Low-voltage fluid heater
Techniques for heating fluids with uninsulated heating elements. The techniques generally include supplying a source of high voltage of at least 100V, transforming the voltage to low voltage and heating an uninsulated element with said low voltage thereby heating the fluid.
1. A method of heating water, comprising:
a. supplying a source of high voltage power of at least 100V;
b. transforming said high voltage to low voltage;
c. heating an electrically uninsulated immersion heating element with said low voltage thereby heating the water, wherein the electrically uninsulated heating element is formed from an about 80% nickel and 20% chrome alloy, wherein the low voltage ranges from about 22V to 28V; and
d. selecting between shore power, a generator or an alternator, and a battery, via a remote selector switch to power the uninsulated immersion heating element, wherein the remote selector switch automatically selects shore power when shore power is available.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the element is a wire.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the wire is between 0.2-4 mm.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein low voltage is about 24V.
5. The method according to claim 1 for use in marine water heating systems.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting switches for AC and DC usage.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage is about 26V.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element comprises heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element for which a support arm coupled to ceramic bushes support the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element comprises heating the uninsulated immersion heating element that is coupled to cold pins that prevent heating of terminals coupled to a power supply supplying an extra low voltage.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element comprises heating a coil, wire, or ribbon.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element comprises using a thermostat to heat the water to a desired temperature.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein heating the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element comprises:
heating a single rod included in the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element is the only electrically uninsulated immersion heating element disposed within a tank holding water for heating by the electrically uninsulated immersion heating element.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the tank includes only one element that is coupled to the low voltage.