110 Volt Electric Controller Help

[O'Mahony]

I would be grateful for some advise regarding a 110 volt electric controller build. My intent / hope is to operate a pony keg on a 15 amp circuit. I realize that warm up may be slow... I have on hand a PSR-25 with a pot and heat sink and other basic material for this build.

The 220v 1ph schematic I have found shows both 110v legs, one of which directly terminates on one side of the heat element and the schematic shows the other power leg going thru the PSR to the other side of the heat element. With a 110v circuit having a single power leg and a neutral, how would I wire?

My instincts are that the wire up is the same as a 220 volt circuit and the 110v neutral going directly to one side of the heat element and the power leg going thru the PSR to the other side of the element ??? Also what size of water heater element would best accommodate this build criteria? Thanks in advance for any help with these questions. O'Mahony

ps....I have made an attempt at forum reading on this topic with the needed slant on 110 volt with no success.

[Prairiepiss]

You are correct hot through the psr and neutral to the other side of the element. And ground to all metal cases. Including the boiler.

As far as the element. I would recommend a 5500w 220v ultra low density. The wavy one. Run this on 110v and its 1375w. But I don't know what kind of still you will be using? I know pony keg. But didn't say what still head? The 1375w would be plenty for a pot still. But not enough for a reflux still. But even a 1500w 110v element mite not be enough for a reflux still? Mine ran better above 1500w more like 2000w. You van read about that in my thread in the new distiller reading lounge. About my two element 110v harbor freight router controller setup. It was what I started with.

[O'Mahony]

Thanks prairiepiss ,

I appreciate your reply. The unit is a double reducer reflux column that has a 36" packable 2" column. I am resigned to trying this column on a 110 volt circuit and if I have to I will modify it to operate 220 1ph. Running this column on propane takes little heat once it finds equilibrium....... So I am hopeful...smile. I started an ancient thread showing this build and I will post the results of this electric conversion in an effort to add to the forums data base.

Again Prairiepiss, I appreciate your input and I am also happy to entertain any other responses regarding thoughts on this effort. Thx O'Mahony

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[jholmz]

i have been looking at converting to electric myself and above prairie says that it would run better around 2000w like me i have to go with a 110v element due to the unavailability of 220 where i need it ive been shopping around and have found a 110v 2000w water heater element at menards for little $$$ have also seen them online at decent prices dont know if this will help or not hope it does. and if this wont work let me know so i dont buy one myself i dont run a reflux just a 15.5 keg potstill and im gonna get the stilldragon diy controller says it works for both 110 and 220 again hope this helps dont mean to jack your thread

[Prairiepiss]

A 110v 2000w element will pull a little over 18 amps. Most house circuits are 15 amp. GFCI circuits are suppose to be 20 amp. But some are just added into existing 15 amp circuits. So they should be checked.