Electrical Question ???

[Ozark Shiner]

Had an idea and thought I would run it past all the guys with better electrical backgrounds than myself.

I would like to have one 4500w 240v heater element and be able to run it at dual voltages. 240v for getting the boiler up to temp and then 120v for the cuts. I have seen several suggestions (DPDT switches / all kinds of electronics / wiring in a 120v pigtail / etc). Here was my idea.

Wire a standard SPST 20A light switch on one "hot leg" of the 240v three wire.

Wire a standard 20A 3-way switch on the other "hot leg" and the "neutral".

The SPST switch is the "on-off switch"
The 3-way becomes the 120v - 240v selector switch.

When the SPST is "on" you get one leg of "hot"
When the 3-way is in one position you get the other "hot" leg = 240v
When the 3-way is in the other position you get the neutral = 120v

Seems like a really simple solution and able to be done with stuff from Lowes. Really wish I could draw a simple schematic for what I am talking about.

So..... will it work?

[dunderhead]

Yes But moust switches arnt havy anuf
maby salvag swatch frum stove. or use relays

[pintoshine]

You can buy the switches rated for 20A at most building supplies. Houses with a ceiling full of recessed lights approach this rating regularly and require the heavier duty switches. Most won't be rated for 240vac but I have used them. They are heavy enough but will have a shortened life span.

[shadylane]

A friend of mine uses the same set up. Just remember you will only get about 25% of the power when you cut the voltage in half.

[Tater]

if ya use the spdt switch to operate 2 240 volt coil contactors .amp draw wont be a problem.

[Ozark Shiner]

Thank you Shadylane. From your comment I take it that it will work.

I will go buy the supplies and give it a try.

I also scored a 1500w rheostat on ebay for $12 !!!! Yee-ha !!!!!

Thanks - Ozark Shiner

[mtnwalker2]

I mounted double pole switches to control on-off to water pump, and hot water heater in an easy to get to location. They would work great here, for the total on off.

[mtnwalker2]

BTW, wouldn't it be better to run a 4 wire line and ground the still? Just in case?

[Tater]

BTW, wouldn't it be better to run a 4 wire line and ground the still? Just in case?

That would be the only safe way to do it to my way of seeing.

[dunderhead]

Yes 4 wire Arund water
and get thoes switces right
use dpst "shut off both lines "for main switch
use spdt "swaps between to lines"
If your not shur what your doing set it up with
batters "in place of main and light bulb in place
of heater.

[wineo]

I had thought about rigging me up an electric heated keg,but with the price of electric these days,Ill be sticking with propane.Im a cheap a**.

[underhead]

Same here wineo
if things get to bad i ca go back to wood.

[mtnwalker2]

I've had 2 houses, late 40's early 50's with 2 wire with ground service. Would be washing dishes, and set wet stuff on stove and get a jolt.

Learned to grouond that case to a copper water pipe or back to fuse panel.

While on this subject, and especially for those of you who live in an arid dry area, if the dirt surrounding your grounding rod becomes super dry, it will no no longer work. My electrician required 3 grounding rods before he would allow entrance. He didn't even charge me for the extra's. Wouldn't put his name on the entrance without the extra grounding.

I raised sheep for several years. Had a really high amp electric fence arouond pasture. The sheep would come up to water in a draught situation and jump every so many seconds. Wet the ground rods down well and no more problems.


IE: Grounding is as important an issue as power supply and voltage regulation.

Some of you via posts live in a very dry area, for at least part of the year, please consider adding extra grounding attaching to copper pipes as entrries.

Be safe and happy.

[dunderhead]

Put salt arund grund it will help retain moister

If any buddy ask i'M making beer ---
I condenens it so it fts in the bottle