stevehaun

Recipes 

For those of you that brew with an electric system, do you have a cooling fan in your control panel enclosure?
I have oversized SSRs (40 amp for a 4500 watt element) and generous heat sinks but I am pondering the addition of an 80 mm muffin fan to circulate air thru the enclosure.
Overkill? Can't hurt? Absolute necessity?

Brewing Clamper

Recipes 

In my "completely opposite from expert" opinion, I would say it can't hurt. When I get to the point of getting my control panel together, I'll probably put a small fan in there too... [/2¢]

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drez77

Recipes 

I do not have one in mine at the moment, but when i re-build my control box I will be putting a muffin fan in there for good measure.

Mike

bull8042

Recipes 

It would be a good idea. Cut the openings on the bottom, one for the fan and one for the vent. Make sure the fan is blowing into the enclosure to create a little positive pressure inside. It will be minimal, but will help prevent dust and moisture from entering around any leaks in the door or openings where the wiring enters.

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"I brew with a water cooler and some part from the toilet." - JohnnyO

"I do gravity feed the last gallon or two through my Therminator, but I expect you could suck start a Volkswagen before you could suck start one of these. - GilaMinumBeer

"..... Bull was right." - TXCurtis

Seabee John

Recipes 

It's not a bad idea, especially if you are enclosing an SSR. Many of them have heat sinks attached. It's also a good idea to pay attention to the mounting location of the panel. I end up with a large amount of heat from my rig contacting my panel (If I knew then what I know now...) At any rate, take the time to plan it well and if you incorporate a fan... what could the harm be? Maybe you can buy one of those cool computer fans with the blue or red LED's in them...

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North Saint Paul Brewshack
Kegged/Drinking:Nihilistic Integrity - Black IPA, #1 BIAB pale ale, Bells Two Hearted - yes a keg of the real stuff
Kegged/Conditioning:Wally N Seans Braggot, Emerald Eyes - Irish Red, Atomic Tsunami - brown
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