My current still set up is an old ss 18gallon keg with a 2200 watt "no weld" ss heater element.
After drilling a hole in the side wall of my keg, the element was passed through the top hole, fed out the drilled hole and bolted on with a ss nut and silicon washer.
My problem is after doing around 10 or so runs through the still, I am concerned that the excessive heat has perished the wiring and sheathing around the end of the power cord where it meets the end of the element. The connection appears to be deteriorated and the sheathing around the wires seems a little brittle.
Has anyone had similar problems with this type of setup? I dont know much about electrics but don't want to fry myself...If there is a safer more longer lasting setup for a fixed heater element keg installation I would appreciate your ideas. Also any contacts or info in Australia would be handy..thanks..
Sounds like you used a too-small power cord! You must use properly sized wiring; using too small of a gauge wire will cause it to run hot, and that is dangerous. Always go oversized, and always make damn sure that all of the wire is on the connection screw, not just some of it.
You should be running at least a 12 gauge cord, not a 14 or, yikes, a 16 gauge. Get yee some good wire and re-do the thing. These elements will live in water heaters for years and years, if not decades and decades; ten runs is nothing. It's not the element's fault...
i think you mean this one, mine has (had) a small issue where the wire enters the element the black shrink tube stuff was not quite long enough and you can see the 3 wires (in their own colored insulation) behind the little plastic / ceramic cover. the little cover was also loose after installation.
i used a bit of high temp silicone and "glued" the little cover in place and this also double insulated the area where the shrink tube was "missing"
personally i am thinking i will upgrade to a "weld in" element flange set up. i have no problems with mine but i reckon the way the wires are there might be an issue in the future. if the wires broke off or needed modification i cant see a good way they could be re-attached due to the way they are made. i also think the wiring is a little underrated for them.
I really need to put a drain in my boiler, i was then going to mount it on wheels and secure the wires so they don't flap around when i move my boiler etc.
in am installing a 25amp power set up in the workshop very soon
Yep Maheel thats the one I've got.
Supposed to be rated to just plug in to Aussie domestic power supply with provided cords. And yep the little cap/cover thing is now cracked/come away from the connection to the element.
I pulled it off and scraped out the mastic filler (unplugged of course!) and the 3 wires are not screw joined into the element, just copper crimped. The wires look like they've been cooked somehow and the plastic sheathing around them is quite brittle, from the heat I guess...
As I don't know a thing about electrics I think I'll go and show an electrician. Maybe the weld in tube and screw in element (wired by a professional) might be safer?
Also to anyone in oz who is using these types of elements in their kegs/boilers, keep an eye out for the condition of the joint between cord and element, we don't want anyone getting hurt!!
