Got any ideas on 220v temp control

[trthskr4]

Guys I'm trying to build a bigger electric mashing pot without the element inside the boiler. I'm going to use an electric range element and am trying to figure out how to regulate the temp in the inner boiler. I thought about an oven regulator but didn't want the hassle of the controller board. I'm kind of stuck in coming up with some ideas on how to do this without having to cut holes in my pots as the price of them has gone through the roof around here. Any one know of a 220v temperature regulation device which has a range of say 110*F-200*F and has a thermocouple that can be inserted into the liquid in the boiler?

[Tater]

Sure go to a refrigeration parts house and get a tstat in that range johnson control makes a good one . I would use it to control a contactor and let contactor handle the voltage .They have a copper bulb with 8 foot copper lead could mount about anywhere it can seance temp.

[decoy]

Here are some various controllers i have, i thought i had mechanical one like tater mentioned as well but its in a junk heap somwhere.
i got most of these from a equipment and plant recycling yards i frequant.


a thermostat controller will turn the element on full power untill the temp is reached, this could result in scorching on the bottom, if this is a problem You might want to consider a triac controller that you can turn right down so it pulses the element on and off and is controlable to very low temps.

you could try useing a normal range or stove top controller with a lower power element, if the temp is still to hot by placing a 16 guage wire mesh inbetween the element and pot it will lower the amount of heat and distribute it.

the controler looks like the black and white ones in picture top far right.

cheers.

[trthskr4]

Thanks guys, I had totally hit a mental wall. Decoy are those controllers available at a parts house or specially designed for commercial use?

[decoy]

i think its tater or pintoshine that sell a triac controller, you can put together very simply that i think will suit you to.

but all the ones pictured are available from counter..

try Farnell components, RS Componenets
or look for places that do Process controll
id be googling a used factory equipment yard or a large scrap metal yards..

cheers..

[trthskr4]

Decoy, Ebay has a shit-load of temp controllers and I know absolutely nothing about the functions. Most seem designed to keep things under a certain temp. I want to keep it at or above the temp of 185*F, any suggestions on a model to look for or will they all work for my purpose? Any particular SSR that I should get as far as reliability as I've used some that are junk and don't last long under high amp loads.

[myles]

Virtually all the temperature controllers that you can get from the various outlets that sell cooker spares etc are NO GOOD for the application we are using.

They all work in the same way as a flasher unit on your car indicator lights. They turn the full power on / off but it is typically on a 15 to 30 second cycle.

Pintoshine has a triac controller kit that is a dead easy to put together and works a treat. Highly recommended.

[Dnderhead]

I have to disagree with some of this, he is talking about mashing witch is not as critical as as running the still.

[myles]

OOPS!! Well spotted. Not concentrating properly as I should have seen that myself. Will do the decorating I promised SWMBO as a penance.