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I run my 15 gal keg with propane right now and am considering going electric. Why does every one build a controller? http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000W-220V-SCR ... 1e753a76ef" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow That one on ebay is half the price of building one and says it would handle the power needed. Should I look into building my own or would this one suffice?

Yes, you can buy this regulator and build a controller using it. If your heating element more than 5000W you will need bigger heatsink or use a fan. It also recomended to add voltmeter or/and ammeter. Also you need to have proper housing and do proper wiring.

So to turn this into a good controller I would need a good housing, a gauge to determine the power, and better cooling and I would be set? If so that sounds a lot cheaper than trying to build a some other controller

holliday wrote:So to turn this into a good controller I would need a good housing, a gauge to determine the power, and better cooling and I would be set?

Basically - yes. And don't forget , your wires should be adequate to your amperage.

Well I'm a bit away from doing it. I have to get a 240v outlet installed so I can power this thing. Thanks for the replies

I am also intrerested in going away from propane... I also have a fifteen gal still.. where you going to do a single or duel element in yours?

Thanks Jar

I was going to do a single element I believe. For simplicity.

Just haven't figured the size. Is there a benefit to two elements?

Just quicker heat up times

I was thinking a 4500 element. Not sure though.

holliday wrote:I was thinking a 4500 element. Not sure though.

4500w element on 220v is plenty and will do nicely for you.

Would that give me enough power if I decide to put a flute on this keg at some time.

Yes it would.

So I went electric and Thanks mule kicker for the help.. I ran 10 gallons of sweet feed for a finishing run and what a difference! my still head temp never when over 190 but it defaintly ran the coarse through all the stages.. the run time was a bit more but I slowed the output down to a very slow rate.. over all really awesome.. Single 5500 watt element and controller. how did you make out with your controller project?

Jar

Jar, just curious as to what controller you used on your 5500 element? Getting ready to do same and Mr. Piss has been advising me on my column. Thanks in advace for any help or ideas. Also where did you get controller?

Matteaux

holliday wrote:Well I'm a bit away from doing it. I have to get a 240v outlet installed so I can power this thing. Thanks for the replies

I see you say you need a 240v outlet, but the controllers max input is 220v I'm new to this but wouldn't the extra 10-20v fry it?

I'm half way through building a ssr controller but this looks like a good back up of something goes wrong with a bit of work!

Livetoride wrote:

holliday wrote:Well I'm a bit away from doing it. I have to get a 240v outlet installed so I can power this thing. Thanks for the replies

I see you say you need a 240v outlet, but the controllers max input is 220v I'm new to this but wouldn't the extra 10-20v fry it?

I'm half way through building a ssr controller but this looks like a good back up of something goes wrong with a bit of work!

No it won't.
US voltages are 115 +or- 5 so between 110 and 120 vac.
230 +or- 10 so between 220 and 240 vac.

Matteaux wrote:Jar, just curious as to what controller you used on your 5500 element? Getting ready to do same and Mr. Piss has been advising me on my column. Thanks in advace for any help or ideas. Also where did you get controller?

Matteaux

He said mulekicker. So he got it from mulekicker. He is a member here that builds and sells controllers. You van find an add in the classified section.

Thanks Piss. Sent you a private message too again about column length if you get a second. Thanks again will look up mule kicker
Matteaux

Mattauex, mule built mine. I just didnt know enough about the wiring side of it.... did two spirts runs on corn and sweet feed and it looks like the copper is disolving from the inside of the pot colume.. looks like copper metalic paint flim on the inside of it??? wtf ?? ive run it many times before on propane no prob but now I'm thinking i need to chuck out my last two runs.. The only thing thats differnt is the element.. suggestions anyone? 3" pot colume made of 110 muli purpose copper .027 thick from mcmaster carr

Jar

Boy Im not sure, I have run several sweet feed runs as well on my original wimpy column but with propane as well. Deductive reasoning would tell you the element if thats the only difference. How is it attached? Did you weld on a fitting? Screw in on? What type of screws, washers etc. Is the film in you product or pot? I wish I knew more to help but the more advanced guys are going to need to chime in. If you run you stuff through a couplel coffee filters does it clear up? Just throwing ideas out there.

Matteaux

just in the colume base and in the bottom of the pot.. i had set it up to go either way (propane or electric) when i build it months ago... so all I did is clamp it together. nothing else..

The controller and element work perfectlly so it not like there not functioning properlly. Just dont know what happend.. Im going to start a new thead on it...

Thanks Jar

By chance have you guys read the new thread I posted on " my copper dissoliving" just wondering.... how has everthig worked out for you?