PJ Diagram Question

I am looking at building a electric hybird setup where my boil kettle will either be propane or natural gas and the HLT will be electric with a RIMS for the Mash Tun.

I was looking at this diagram:


And I was wondering if I still needed a 30 amp outlet if I change one of the 5500w elements to a 1500 or 2000w for a RIMS.

The setup will have 2 pumps as well. I am undecided as to which controller I will pick yet but I am leaning toward the brewtroller over the BCS. I want a controller rather then the PIDs because I like the web interface with the controllers.

Any help would be great.

thedude123 said:

I was wondering if I still needed a 30 amp outlet if I change one of the 5500w elements to a 1500 or 2000w for a RIMS.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes

A 240 volt 5500 watt element will pull 23-25 amps on its own.

5500 and a 2000 when run at the same time (Even if both are at 50%) will pull between 32 and 34 amps.

That system is designed to only allow one element at a time to fire. That's why it can have (2) 5500 watt elements on a single 30 amp circuit.

Ok cool so I can basically just use this exact diagram.

How big of a contactor and ssr would I need for a 1500-2000 watt element?

Also would I just change the position 7 switch to an on/off switch so I would be able to run the both elements at once?

thedude123 said:

Ok cool so I can basically just use this exact diagram.

How big of a contactor and ssr would I need for a 1500-2000 watt element?

Also would I just change the position 7 switch to an on/off switch so I would be able to run the both elements at once?

Click to expand...

You can use that exact diagram. But you can't run both elements at once - That would be 7500 watts and pull 32 amps. You only have 30 available.

Volts * Amps = Watts,
So Watts / Volts = Amps
So 1500 / 240 = 6.25 Amps
And 2000 / 240 = 8.4 Amps
You could run a 4500 ish watt element and a 2000 watt element together: 6500 / 240 = 27 Amps
But you'll be running awefully close to the rated limit of your system, and risk popping the breaker.

Ok so a 20a SSR should be good for the RIMS.

Thinking back there is no reason I would need to run both elements at once.

I could run one element and 1 pump at the same time correct?

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

thedude123 said:

Ok so a 20a SSR should be good for the RIMS.

Thinking back there is no reason I would need to run both elements at once.

I could run one element and 1 pump at the same time correct?

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Click to expand...

Yep - that would be about 25 amps.

What gauge wire should be used for this?

thedude123 said:

What gauge wire should be used for this?

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You always want to round up. If you feel you will be using 25 amps you need cable capable of carrying a 30 amp load. In this situation it is 10 awg. I have about 900 feet of 10-3 romex if your interested, ill give you a good deal on the length you need.... pm me if your interested
kosmo