1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

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Still Life
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1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

Since I got my still in March of this year, I've had two 1500W band heaters go out on me (dead shorted).
Never ran them dry or even low level.
I run the still once on Friday nights and maybe twice on Saturdays, so you can see I'm not getting much mileage out of these.
No physical damage, crimps, or stressed electrical cord.

The first failure was considered an anomaly and was cheerfully replaced, free, by the company.
This second one lasted about as long as the first, and I'm awaiting a response from the company.
They assure me these heaters should last "much longer".

Nothing like rushing home to still and hitting a brick wall. Bummer.

Anyone out there have any words on this matter?
At $68 a pop, I'm a little concerned me or the company will quickly get tired of replacing them.

(I'm in the basement, so open flame is not a resolution ---yet. May have to move outside.)
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by yakattack »

Maybe time to switch to an internal element .
HDNB wrote: The trick here is to learn what leads to a stalled mash....and quit doing that.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

That may be beyond my skills.
Got a walk-out basement with cement patio that may be my new realm with a propane burner.
Just hate being at the mercy of weather.

To clarify:
Was wondering if any one else used these band heaters and how long they last for them.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by rgreen2002 »

Still Life wrote:That may be beyond my skills.

I used to think the same thing..... Now I have a 24 gallon still with a 120V and a 240V element. Believe me...follow the directions here and youre good as gold SL. Plus an internal element costs about $30 to replace if needed. :mrgreen:
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Blarney Stoned »

SL, I'm confused. You're using a 1500w band heater to run a boiler ? I can see their use on a larger fermenter but not a boiler. Please explain.

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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Pikey »

Do you have insulation over the top of them ? Maybe overheating them ?
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

No insulation, Pikey.

Blarney, it's custom made to fit the boiler by the manufacturer (not a retrofit or improvisation).

I think it's just a self-destructing design.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Pikey »

Still Life wrote:No insulation, Pikey.

Blarney, it's custom made to fit the boiler by the manufacturer (not a retrofit or improvisation).

I think it's just a self-destructing design.
Seems certainlt that it's not up to the job - over here we have the "Sale of Goods acts" - the principal points of which are "Fitness for purpose" and "fitness for usage" - those are being used for the purpose intended - they are clearly not up to it.

Ask them to refund your wasted electric and your wasted time as well as sending a replacement.

It's their problem not yours axcept for one small detail which means you cannot take them to law ! :oops:
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Shine0n »

Bring your set up close to the door and let fresh air in even in the cold. I'm sure you have a door at the top of your stairs going into your home????
As long as there's positive air flow the vapor levels will not clime high enough to have concerns. In case you're worried, put an exhaust fan blowing out the door.

I still in a barn with no ac or heat (other than the still heat) it can be brutal at times but my wife says no no and hell no to using the house. Plus the whole propane thing, I've thought of running electric out there but as Cranky says I'm a cheap bastard. lol Soo no go there either.

I myself love running with propane, heat up times are faster, dont have to worry about scorched grains on the elements, plus it keep my feet warm in the winter. JK

Stop wasting your time on those bands that are obviously not holding up to the hype and go either propane or electric elements. Just do some research before making a decision.
There will be plenty of both parties (gas/electric) to give plenty of advice and help you on your choice.

PROPANE 1
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by skow69 »

I've got an 8" 1000 watt band heater I've been running for over 3 years with no problems.
Distilling at 110f and 75 torr.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by RedwoodHillBilly »

skow69 wrote:I've got an 8" 1000 watt band heater I've been running for over 3 years with no problems.
Same here, The OP is using Rick's (Brewhaus America) system. I started out using that system 1st with propane, then with 2 1500W band heaters. They worked fine for me (no failures). I've since upgraded to internal elements and a larger system. I'm sure that Rick will take care of you as he is a stand up guy.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by skow69 »

Yeah, I wouldn't be afraid to take another replacement. You're probably just the lucky guy who got two defectives in a row. It happens.
Distilling at 110f and 75 torr.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

...and they wonder why I drink.
~Murphy's Law~

Bought a 1500W hot plate to get me by until the band heater issue is resolved.
WORKED FOR 1 DISTILLATION. NOW DEAD

Yes the outlet is live. The plate's power light doesn't even come on anymore.
Other appliances work in the outlet just fine.

But chin up. This is almost humorous.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by RedwoodHillBilly »

As far as I'm concerned, Murphy was an optimist.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by FullySilenced »

I predict that you will keep having issues with the band heaters... and hotplates.. i have used both in industrial situations for years...

