who it was, but I suspect he had a differnt heater in the caravan as he was looking to raise the external tank above 15C.
When posting technical questions it can help us a lot if you can provide make model and year of caravan, and similar information about any specific appliances your query may be about.
I suspect a fish tank heater and thermostat may be all you need. It would be best to have an adjustable thermostat. If you were to insulate your water barrel it would improve the efficiency, and of course would help prevent freezing.
One of the forums members has already gone through a similar exercise, unfortunately I can't remember who it was, but I suspect he had a differnt heater in the caravan as he was looking to raise the external tank above 15C.
When posting technical questions it can help us a lot if you can provide make model and year of caravan, and similar information about any specific appliances your query may be about.
I suspect a fish tank heater and thermostat may be all you need. It would be best to have an adjustable thermostat. If you were to insulate your water barrel it would improve the efficiency, and of course would help prevent freezing.
- Nov 11, 2009
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It was Grey13 who put a lot of time into producing a system with additional heating so that he could enjoy longer showers. Last post was around time he was heading to italy with a new Jaguar F Pace tow car.
A search of his posts will highlight what he did. Look at “heater” by Grey13 and there are two detailed threads come up.
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You can buy padded covers for the aquarol which might help. You'll need one with the hole for the water input.
Remember that increasing the barrel water temperature will increase the temperature of water from the cold taps.
Bags4Everthing at Ossett, W Yorks do some very good padded covers - including the pump pipe
I think a previous suggestion of fitting an inline heater between the supply to my heater and the cold sounds like a good idea, would be easier to regulate, but it’s finding such an item is the trick!
That works to an extent, but after a while the heater throws up an air pressure fault with the water pump kicking in and out
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