E-HLT dry fire pic

Duckfoot · Nov 11, 2011

Transferring strike water to MLT, walked away without turning off my E-HLT element... After strike water filled MLT, we heard a loud pop, saw a bright flash and then heard some sizzling noise...

This is what was left of my element:

Be careful kids... We almost lost a few eyebrows that day...

:mug:

samc · Nov 11, 2011

Sorry to see.

You need a float switch, which reminds me that I have to install mine one of these days. They are cheap from McMaster.

passedpawn · Nov 11, 2011

Duckfoot said:
Transferring strike water to MLT, walked away without turning off my E-HLT element... After strike water filled MLT, we heard a loud pop, saw a bright flash and then heard some sizzling noise...

Youch. Thanks for posting. I've done about 50 batches on my electric system without one of these failures, but I know it's waiting for me.

kpr121 · Nov 11, 2011

I did a similar thing, but I accidently plugged in my HLT plug instead of my pond pump for chilling. When I walked over to see why the pond wasnt running, I heard the pop and saw the smoke.

bigljd · Nov 11, 2011

Thanks for sharing!

Note to self...when testing the new E-rig I'm building, make sure there's water in the kettle before firing up the element.

I might have to think about a float switch too - I could see myself doing that.

Psych · Nov 11, 2011

Sorry for your loss, but this is good to actually see what happens, so thanks for posting a pic!

wilserbrewer · Nov 11, 2011

samc said:
Sorry to see.

You need a float switch, which reminds me that I have to install mine one of these days. They are cheap from McMaster.

Or a ULWD element, i have heard they survive dry firing?

Lucky_Chicken · Nov 11, 2011

aww... you let the magic electric smoke out... good luck getting it back in there

at least electric elements arent too expensive

Duckfoot · Nov 11, 2011

It actually "melted" to the point that it just sagged onto my thermometer stem... Not a tragedy, but still a little unnerving none the less...

The new element (3800w vs 4500w) is already in production...

I have heard the ULWD elements don't burn up, but I don't think that is something I want to try...

Poor Nealf is still a little gun shy of walking next to my rig...

kevink · Nov 11, 2011

Is that an orange silicone o-ring between the inside keg wall and the lock nut? Do you have another one between the element hex and the outside of the keg?

Duckfoot · Nov 12, 2011

kevink said:
Is that an orange silicone o-ring between the inside keg wall and the lock nut? Do you have another one between the element hex and the outside of the keg?

Yeah... The locknut and o-ring were from Bargain Fittings and I used the o-ring that came with the element on the outside...

bigljd · Nov 12, 2011

Duckfoot said:
Yeah... The locknut and o-ring were from Bargain Fittings and I used the o-ring that came with the element on the outside...

I ordered the same nut/o-ring from Bargainfittings but haven't mounted the elements yet. Do you have a gang box on the outside of the keggle (Kal's design)? I'm just wondering if the element threads are long enough to use both an o-ring on the inside and the outside of the keggle and go through the gang box cover.
I like the idea of using both o-rings but don't know if it's possible.

noremorse1 · Nov 12, 2011

This is the element you need. It will not burn up: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002YU2YS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Duckfoot · Nov 12, 2011

bigljd said:
I ordered the same nut/o-ring from Bargainfittings but haven't mounted the elements yet. Do you have a gang box on the outside of the keggle (Kal's design)? I'm just wondering if the element threads are long enough to use both an o-ring on the inside and the outside of the keggle and go through the gang box cover.
I like the idea of using both o-rings but don't know if it's possible.

Here is mine:

Just a element thru with a locknut inside...

passedpawn · Nov 12, 2011

Duckfoot said:
Here is mine:

Just a element thru with a locknut inside...

Those crimped unions are killing me. Did you consider running a 30A cord into the epoxy (JB Weld) cast you have there?

Duckfoot · Nov 12, 2011

Hey, at least I ran the ground to the keg skirt... LOL

Those are the heat shrink type crimps and I did end up shrink wrapping everything to try to keep it all nice and dry... Also have a GCFI on that circuit at the box...

The new element wiring is run directly into the coupler with the epoxy in it... Will take some pics of the new one when it is complete...

E-HLT dry fire pic

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