However i haven't lost an internal element in a boiler as of yet...

I think i shared that in your original thread regarding this subject.

wishing you the best but i would find a way to go internal element if i were you.

happy stillin,

FS
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

Thanks, FS. Appreciated.
I haven't gotten aggravated enough to bore a hole in this new boiler yet.
I'm apprehensive due to my lack of metalwork skills.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by captainshooch »

Shop around in your area for someone to tig weld you a 2" triclamp on that boiler.

I have been on electric since 2013 and would never go back. I still use propane on my mash tun, but can do with 3 x 5500watt elements.

My original 26 gallon boiler came with just one place for electric element, since I added a second one and I still have all the elements I bought, never had one go bad and most of my boilers now have a place for 2.

Ya need to get aggravated enough to get it done, you will not regret it.

When I order new boilers now I insist in 2 x 2" TC's.....beats getting done after the fact.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by captainshooch »

15008432537290.jpg
My latest one has 2 as well
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Pikey »

FullySilenced wrote:I predict that you will keep having issues with the band heaters... and hotplates.. i have used both in industrial situations for years...

However i haven't lost an internal element in a boiler as of yet...

I think i shared that in your original thread regarding this subject.

wishing you the best but i would find a way to go internal element if i were you.

happy stillin,

FS
I loaded up my "underfloor element" tea urn yesterday and switched her on :D - Nothing, Nada, Diddley Squat, light on plug socket, power controller all lit up - Little red neon on stove - completely blank.

Stripped all the pastry off and ladelled the wash back into the barrel, washed out teh pot and took the bottom off. One of the connectors had come loose and burnt then insulation before finally dropping off.

Anyway, all back up and running today and another 5 litres "EasyScotch" in the bag ! Scary for a minute there though :shock:
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by shadylane »

Still Life wrote:I haven't gotten aggravated enough to bore a hole in this new boiler yet.
When you do get aggravated enough, Here's a bulkhead fitting to getter done

https://www.longislandhomebrew.com/prod ... 0f83e594a1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

Thanks, Shadylane. That helps.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by greggn »

While I have nothing to offer regarding the band heater I do suggest you replace the rubber bung at the top of your column with a natural cork.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

greggn wrote:While I have nothing to offer regarding the band heater I do suggest you replace the rubber bung at the top of your column with a natural cork.
Thanks, Gregg. Appreciate it.
I think that's a size #28 Natural.
Despite assurances this tan gum stopper is safe... well, you know.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by greggn »

> I think that's a size #28 Natural.

Yep, a #28 fits nicely in a 2" column. Here's what I use ...

http://www.widgetco.com/28-cork-stoppers-xxxx
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

greggn wrote:While I have nothing to offer regarding the band heater I do suggest you replace the rubber bung at the top of your column with a natural cork.
Done & done. Thanks greggn
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by shadylane »

I wonder how tight the band heater needs to be ?
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by Still Life »

shadylane wrote:I wonder how tight the band heater needs to be ?
There's a hex bolt that I got as tight as possible.

Sent the last band heater in to vendor. They said failure is due to liquid penetration.
Well, we work in a liquid environment. It would've been minimal if any.
If a splash of wash kills 'em, screw it.
But I'm weary of that battle.

Regardless. I put a cheapie $26 hot plate under the boiler (after bypassing the thermostat)
and surprisingly getting faster heat up and better performance than ever.

I thought this would be temporary, but I'm sticking with it for now.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by MoonBreath »

The band heaters are a delightful idea, just not durable and dependable enough to not be gimmicky.
You'll never be satisfied with a hotplate ..Limited and slow.
Your heat source must be able to adjust from a slow drip, to a fast drip, to a broken stream, to a twisted stream, to a preferred stream.
Won't get that with hotplates or bands.
Then theres the lifespan, which seems to be THE issue.
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by shadylane »

Still Life wrote:
shadylane wrote:I wonder how tight the band heater needs to be ?
There's a hex bolt that I got as tight as possible.
Maybe try, not tightening the bolt as much
And use thermal paste between the heater and boiler
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Re: 1500-Watt Band Heater Failures

Post by skow69 »

It just needs to make full contact. No gaps. But how did water get in it? Mine is encased in some sort of concrete or ceramic. I hose it down all the time.
Distilling at 110f and 75 torr.
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