DIY (sorta) HLT

Catch-22 · 09-24-2009, 08:08 PM

Hello, I have this 7 gal turkey fryer http://www.turkey-fryers-online.com/masterbuilt/setftv_turkey_fryer_kits.htm. I'm wanting to use it as my HLT and my question is this. I would like to replace the inaccurate dial thermometer with with the digital one in the link below. I've removed the probe and wondering how to wire it to the existing water tight leads and bypass the dial all together. My goal is to be able to raise or lower my temp through the digital thermometer and be precise, rather than turning a knob. Set and forget so to speak.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-equipment/testing-measuring/thermometers/digital-cooking-thermometer-timer-clock.html

Is this possible? Here is what the back of the control unit looks like and the various wires. In the final pic you can see the metal wires from the therm probe coming off and spitting. Sorry I'm not too keen on this electrical work. I can provide more pics if necessary.
Troy

**Bobby_M** · 09-24-2009, 08:23 PM

It sounds like you want to be able to dial in the temp of the water which will require more than a remote probe thermometer. You need a temp controller like a Ranco.

**IrregularPulse** · 09-24-2009, 08:26 PM

ditto, and the reason why is
you need something with an output that can handle the amperage of your heating device that is programmable to kick on when below a certain temperature. Your thermometer is an input only device with a very low amperage circuit.

I just bought THIS to build what you're wanting to build.
Along wiht a 1500W Hot water HEater element and the various odds and ends needed to hook it all together and mount to my HLT Cooler.

Foamenter · 09-24-2009, 08:28 PM

The digital thermometer is just that, a thermometer. You're trying to replace the thermostat, so what you want is a digital temperature controller(thermostat.)

Something like this-

http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc111000000-digital-temperature-controller-p-86.html

I'm not saying that is the specific one to use, I'll let someone with more experience using these make recommendations on which model.

Good luck on this project!!

**IrregularPulse** · 09-24-2009, 08:34 PM

Thats the one in my "THIS" link and will work for an heating device up to 15-16 amps.

**humann_brewing** · 09-24-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrregularPulse

ditto, and the reason why is
you need something with an output that can handle the amperage of your heating device that is programmable to kick on when below a certain temperature. Your thermometer is an input only device with a very low amperage circuit.

I just bought THIS to build what you're wanting to build.
Along wiht a 1500W Hot water HEater element and the various odds and ends needed to hook it all together and mount to my HLT Cooler.

I'd be interested in your build. I think a lot of my propane goes to my HLT and it would be nice to have that turned into electric.

Catch-22 · 09-24-2009, 09:24 PM

I figured as much. I was just wondering whether the dial could be bypassed using the existing thermostat. Understandable. Thanks all

**IrregularPulse** · 09-25-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humann_brewing

I'd be interested in your build. I think a lot of my propane goes to my HLT and it would be nice to have that turned into electric.

I'll be posting pics when I'm done. But ThePol has already done it with a very nice write up check out his thread.