Electric heating elament & controler ?

[John t]

After reading thread after thread about electric heating my boiler I was wondering if I buy a 120v 2000w water heater element from Lowes for $20.00 and a 15 amp / 120v electric motor speed controler for $20.00 from WW Granger, wire and plug them in. Just wondering if this isn't a bit simpler way to heat things up ?
How's this sound ? Any issues ?

[dieselduo]

your going to need a 20 amp controller for a 2000w element because it draws 16.6 amps. or you could go down to a 1650 w element which would draw 13.75 amps

[Grey_Meadow]

John, whatever way you go, make sure that you get the Ultra Low Watt Density element. Otherwise you will be making carmel (or burnt brittle) on the element. The largest 120V Ultra Low Density element I saw in a quick search was 1500 Watt / 120V / 12.5 amps.

[LWTCS]

your going to need a 20 amp controller for a 2000w element because it draws 16.6 amps. or you could go down to a 1650 w element which would draw 13.75 amps

He can use the 2000 watt element but he won't get 2000 watts applied to the boiler

[John t]

So would the element just max out at what ever watts the controler will let it to. Is there any danger doing it this way ?

[LWTCS]

Nope.
The danger is for instance,,,,,,, a 1500 watt element being run on a 30 amp circuit with a commensurately sized switch/controller.

Can also run a 5500 on 120 volts if ya want but you'll likely only get about 1300-1800 watts (or the like) to the boiler.

[acfixer69]

Nope.
The danger is for instance,,,,,,, a 1500 watt element being run on a 30 amp circuit with a commensurately sized switch/controller.

Can also run a 5500 on 120 volts if ya want but you'll likely only get about 1300-1800 watts (or the like) to the boiler.

Not true it will run just fine. As long as it is a 120 circuit.

AC

[LWTCS]

Nope.
The danger is for instance,,,,,,, a 1500 watt element being run on a 30 amp circuit with a commensurately sized switch/controller.

Can also run a 5500 on 120 volts if ya want but you'll likely only get about 1300-1800 watts (or the like) to the boiler.

Not true it will run just fine. As long as it is a 120 circuit.

AC

Ah,,I stand corrected for not crossing my Ts and dotting my eyes....second brain fart of the day.

[acfixer69]

Nope.
The danger is for instance,,,,,,, a 1500 watt element being run on a 30 amp circuit with a commensurately sized switch/controller.

Can also run a 5500 on 120 volts if ya want but you'll likely only get about 1300-1800 watts (or the like) to the boiler.

Not true it will run just fine. As long as it is a 120 circuit.

AC

Ah,,I stand corrected for not crossing my Ts and dotting my eyes....second brain fart of the day.

Jesus. Chill out Larry it wasn't a dot or t cross it was just wrong and the OP is confused enough. This is why I rarely post here.

AC

[skow69]

the OP is confused enough.
AC

Yeah, I'm not sure we've done this guy any favors, yet.

John, let me try to distill this info for you. [Har!]

First you chose your element according to how much power (heat) you need. Then you choose a controller that will carry enough amps for the element. If the controller is underrated, it will not restrict the element, it will burn up.

Make sure the element and controller have the same voltage rating (120 or 240). Assuming they do, you can determine the approximate current (amps) required by amps = watts over volts. Ex. 2000 watts / 120 volts = 16.7 amps.

You can never use gear rated for 120 on a 240 volt circuit. You can use a 240 volt element on a 120 volt circuit, but it will reduce the power by a factor of 4. Ex. 5500 watt element on 120 volts = approx. 1375 watts which will require approx. 11.5 amps.

Hope that helps.
skow

[LWTCS]

Hi AC,
I'm pretty sure you took how I meant what I said the wrong way?
No worries.

[Prairiepiss]

You must have missed this thread doing your mandatory reading. In the must read new distiller reading lounge.

Mr P's 110v Harbor Freight controller duel element setup.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 62&t=28179

And no you can't run a 2000 watt element on a 15 amp controller. Or a 15 amp circuit for that matter.

At full on. The element will draw its max amps. Heating the controller parts up beyond their limits. And draw more amps then the circuit is rated for. Most likely popping the circuit breaker. If not melting some plugs and or wires in the process.

My router controller switch would melt. If I used a 2000 w element. I sometimes wonder why it hasn't melted with 1375 watts. It's so cheap.

Most home circuits are only 15 amp. Except for GFCI circuits. That require a 20 amp circuit breaker. But that doesn't mean the wires are rated for the 20 amp circuit. I have seen many GFCI circuits fed with the same 14 g wire used in the rest of the homes 15 amp circuits. Most common in older homes. That didn't have GFCI when built. But have also seen it in new homes. I know the code inspector here can't tell 14 g from 12 g.

Not to mention what else might be on that same circuit. If there is anything else on that circuit. It will be over loaded.

Best thing to do in a home. Is to stick with 1500 watts or less. For 120 VDC circuits. Unless you have had a electrician install a dedicated 20 amp 120 Vac circuit. Just for the still. With the proper wire. But if your gona do that. Mite as well step up to a 30 amp 240 VDC circuit. And be done with it.

[skow69]

Best thing to do in a home. Is to stick with 1500 watts or less. For 120 VDC circuits. Unless you have had a electrician install a dedicated 20 amp 120 Vac circuit. Just for the still. With the proper wire. But if your gona do that. Mite as well step up to a 30 amp 240 VDC circuit. And be done with it.

PP--You sure you meant to say "VDC" there?

[Prairiepiss]

Best thing to do in a home. Is to stick with 1500 watts or less. For 120 VDC circuits. Unless you have had a electrician install a dedicated 20 amp 120 Vac circuit. Just for the still. With the proper wire. But if your gona do that. Mite as well step up to a 30 amp 240 VDC circuit. And be done with it.

PP--You sure you meant to say "VDC" there?

LOL No it should have been VAC.