[Stephen burton]

Just wondering if anyone has put an element in a tank before, does it work of a 12v battery what is the best way to have hot water on a low budget

[Smurf]

If you are on about a water tank immersion heater element then no it needs to be run of 240 volt mains power for several hours to heat the water up. It's an option to consider if you have off road parking but not really an option or practical if you don't.

Those types of elements draw a lot of current so if doing down that route you need a sparky to install a separate feed from your mains board like domestic immersion tanks, electric shower & cookers have. Then an outside weatherproof socket on the wall of the house, arctic extension cable and best option so you don’t have to leave the van door open get fitted a weather proof socket on the outside of the van too.  Obviously don't forget to unplug it before you drive off...Oops! 

[Smudger]

You only need all that and put a hole in the tank for 3 kW elements 2 kW elements are available but check with a sparky that your electricity is upto it.

Really doing it on a budget you can get 1kw and 1.5kw "travel" elements for boiling water in a bucket, I used these for a couple of years  simply unscrew your tank lid and throw it in, (set it in the tank about an inch from the bottom) not as powerful as the immersion elements but I used to get 30degrees in a 500 litre tank when it was minus 3 and that was running from midnight to 7 am

Used to get them off eBay for about £8 - make sure they have the 3 pin plug tho

Darran

[ashbash]

Hi smudger trying to find the element  on eBay that you have described but I'm obviously being thick because I can't seen to find it. Don't suppose you can put a link up to one. What do they run of??  Do you charge them overnight from a mains.
Cheers
Ash

[Smurf]

This vid may be of interest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxrgYEurE3A

Another option is to go for a chepo lpg water heater and have hot/warm water when you need it on tap so to speak.

[Smudger]

Here is the sort of thing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELECTRICAL-PORTABLE-IMMERSION-HOT-WATER-HEATER-ELEMENT-1500W-/261536959163?hash=item3ce4d14abb:g:xFMAAOSwDk5Tyd0w

More expensive as postage is from Oz but keep searching for similar

Darran

[slap bash]

I have a heating system that I run of a 2x penlight  aa  battery its works well and have boiling water in my pole every day.





  the only problem I need another van to carry all the batteries