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**CidahMastah** · 06-10-2011, 07:31 PM

OK - so I am a bit confused, and getting annoyed at the lack of reliability of my electric set up.

So to follow up, I just hooked it all back up and the GFI is not tripping. However the element is not firing either. So shame on me for throwing the other one out.

I used a multimeter and I am getting 70v ac at the hots on the 240 outlet. Previously I measured this and was getting 238v ac.

I noticed it appears my SSR is not illuminating the red diode on it. So I am about to replace the SSR to see if that is the issue.

Any suggestions? I have to say, this electric unit is costing more than the perceived convenience.

Thanks gents,

**Walker** · 06-10-2011, 07:54 PM

Sounds like what I suspected. SSR stuck in the off position.

There is some current that leaks through them when they are off so you get weird voltage readings with a meter.

Use you meeter to verify that the PID is sending out a proper dc control signal though.

SSR could be fine and PID having problems.

**CidahMastah** · 06-10-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

Sounds like what I suspected. SSR stuck in the off position.

There is some current that leaks through them when they are off so you get weird voltage readings with a meter.

Use you meeter to verify that the PID is sending out a proper dc control signal though.

SSR could be fine and PID having problems.

Thanks walker - just put in a new ssr and retested with the multimeter. So new SSR yielded 238v ac at the outlet as before. i.e. I assume bad SSR.

So that leads to the next question. Why did the SSR fail? Should I be looking for a better quality SSR?

Have to admit that I am a bit annoyed by the failures of the H/W. Tell me to eat lima beans and I will. Interpretation... tell me the part to buy that will be reliable and I will buy it. I got into the electric game for consistent, worry free reliable

**Walker** · 06-10-2011, 08:13 PM

Don't know what to tell you man. I used my system for a year before I ever had a problem with it, and that was really a self-inflicted wound.

**CidahMastah** · 06-10-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

Don't know what to tell you man. I used my system for a year before I ever had a problem with it, and that was really a self-inflicted wound.

Could be bad luck - I certainly don't hold anyone accountable but myself. Just disapointed right about now. Guess it is time to order a back up SSR,.

Thanks for tuning in though. This project has helped me understand a lot about electric. Hopefully that isn't all I get out of this exercise.

Maybe I brew too much

**Walker** · 06-10-2011, 08:19 PM

what SSRs are you using? Chinese ebay?

**CidahMastah** · 06-10-2011, 08:23 PM

yup... these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Solid-State-Relay-SSR-5-220V-DC-40A-Heat-Sink-/160460025318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255c29 ade6

Glad I bought a spare

If you have a better one in mind - I would certainly consider it

bruin_ale · 06-10-2011, 08:24 PM

I'm using the chinese ebay SSR and I think alot of other folks are also since you can buy 4 for the cost of a single one from America (that's probably still built in China anyways).

In any case, they are much more likely to fail if you heat stress them. Be sure you're using a good thermal conductor between them and the heat sink. If your heat sink sink doesn't get warm, I'd worry that you're not conducting enough heat away from the SSR. Vice versa is also true, if the heat sink gets too hot to touch you're not moving air off it fast enough. If I recall, you used this setup for a while without a fan. That could have contributed to a premature failure of the SSR.

**Walker** · 06-10-2011, 08:24 PM

is that REALLY the right link? That one is for a DC output SSR.

**CidahMastah** · 06-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

is that REALLY the right link? That one is for a DC output SSR.

No I just googled real quick - mine is AC which one are you guys using?

Bruin - I never used the sink without thermal grease. I did put a fan on it later and used a ghetto rigged fan on the frist one when I temped the sink at 190F with a laser temp gun