Hongtai DC heating elements are engineered specifically for low-voltage, off-grid applications. Whether you are designing a solar water heater element system or retrofitting a campervan (RV) water tank, these elements provide efficient direct current (DC) heating directly from battery banks or renewable energy sources.
Standardized with industry-common flanges (1″ NPT), they serve as excellent dump load heaters for wind turbines and photovoltaic systems to dissipate excess energy safely.
Key Features:
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Voltage Options: 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V DC.
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Sheath Material: Copper (Standard for Water), Stainless Steel (Oil/Water), Incoloy.
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Battery Friendly: Direct connection to deep cycle batteries or solar controllers.
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Safety: Low voltage immersion heater design eliminates high-voltage shock hazards.
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Mounting: Standard 1″ NPT or 1.25″ BSP threads compatible with most water heater tanks.
1. Specifications & Dimensions
| Parameter | Standard Specification | Customizable Options |
| Sheath Diameter | 8.0mm, 10mm | 12mm |
| Voltage (DC) | 12V, 24V, 48V | Custom DC Voltage |
| Wattage | 300W, 600W, 900W, 1200W | Up to 2000W (Amperage Limited) |
| Sheath Material | Copper (Nickel Plated option) | SS304, SS316 |
| Mounting Thread | 1 Inch NPT (Brass) | Flange Plate / BSP Thread |
| Terminal Type | Screw Terminal (#10-32) | Heavy Duty Post (High Amperage) |
Figure : DC Heater Terminals.
Due to the high amperage nature of low-voltage heating (Amps = Watts / Volts), our 12v heating elements feature robust terminal posts to prevent overheating at the connection point.
2. Industrial & Off-Grid Applications
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Solar Water Heating: Direct PV-to-Heater application for heating water without an inverter.
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Renewable Energy Dump Loads: Used to absorb excess power from wind turbines or solar panels when batteries are fully charged, preventing system over-voltage.
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Mobile Living: Hot water generation for RVs, Campervans, Boats, and Food Trucks.
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Livestock: Water trough de-icing in remote agricultural locations utilizing solar power.
3.Electrical Safety & Amperage
Important: Low voltage does not mean low power. A 600W element running at 12V draws 50 Amps.
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Wiring: Installers must use heavy-gauge cabling suitable for the calculated amperage to prevent voltage drop and fire risks.
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Thermostat: These elements are resistive loads and do not contain internal switches. We recommend pairing them with a DC-rated thermostat or Solid State Relay (SSR).
4. FAQ
Q: Can I run a 12V heater on a 24V battery bank?
A: No. Applying 24V to a 12v heating element quadruples the wattage (Power = V²/R), which will instantly burn out the element and may boil the water dangerously fast. You must match the heater voltage to your battery system.
Q: Can these be used for oil heating?
A: Standard copper elements are for water only. If you need to heat oil (e.g., waste vegetable oil or hydraulic fluid), please specify Stainless Steel or Steel sheath and request a lower watt density design to prevent carbonization.
Q: Do you offer a “Dry Burn” protection version?
A: We can manufacture custom elements with an extra port for a temperature sensor probe, allowing your external controller to shut off power if the water level drops.
