Electrical Components Thread

[EarthBound]

This is a good idea for a thread. I suggest searching for local used electronic parts stores, like OEM Parts in Colorado Springs. That's where I bought almost every electrical component for my hybrid brewstand: the GFCI breaker, terminal blocks, terminal connectors, junction boxes, flexible conduit, receptacles and plugs, heat sinks, DC and AC fans, ASCO solenoid valves, the enclosure, lights and buzzer, transformers, all the different gauges of wire, all the different kinds of switches, all the different kinds of relays, etc. Notice that the only electrical components for my hybrid brewstand that I didn't mention are the PIDs, timer, RTDs, heating elements, and pumps. Because of shopping at OEM Parts, I saved hundreds of dollars compared to eBay, which is usually the second place I look for electronic parts.

 

[Bsquared]

Good point EarthBound,

Anyone in San Diego, Willy's electronics has lots of mounting components, XLR sockets, panel Cat-5 plugs, and relays for good prices.

 

[kal]

They shipped very quickly, and the breaker was clearly new and not a fake.

I'm not questioning the site you mention (I have no experience with them) but how could you possibly know it not fake? Companies like Pioneer Breaker (ebay name 'electrical_parts') made millions of dollars worth of fake breakers for years that had all the proper labelling on them. They looked identical and from what people could tell worked the same way too. They simply were not CSA/UL certified properly (fake stickers).

Kal

 

[EarthBound]

I'm not questioning the site you mention (I have no experience with them) but how could you possibly know it not fake? Companies like Pioneer Breaker (ebay name 'electrical_parts') made millions of dollars worth of fake breakers for years that had all the proper labelling on them. They looked identical and from what people could tell worked the same way too. They simply were not CSA/UL certified properly (fake stickers).

Kal

Do they say "Pioneer" on the breakers, or do they spoof breakers from Cutler-Hammer, Square D, etc?

 

[CidahMastah]

Do they say "Pioneer" on the breakers, or do they spoof breakers from Cutler-Hammer, Square D, etc?

Pioneer Breaker

http://www.pioneerbreaker.com/

they are a reseller.

All that said I have bought things from this company (not breakers) but contactors, pilot lights, enclosures, switches etc. And all have been good quality to date. The contactors I bought, 2 of them, have been in service for about 1.5 years or so. Still going.

Not saying Kal doesn't have a valid point, just pointing out I have had a good experience with this company for the components I listed above.

http://www.schneider-electric.us/documents/support/news-advertising/BreakersUnlimited.pdf

looks like square D was one of the faked breakers (not sure if breakers unlimited is associated with pioneer breaker).

But this is

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/uhhh-anyone-see-pioneer-breaker-287420/

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txwdce/1:2007cv00810/261401/194

 

[EarthBound]

Pioneer Breaker

http://www.pioneerbreaker.com/

they are a reseller.

All that said I have bought things from this company (not breakers) but contactors, pilot lights, enclosures, switches etc. And all have been good quality to date. The contactors I bought, 2 of them, have been in service for about 1.5 years or so. Still going.

Not saying Kal doesn't have a valid point, just pointing out I have had a good experience with this company for the components I listed above.

http://www.schneider-electric.us/documents/support/news-advertising/BreakersUnlimited.pdf

looks like square D was one of the faked breakers (not sure if breakers unlimited is associated with pioneer breaker).

But this is

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/uhhh-anyone-see-pioneer-breaker-287420/

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/texas/txwdce/1:2007cv00810/261401/194

Wow, that is some crazy ****... It's a good thing to have that information on this thread, IMO.

 

[CidahMastah]

Wow, that is some crazy ****... It's a good thing to have that information on this thread, IMO.

Yes it sure it. Luckily it looks like this took place circa 2007+ and has been resolved with a wrist slap late 2011/this year. However to Kal's point, you might want to look at another vendor for your square D breakers (and maybe other products). Which is hard to do with the killer deal they have through ebay for enclosures and free shipping on whatever fits in the enclosure.

 

[kal]

Sorry for the derail guys... my point wasn't to "out" Pioneer Breaker (there's been discussion about it in the past). It was to simply point out that even if you think something isn't fake, you really don't know.

Kal

 

[cscade]

I'm not questioning the site you mention (I have no experience with them) but how could you possibly know it not fake? Companies like Pioneer Breaker (ebay name 'electrical_parts') made millions of dollars worth of fake breakers for years that had all the proper labelling on them. They looked identical and from what people could tell worked the same way too. They simply were not CSA/UL certified properly (fake stickers).

Kal

Kal, you're right in that I can't positively verify the authenticity of what I received. What encouraged me to believe that the part is legitimate is just my overall impression, along with the fact that it arrived in a properly branded/printed matching box that identically matched the look and weight of the Homeline boxes I've received from brick and mortar sellers. I guess I would expect a counterfeit part to not have associated counterfeit packaging on a part like this, but perhaps I'm just being naive.

Either way, I hope I didn't get taken

 

[haeffnkr]

What are some sources for plastic enclosure panel boxes?

thanks Kevin

 

[lschiavo]

What are some sources for plastic enclosure panel boxes?

thanks Kevin

Good question! I can get a 12x12x6 for a little under $50. That is as a contractor. I think there has to be a better deal out there somewhere.

