My Simple Controller

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Aquafish
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Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:07 pm

My Simple Controller

Post by Aquafish »

With the help of many from this site I have finished my controller. Many thanks :D I made it as simple as I could with materials on hand and items purchased from Auber Instruments and others. The SSVR and heat sink were about $60.00. Camco 5500, watt element, 02693, $25.00 from Amazon. All other items I had on hand. Not and inexpensive project. I used one twist lock plug and two receptacles. The receptacle is used to get power to the controller from my generator hookup located in my shed. It then sends power to the keg via cord. There is a master on/off switch that controls all the power coming into the shed. Haven’t tested it as of yet still need to install element and wire it up. Again thanks for all the help.
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superdaveva
Swill Maker
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Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:07 am
Location: mountains of va.

Re: My Simple Controller

Post by superdaveva »

Nice job :D
just deal with it bitches
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Aquafish
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Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:07 pm

Re: My Simple Controller

Post by Aquafish »

Thanks Superdaveva. I tested the controller yesterday with 7 gallons of well water, approx. 67 degrees. It took approx. 23 1/2 minutes for it to come to a boil. I didn't think that was to bad. I played with the Pot and it worked like a charm. The heat sink did get quite hot though. I put a fan to it. I was in my steel sheld which was well over a 100 degrees inside. I have to get some venting in there before I continue. I am very happy with the result. Simple to build and easy to run. :D Cleaning runs next. :clap:
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still_stirrin
Master of Distillation
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play

Re: My Simple Controller

Post by still_stirrin »

Good work. Plain & simple. No frills . . . just function. Refreshing.

How'd you make your termination? Did you use compression terminals? I see you've got things all taped up.

And it looks like you've used the 10/3 stranded wire for your power feeders (proper size) too.
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
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Aquafish
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Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:07 pm

Re: My Simple Controller

Post by Aquafish »

Thanks still_stirrin. I have an old dishwasher which I robbed parts off of. The connectors are from the dishwasher, tons of them, and they are push on and they lock in place. Enclosure is an irrigation hit by lightening which destroyed the electronics. Of course you can't buy replacement parts so I ended up with an extra water proof box. Power feed is 8/4 to the 10/3 cords, left over from another project. Power to the keg cord is 8 gague from and old dryer cord which I cut up. That was not shown. The tape just makes me feel safe. Probable a little much as the SSVR has it's own protective cover. You made some close observations and if others do also I want to say this is NOT a safe set up. It was done this way to save money and not to interfer with my generator. All the componets must be secured, plugged in, in place before the power is turned on. The power comes from the generator cord, which is a male plug. I believe in the generator world it's called a suicide cord.
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