Hi all.
A plain 40 gallon domestic water heater, meant to run at 240V, usually has two heating elements, one for the upper section, one for the lower section each about 3500 Watts, and their thermostats switches one or the other into operation, as far as I know.
That amount of power allows the incoming water to heat up to about 150F in a 'reasonable short' amount of time. Guessing 1 hour.
With a limited amount of current capability from mains and available breakers in the distribution panel, am asking these scenarios:
1. Powering with 120V instead. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F.
2. Powering the rewired heating elements in series with 240V. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F
3. Powering the rewired heating elements in series with 120V. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F
4. Replacing the heating elements with ones that can be powered by the limited source, series or normal.
Fast heating is not needed at all. I believe that with time, guessing 6+ hours, water should reach its intended temperature. For a single daily shower, I believe it should work.
Do you agree ?
A plain 40 gallon domestic water heater, meant to run at 240V, usually has two heating elements, one for the upper section, one for the lower section each about 3500 Watts, and their thermostats switches one or the other into operation, as far as I know.
That amount of power allows the incoming water to heat up to about 150F in a 'reasonable short' amount of time. Guessing 1 hour.
With a limited amount of current capability from mains and available breakers in the distribution panel, am asking these scenarios:
1. Powering with 120V instead. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F.
2. Powering the rewired heating elements in series with 240V. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F
3. Powering the rewired heating elements in series with 120V. Will the temperature eventually reach 150F, after a much longer time ? The heating elements themselves can still get waaay hotter than 150F
4. Replacing the heating elements with ones that can be powered by the limited source, series or normal.
Fast heating is not needed at all. I believe that with time, guessing 6+ hours, water should reach its intended temperature. For a single daily shower, I believe it should work.
Do you agree ?
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