Airstill Wattage

[Robbo79]

Hi all, just wondering why are people using a controller to lower the airstill wattage, what does this acheive?

[John51]

A much better quality product and practically zero chance of it puking.

imo lower wattage is a must if you are going to run the airstill unattended.

[Richy]

what is the best way to drop the wattage?

[John51]

I use one of these plus a power meter to let me know how much I've dropped it to.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221073571670? ... 1439.l2649

[Normski]

Hi john

Thats a nice neat inexpensive conroller. My only worry is that it states max 300w. The airstill is 320w.
Have you had any problems with it.

As you already have one, Maybe you could be our test pilot. Please keep us informed on how this goes as if its reliable it could be a useful bit of kit.
Norm

[Normski]

Hi John
I wondered how many watts were used by the boiler and the fan seperately, as im sure you would be using the controller on just the boiler and keeping the fan at full speed.
My airstill measured at 336w complete. 311w just the boiler and 19w just the fan unit.
So the boiler on its own is still more than the max rated 300w for that controller.
Im interested how your getting on with it. or is there one that can handle over 340w.

[John51]

My airstill is 320w full power with the fan another 20w.

The dimmer gets a little bit warm but nowhere near as hot as some modems/routers I've had.

I run the airstill full power for an hour to heat up then wind it down to ~150/160w. I've yet to do a stripping run, as in collect 1500ml but I'm confident the dimmer will be ok.

e2a: the fan is powered by a separate socket, not the dimmer.

[Normski]

Hi John

Thanks, That sounds good. I think im gonna have to get one of these and give it a go.
Yeah I guess it doesnt need to running through the dimmer while its full power anyway.

Actually, I always heat up my low wines in a Cheapo Kettle then pour it into the airstill. Heating up time is a few minutes. Spirit is running in another 8 mins.

Norm

[Richy]

I think ill give this ago aswell.

Norm the lady that works in my local HBS in middlesbrough said she has a customer that comes in and does the exact same thing as what you do! what a brill idea lol

[John51]

I already had a diy power controller (up to 2.6Kw) but it's an ugly thing being housed in a scrap computer power supply case. So I got the little one just because it looks cute.