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Confusing electrical issue with Heating Element

 
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brewmaster




Joined: 12 Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Location: Oscoda, MI


PostLink    Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:02 pm    Post subject: Confusing electrical issue with Heating Element Reply with quote


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Ok, so I have my system together finally, and everything works fine except for my heating element for the RIMS. I am using a Camco 5500W ultra low density element, and running it at 110V...however, it does not seem to work. I have 120V showing at the outlet, and at the wires for the connection to the element. When I actually connect the element, I no longer show any voltage accross the connections, even though the pilot light is illuminated. I thought it was the element, so I replaced it with a new one (same type), and have exactly the same problem.....I am lost ...any suggestions?
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brewmaster




Joined: 12 Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Location: Oscoda, MI


PostLink    Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 3:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The plot thickens....did a 2 second dry fire on the element with the supply chord directly into a home 110v outlet, and the element warms up (quickly), so it's not an element issue. I double checked all the wiring, and everything is wired correctly, it almost seems that even though there is voltage present...no current flow, yet the controller is set for 152, and ambient temp is 70, so I would expect something to happen. The SSR relay seems to be ok (brand new and switched to the known good elements in my boil circuit). I now suspect the PID (same model recommended by this site), it's all that is left. Anybody have ideas??
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're building something different from our standard setups documented on this website, but some of the principles are likely the same, most likely how the the following control flow works that you're having issues with:

PID -> SSR -> RELAY/CONTACTOR (assuming you have one) -> HEATING ELEMENT

To troubleshoot the above, see our HOW TO guide here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25460
Specifically the section "My heating element is not firing at all! (or firing continuously)"

Good luck!

Kal

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brewmaster




Joined: 12 Jan 2019
Posts: 31
Location: Oscoda, MI


PostLink    Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, problem solved...turns out...and for you electrical types I'm sure your going to say "duh...yeah", it was the wiring of the pilot light. Apparently it doesn't like to be in series with the rest of the circuit. As soon as I bypassed it, I had full control of the current to the element. This would not have been an issue had my original wiring had the light on the relay circuit, but since my relay was bad, I just wired the element direct with my on/off switch. Now I just need to figure out how to include the light until I get a new relay.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2019 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wire it in parallel with the element. See the wiring diagrams on our website:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-2?page=13

See the "HOW IT WORKS" section for details.

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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