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teach · 10-04-2009, 02:47 AM

I've finally assembled all the parts (I think) to build my electric HLT in a 10-gallon Rubbermaid cooler. I've got a 120V 1500W element.

However, before I get too far into this, I've got a question. What do I do with the ground wire? I'm planning to do like The Pol and connect the black and white wires to the element inside a piece of PVC and then fill it with JB Weld to pot it, but I'd sure like to know I have a functioning ground.

I promise not to hold anyone liable for their advice if it doesn't work and I electrocute myself during testing!

-g-

**nebben** · 10-04-2009, 04:18 AM

If you have the element sticking up through the bottom of the cooler, you'll need the ground touching something that is inside the cooler. I believe this is why it is recommended to put a copper "washer" type piece between the nut and the bottom of the cooler, so that your ground wire can be squished sufficiently between the two, and the nut/copper washer provide an adequate grounded surface inside the tank.

I hope this makes sense. You want good, permanent contact between the ground wire and some metal inside the tank.

**Bobby_M** · 10-04-2009, 01:51 PM

The idea is to have the water inside the cooler grounded so if hot was somehow exposed to the water, the path to ground wouldn't be the brewer's arm.

**wilserbrewer** · 10-04-2009, 03:29 PM

here is one way to do it

http://www.wortomatic.com/articles/The-Electric-HLT-(or-how-I-built-a-water-heater-in-a-cooler)

cutting out that copper plate seems like a hassle to me, I would probably just wrap a piece of stranded copper wire aound the heat stick against the lug that will be sandwiched upon assembly. I have seen others drill and tap a small hole in the element lug and attach a ground wire that way as well.

teach · 10-04-2009, 07:53 PM

Okay, that all makes perfect sense. I actually picked up an extra copper "washer" when I was getting the rest of the parts, so I think I'm good to go. Thanks to all three of you!

-g-

dobeluvr · 10-04-2009, 08:22 PM

You could just run the ground wire to the piping for the valve that drains the hlt, if it is metal. Depending on piping location vs element location, it may not be as visually appealing tho.