StillSmart

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-05T17:02:59+00:00

I just built a power controller which seems to be working OK.

Bought one of those cheap ebay 4000W SSR 'dimmers' and a panel mounted AC ammeter from a German company (via ebay again). The SSR was £6, meter £4 and a mains socket for £2 from ASDA I think. I used a blown PC power supply for the case and fan. The fan is powered by an old mobile phone charger fitted inside the case. Ammeter is wired to the input side of the SSR so it shows the current drawn.

Tested on my Burco boiler (2500w or so) for 3 hours no problem. Couldn't detect any warmth in the air drawn by the fan, so the SSR doesn't seem to be getting particularly hot.

Pretty chuffed for a tenner

Statistics: Posted by DeskJockey — Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:02 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-04T18:18:07+00:00

Hi Aidanmac
The threads are BSP on the 2 elements they sent me.
Regards
RM

Statistics: Posted by Runningman — Mon Mar 04, 2013 6:18 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-04T07:37:48+00:00

Thanks for the info RM I've sent them an email to find out if the threads are BSP or NPT I'll let you know what they say as this would affect the usefulness of the element on this side of the pond.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:37 am

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-03T22:53:51+00:00

Runningman wrote:
Hi again Aidamac
Just checked it out. 3500 wat immersion £11.16 Postage to UK £9.93
Total £21.09. Hope this clarifies. They do different wattages.
Regards
Runningman

aidanmac is in ireland not uk runningman

Statistics: Posted by Magnu420 — Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:53 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-03T22:48:36+00:00

Hi again Aidamac
Just checked it out. 3500 wat immersion £11.16 Postage to UK £9.93
Total £21.09. Hope this clarifies. They do different wattages.
Regards
Runningman

Statistics: Posted by Runningman — Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:48 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-03-03T22:36:02+00:00

Hi Aidanmac
I thought the postage was OK. Im sure its only 9 or 10$ for the postage to UK. Check it out again I think you will find the postage a lot cheaper than it says on the header page.
regards
Runningman

Statistics: Posted by Runningman — Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:36 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-28T07:11:06+00:00

Thanks RM, pity about the postage cost from US.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:11 am

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-27T23:39:26+00:00

Hi Aidenmac
Have a look at these immersion heaters. Realy good price
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270752174860? ... 1438.l2649
Regards
Runningman

Statistics: Posted by Runningman — Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:39 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-27T09:09:24+00:00

That's the business!

Even though my current model is working fine I've ordered 2 - futureproofing!

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:09 am

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-21T14:37:28+00:00

I have just stumbled on this set up, it looks very straightforward and takes away any doubt as to which type of Potentiometer to use and how to wire it up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-KYOTTO-AC-S ... 0617185%26

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Thu Feb 21, 2013 2:37 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-20T20:34:09+00:00

In full VM mode I found it particularly useful to have the boil time shortened because of the long runtime for a 40lt charge in reflux. Not so important in Pot mode but nice to get product flowing that bit quicker anyway.

I paid 14Euros for my 2Kw element and 21Euros for the 3Kw one so not really much difference there. In use the extra power used to get to boil isn't even 1Kw so not really a huge extra cost.

Also, if I'm heating water for a new wash I can get 50lt of water to 35oC in about 15 minutes - that's a good time saving.

All-in-all I think it was worth it for me.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Feb 20, 2013 8:34 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-18T22:47:55+00:00

Thanks AM. As running time is not critical for me (plenty of time on my hands these days) it would appear that I should save the cash I would have spent on a new element and invest it in more grain for my washes. Am I right? Cheers, SW

Statistics: Posted by StillWaters — Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:47 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-18T08:49:00+00:00

The only difference/advantage to a higher power element is in getting the wash up to temp for evaporation of the alcohol as quickly as possible. Once the still reaches that temp the power is going to be turned down to control the rate of evaporation. On a slow spirit run that time saving at the startup can make a real difference to the overall run time.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:49 am

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-17T22:29:46+00:00

All good AM. Do you think that even though I get a slower boil for the stripping run, there will be a need to upgrade the element? Does a faster boil make that much difference? Cheers, SW

Statistics: Posted by StillWaters — Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:29 pm

Re: Power Controllers

2013-02-17T09:46:32+00:00

I run a 3Kw element in one of my boilers and my controller has an SSR mounted on a heat sink which is cooled by a small PC cooling fan. This setup has never even got warm inside

However, the enclosure for mine is a good bit bigger, not necessarily by design but more so I could fit everything in comfortably and still get at each component if I needed to.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:46 am