Electric Controller

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josh
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Electric Controller

Post by josh »

Will this Controller work with this element? The element is labeled > alt rating 4000w 208V on one side and 5500W 240V on the other.

The controller is labeled > “Voltage: AC 85-240V; Maximum Power: 4000W (connected resistive load) Voltage Regulation: 7V-220V; Dimensions: 85x55x38mm; Protection: Anti-spike, Surge, RC absorption (EOC). Application: water heater Size: 8x6x4cm”

It's for a 16gallon copper pot.

Could I just avoid going to high, adding an extended aluminum heat sink and a little fan?
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fizzix
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by fizzix »

I say no. At MAX 220v, that heater is going to want ~4600W which exceeds the controller rating.
Even a fan and extra heat sink aren't going to allow a 600W (15%) overload.
josh
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by josh »

Where do you find these controllers other than online. All the ones at the hardware stores have 170 degree shut offs. I live in Ontario. I've searched online for months for a store that will sell one of these and I can't figure it out. I would just order one off amazon but my superintendent loves hanging out next to the mail box when the mail man comes and chatting it up. I literally hear him questioning who got what and why threw my doors and I just cringe. He's just being friendly and probably would care less if he knew what I was up to but still he's a prying busybody non the less.

Is this one of those kooky Canadian things like we can buy fireworks but not firecrackers?

Do they have them at electrical supply stores, surplus stores?

I can find controllers at brew supply stores but there massive boxes that cost $399
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fizzix
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by fizzix »

He's going to pry into what's in a box addressed to you?
Stand your ground. Why are you letting this clown run your life?

If you have to, tell him it's a personal gift for someone and you don't want to discuss it.

Order a nice overrated power unit. They're cheap online and I doubt you'd find one on a store shelf.
josh
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by josh »

Would this controller and wire work well with the 5500w element?
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Desvio
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by Desvio »

Here is what I used to build mine many years ago (about $80 USD total) and packed it all in a waterproof ABS junction box from the hardware store, course you'll need wiring, plugs and fuses. While I built mine to run a 5500w element but I've been running with a 4500w because replacements are right down the street and it works just fine. I have expected the SSR to give up one day and bough a spare, but it hasn't ever failed me, the oversized heat sink gets a little warm running at full throttle, but never so hot you cannot touch it.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=444
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... ucts_id=30

My controller> viewtopic.php?f=85&t=44557&start=90#p7461055
Last edited by Desvio on Wed Apr 25, 2018 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Pikey
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by Pikey »

Yeah you'll burn it out in no time using it at max rated value for hours on end. (Mine asted around half an hour. ) - 10kw one should cope easily enough though.
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fizzix
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by fizzix »

Pikey wrote:Yeah you'll burn it out in no time using it at max rated value for hours on end. (Mine asted around half an hour. ) - 10kw one should cope easily enough though.
+1 on that, josh.
josh
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by josh »

Thanks guys for your response. Sorry for the late gratitude. I found a cheap $20 burner so went with that. A few years back I ordered a thermometer and I swear it did not say moonshine still in the online description. When it came to my door it said MOONSHINE STILL THERMOMETER in big bold letters.

Just now I looked at my online receipt and it totally was listed as moonshine still thermometer. I got it in my head that anything ordered online would arrive with the words MOONSHINE pasted on the box.
Nunyo
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by Nunyo »

josh wrote:Would this controller and wire work well with the 5500w element?
That is essentually the same controller I used in my build to control a 5500w heater.
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by Nunyo »

Should you decide to build your own controller, here is the parts list for the one I built.
These are a couple threads that were instrumental for me when considering my parts list and wiring.

viewtopic.php?f=85&t=62655

viewtopic.php?f=85&t=44557

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=43456



Here is a breakdown of all the parts. I could have gone much more simple but I do like to complicate things.

I used this SCR controller. I bought 2 so I have a spare.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC110V-220V-10 ... 3432913042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This dial face for the above controller. This wasn't needed but i thought it added a finished touch to the enclosure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M9GZIC1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This NMEA enclosure. I could have gone cheaper but I wanted one that was rugged with plenty of room inside:
tps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OG1X7K4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I used this circuit breaker as the power switch. I could have used a simple 220v 30a wall type switch but I wanted something a bit more robust:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013SWPSY4/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

These rails to mount the above breaker in the box. I cut the rail to fit the box and used standoffs and long screws to mount the rail so the face of the breaker would stick out through the face of the enclosure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0159JLOCE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This digital amp/volt meter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YY1KOHA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This 30amp L6 30R and L6-30P outlet and plug. I bought a couple of these so I had an outlet for my wall and for my controller box.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Amp-250-Vol ... 3309669606" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This 220/240v fan for keeping the controller enclosure nice and cool.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/220V-240V-8cm- ... 2756981482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

These fan filters for keeping dust out of the enclosure. One went on the intake side and I used a standard fan grill over the fan side which pushes out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00315C03G/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

And finally, this 5500w tri clamp heater element that has an L6-30P plug connection on it. It made it nice and easy to disconnect the power from the heater while leaving the heater in the boiler.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075KHLJ69/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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josh
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by josh »

Thanks Nunyo. I took at quick look at your controller and the parts listed when you first shared them with me. It looks very much like what I had in mind for an ideal controller. Months ago all that info would have been overwhelming and intimidating. Now something like that makes allot of sense.

After doing my 3rd run ever with the used $20 burner I just got I'm sure I will be investing in a controller set up much like that months from now.

Between controlling my propane, checking for leaks in the rye paste, fiddling with the condenser pump and tap and spigot drizzling ethanol down the side on the condenser I barely have time to piss or change a song on the stereo.

Need more control and may be asking questions in ta few months.

Thanks again.
Nunyo
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Re: Electric Controller

Post by Nunyo »

josh wrote:Thanks Nunyo. I took at quick look at your controller and the parts listed when you first shared them with me. It looks very much like what I had in mind for an ideal controller. Months ago all that info would have been overwhelming and intimidating. Now something like that makes allot of sense.

After doing my 3rd run ever with the used $20 burner I just got I'm sure I will be investing in a controller set up much like that months from now.

Between controlling my propane, checking for leaks in the rye paste, fiddling with the condenser pump and tap and spigot drizzling ethanol down the side on the condenser I barely have time to piss or change a song on the stereo.

Need more control and may be asking questions in ta few months.

Thanks again.
Glad to help. I've done several runs with my controller and it works like a charm. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If for some reason I don't see your comment in the post, feel free to PM me. The build though is very simple and straight forward and adding a 220v outlet to run the thing is very simple even if you're not an electrician which I'm not.
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