SSR Heat sink

So I finally got my thermocoupler to complete my RIMS system and was testing it's capabilities. I was amazed at how hot the SSR heat sink was getting, running constantly. I don't know the life span of these things, but thought THAT can't help it. So I remembered the salvage computer I had that I got the power supply fan and neodemyte magnets for my stir plate. I also saved the CPU heat sink/fan. So I grabbed it, hooked it up to a phone charger, attached to SSR heat sink and plugged it in. Man did it make a difference. The SSR heat sink went from hot to touch to cool in a few minutes. Might not be necessary but thought I would share. Cheers!

Nice re-use/re-purposing! BTW, based on what I've read they're definitely necessary and as you mentioned, going without a heatsink can significantly reduce an SSR's lifespan.

Just a tip if you ever plan on more SSR's, I use three SSR's on my HERMS system and had a hard time finding a heatsink that was the right size and didn't cost an arm and a leg. I went with one from Extruded Aluminum Heatsinks from HeatSinkUSA Their prices seem very reasonable and they have quite a few length/width options (that's what she said). The only con I could find was they aren't anodized but so far that hasn't been a problem.

microbusbrewery said:

Nice re-use/re-purposing! BTW, based on what I've read they're definitely necessary and as you mentioned, going without a heatsink can significantly reduce an SSR's lifespan.

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Duh, I just noticed you said you were already using a heatsink and that you added another heatsink and fan to supplement the cooling. I was thinking you originally went without a heatsink, sorry for the confusion. Again, nice idea going with the fan and additional heatsink. Looks like the combo really helped dissipate the heat!

I can't really tell anything by your pictures. Maybe it's because I'm not a premium member and can't click on them or something? Too small.

What heatsink were you using before?

iijakii said:

I can't really tell anything by your pictures. Maybe it's because I'm not a premium member and can't click on them or something? Too small.

What heatsink were you using before?

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Sorry crappy phone pics. The pyramid heat sink is the 25A one from Auber. The heat sink/fan attached to the bottom is from the CPU out of a salvage computer. I'll try to take some better pics.

microbusbrewery said:

Nice re-use/re-purposing! BTW, based on what I've read they're definitely necessary and as you mentioned, going without a heatsink can significantly reduce an SSR's lifespan.

Just a tip if you ever plan on more SSR's, I use three SSR's on my HERMS system and had a hard time finding a heatsink that was the right size and didn't cost an arm and a leg. I went with one from Extruded Aluminum Heatsinks from HeatSinkUSA Their prices seem very reasonable and they have quite a few length/width options (that's what she said). The only con I could find was they aren't anodized but so far that hasn't been a problem.

<img src="https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41927"/>

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Yeah if I ever add some I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.