My Electric HERMS build w/ Brewtroller in charge - Page 3

xxdcmast · 04-09-2009, 02:10 PM

That looks pretty sweet. I have a few questions for you as I am in the process of building an electic HLT myself.

1. Did you use the 1500 w 120v element in your HLT?
2. How did you mount the screw in water heater element. Did you use one of the mounting brackets you can pick up from home depot or some other method?
3. What are the orange seals that you have around all of your connections?
4. Would it be possible to take a few more pictures showing where and how the element is mounted?

jcdillin · 04-09-2009, 02:21 PM

If you check out the bargainfittings parts page he has the 1" locknut and the silicone o-ring to install the water heat element.
To mount the water heater element you just drill a 1 1/4" inch hole and put the element through, then put on the silicone o-ring and then the locknut.

The orange seals are flat silicone sealing washers available from mcmaster

If you check out my build thread I have a few more pictures that may help you.

xxdcmast · 04-09-2009, 03:27 PM

So let me get this straight.

You take the locknut put it inside the keg with the silicone o ring against the keg. From the outside you dont put anything other than just screwing the element in?

jcdillin · 04-09-2009, 03:34 PM

Yup you got it, the water heat elements have a gasket that comes on them so the outside is sealed somewhat. But most of the sealing is done by the o-ring on the inside of the keg.

Actually most of the weldless kits are that way, they seal better when the o-ring or sealing washer is just on the inside.

xxdcmast · 04-09-2009, 04:10 PM

So now for the internal did you use an O ring or a sealing washer. I would think the sealing washer might work better for this purpose.

jcdillin · 04-09-2009, 04:15 PM

Well on my system I used all sealing washers because I could never get the o-rings to seal. But they don't make a sealing washer that big for the water heater element and that is the only one on the system that seals perfectly everytime.

On my thread I have the mcmaster part numbers for the flat sealing washers if you are making your own weldless sets.

xxdcmast · 04-09-2009, 05:06 PM

I definitely think I will give it a shot. The only thing I may change is to inset the element from the bottom rather than the side. I think coming up from the center should heat more evenly that going in from the side.

Also the flat area on the bottom seems like it would make a better seal than the curved side.

Once I start getting my equipment together do you mind if I shoot you PM's if I have questions?

jcdillin · 04-09-2009, 06:01 PM

Coming up from the bottom is for sure easier because of the flat spot, but you have to watch out because you will expose your element much quicker than with it mounted horizontal and then you'll end up with a ruined element. Might be worth investing in a float switch or something to shut down the element if the water gets to a certain point.

For sure PM anytime.

xxdcmast · 04-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Im guessing by exposing the element you mean by having boil off and part of the element contacting the air?

If I were just using this for a HLT couldnt I just switch off the element before I begin draining into the MLT.

jcdillin · 04-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Yup you could do that, just during my brew day it never fails I know I would do something like leave it on while I was pumping into my MLT and dry fire it.