Help troubleshooting

If it plugs in, post it here.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

I purchased a controller from eBay a couple years back and hAve never had a problem. As luck would have it something just went wrong with it as soon as I put it in the new rig and fired it up. The element does not seem to be getting hot. It buzzes and the meter goes up to about 22 amps but there is no hiss coming from the boiler. Is it possible that I burned up one of the components?? I'm absolutely not an electrician. Any help would be greatly apreciated
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

It seems to be heating. Just much slower than before. Could it be the element?? I jumped out the poles on the knob and the meter goes straight to 22 amps. But that element should be poppin and a crackin at that kind of power
User avatar
shadylane
Master of Distillation
Posts: 11499
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 pm
Location: Hiding In the Boiler room of the Insane asylum

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by shadylane »

If the heater is pulling 22 amps then all is good.
Unless the the meter is messed up also.
User avatar
Halfbaked
retired
Posts: 3401
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Halfbaked »

Put your meter on the 2 hot leads on the element. If you have 220 turn off controller and disconnect from electricity. Take both hots off element and ohm the element (see if you have continuity).
User avatar
still_stirrin
Master of Distillation
Posts: 10372
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by still_stirrin »

Can you take a couple of pictures of your controller, inside & outside? I don't have enough info about it to troubleshoot it (safely).

If, and I say if, you're pushing 22 amps of 220 VAC through it, you're burning a lot of power, dangerous power. Let's assess unpowered until more is known, especially since you say you're definitely not electrically savvy. OK?
ss
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
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

Everything checks out. I put it back together and turned it on and it started working after a while. This new pot is larger than my old one and possibly there is a little learning curve involved??? Im thinking everything is ok. Just seems odd that it would act so much differently. I will post pics soon
User avatar
still_stirrin
Master of Distillation
Posts: 10372
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by still_stirrin »

Good news. Thx.

Still would like to look at your system. We all want you to be safe.
ss
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
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

I can't upload pics. It says file is too big
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

I found an app for that. Lol sorry guys, I'm not a computer programmer or an electrician but I am a distiller!!
Attachments
image.jpg
Pastumpjumper
Novice
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:36 pm

Re: Help troubleshooting

Post by Pastumpjumper »

Control box
Attachments
image.jpg
Post Reply