 

[bdjohns1]

Good question! I can get a 12x12x6 for a little under $50. That is as a contractor. I think there has to be a better deal out there somewhere.

I got a 12x12x6 gray PVC enclosure from my local Menard's for $33 or so. I had to get my own piece of sheet metal to use for the backplate, but that was only a few bucks more. That gave me enough room inside for 3 PID modules, the SSRs (external heat sink through holes), 2 relays for the single element selection, a main contactor, and all the usual selector switches with stacked contact blocks to support safe-start relay a la Kal. I mounted a 110 receptacle with in-use cover on one side for the pumps, and made a short run of watertight conduit to a pair of boxes for my element plugs. All fits ok.

 

[kzimmer0817]

I got a 12x12x6 gray PVC enclosure from my local Menard's for $33 or so. I had to get my own piece of sheet metal to use for the backplate, but that was only a few bucks more.

Where are y'all finding these boxes - whether PVC or Plastic? I just searched for Menards, and they aren't any farther south than Kentucky; I'm in Georgia. I've heard of folks getting them from Home Depot, but I can't find anything at mine.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[grandequeso]

If you're in Ga try. City Electric, Rexell, World Electric, or CED . All pretty common electrical supply houses in the southern states.

 

[cnorberg]

FWIW, this eBay seller has a few used enclosures (some are stainless!) for pretty reasonable prices. I just ordered a stainless enclosure similar to the one below w/o any extra holes and the backing plate for around $100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-S...130?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a8d991a

 

[bdjohns1]

You never know what you'll find at scrap dealers too. I know the guys in our electrical shop at work just scrapped a bunch of old enclosures from idle equipment. There were a few stainless enclosures in the load.

I found a stack light so my brew system can have some blinkenlights.

 

[Cacaman]

eBay seller 'mixtea' has some pretty good priced Chinese parts. For example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PID...179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab55f7633. Thats a KILLER DEAL as it includes the thermocouple with the 'deluxe cable'!

As tempting as it is.... I'm gonna stick with American made Auber Instruments

 

[lschiavo]

Good to see some activity here still. I thought this was dead. I hope the eBay links still work next time I'm in the market. Some good deals there.

 

[kzimmer0817]

I got a 12x12x6 gray PVC enclosure from my local Menard's for $33 or so. I had to get my own piece of sheet metal to use for the backplate, but that was only a few bucks more.

I was able to find the Carlon 989 PVC 12x12x6 box at Home Depot for $33+ and picked one up. To be honest, I'm getting "stage fright" about building the controller, though. I've been adding up the cost of what I will need and simply wondering if I should simply purchase the HBC-II along with one of those overpriced weldless elements from High Gravity and get brewing.

Thanks,
Keith

 

[milesvdustin]

I found the buzzer that is common for everyone from Auber, its one from China on Ebay. I paid 2.49 for it.

Seller name was coolcheapworld.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110778416577?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649


I also got a 40 amp ssr and heat sink (made in Taiwan, sold from china) for $8 shipped. Quite a deal if you ask me! That was also from ebay, don't recall the seller.

 

[Skodi]

Well I see some EBAY links for Heatsinks. If you dont mind not having the black anodized heat sink and your looking for decent priced ones I went to http://www.heatsinkusa.com. Ordered on a Thursday and received on the next Monday. Plenty of size options. I paid 28 bucks for a 6 by 10 that includes shipping.

 

[ryane]

Well I see some EBAY links for Heatsinks. If you dont mind not having the black anodized heat sink and your looking for decent priced ones I went to http://www.heatsinkusa.com. Ordered on a Thursday and received on the next Monday. Plenty of size options. I paid 28 bucks for a 6 by 10 that includes shipping.

I can back up this place, Ive ordered from them a couple times and they were great

As to the anodizing, its really easy to do yourself, just a couple things to find, most uncommon thing to have really is a rectifier(or as I used a battery charger)

For contactors Ive used this place, 11$ for a 40A/50A resistive contactor
http://www.ctcsupply.com/index.jsp?...qdx=0&ID=,Electrical,Contactors,120.Coil.Volt

For twist locks Ive found that the Marinco ones on ebay/amazon are 1/2 the cost of the hubbell, I was able to get a 50A cal standard 4wire flange and connectors for 65$ shipped

 

[Woodbrews]

Is this eBay seller a reliable source for 40amp SSR's with heatsinks?

Item here.

At $11.99 with free shipping, looks too good to be true.

 

[lschiavo]

Is this eBay seller a reliable source for 40amp SSR's with heatsinks?

Item here.

At $11.99 with free shipping, looks too good to be true.

I'd take a shot for that price. Even if the SSR gives you problems, you still have the sink.

 

[atoughram]

I'm gonna stick with American made Auber Instruments

Auber PID's are also made in China.

Thanks for the links guys! Those made up SO cords are great!

I havent seen Automation Direct yet - They have a little bit of everything.

http://www.automationdirect.com