electric water heater conversion

[Motrukdriver]

Missouri Wind and Solar made this informative video that shows you the steps needed to convert a 120 vac water heater to 12 vdc. 

[frater secessus]

I picked up an AC heating element at a thrift store for cheeeeep a while back intending to play with it.  The math was really off for DC use.  I'll have to get a DC element as the vid shows. 

I want to use it not so much for water heating, but rather to consume excess power when needed so my overpaneled controller stays cool. Slightly warmed water would be a welcome knock-on effect.

[GotSmart]

I converted a couple of them to bbq’s. 

[Ballenxj]

These look really interesting. At the 12v rating of 200 watts, I wonder how hot the water will get?

[Motrukdriver]

These look really interesting. At the 12v rating of 200 watts, I wonder how hot the water will get?

I'm thinking a warm shower at best but that beats a cold shower by a long shot.  Haven't talked to those folks yet but I'm sure there are larger wattage elements to be had.

[John61CT]

Small qty, run long enough get very hot.

Propane tankless much more practical, but ultimate is a Webasto style, can space heat as well.

[frater secessus]

At the 12v rating of 200 watts, I wonder how hot the water will get?

It takes 2.47w to raise one gallon of water 1deg F in one hour.  If my mental math holds (and ignoring losses) , that would be something like:  1gal would increase 80F/hour.   

Hack the gallons/hours to meet one's own setup.

[AbuelaLoca]

Damn y'all are smart!