kmudrick
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I recently bought a Blichmann BoilCoil, but I'm having trouble piecing everything together besides the BC itself to actually safely operate it.
I bought the 10 gallon 240v version. I live in an apartment. This is the main reason I need to switch to electric brewing; no space/option for outdoor propane burners any more (and using an 1800w induction cooktop was too painful to continue using - took way to long to get wort to anything resembling a boil.)
In terms of my 240v options in the house: 30 amp breaker that feeds to the dryer (not really an option, since this outlet is on the second floor of my apartment and nowhere near where I would be brewing) and a 50 amp breaker that feeds to my electric range, with a 14-50 outlet that the range plugs in to. The outlet is easily accessible by removing the pots & pans drawer at the bottom of the range.
My initial approach was to try an inline gfci extension + an adaptor to go from the 14-50 to 6-30:
The adaptor: http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=38940
The inline gfci: http://www.mcmaster.com/#7348k42/=vb24gd
The BoilCoil 6-30 plug then plugs directly into the gfci extension, which plugs into the wall via the adaptor.
I bought these, but after reading more and more in this forum, I'm thinking this is not a very safe approach:
1) The gfci response time might not actually be fast enough to protect me (I don't know the actual response time on this thing)
2) A short on the line side, since it is 50a, would not be protected by a 30a device
3) I still have not solved the easy-way-to-turn-off-and-on without just unplugging the BC, which seems like a no-no
So, realistically speaking, what are my options? In an apartment complex, so I can't just hire an electrician to install a 50a gfci breaker where the existing 50a breaker is (plus, who knows how long I will be here.) So ideally I'd love to have something a little portable.
A lot of people seem to point out spa panels as an option. I'd personally prefer to do little or no wiring myself. Is it safe to have a freestanding spa panel? Is it safe to feed it via my 14-50 outlet with a plug? The spa panel alone doesn't solve being able to turn the BoilCoil on and off via a switch either (but can you mount an on-off switch in one?)
Are there any other options - pre-built preferably, that I'm missing?
PS, I've already drilled my boilermaker & mounted the boilcoil, so I'm kind of locked in there.
I recently bought a Blichmann BoilCoil, but I'm having trouble piecing everything together besides the BC itself to actually safely operate it.
I bought the 10 gallon 240v version. I live in an apartment. This is the main reason I need to switch to electric brewing; no space/option for outdoor propane burners any more (and using an 1800w induction cooktop was too painful to continue using - took way to long to get wort to anything resembling a boil.)
In terms of my 240v options in the house: 30 amp breaker that feeds to the dryer (not really an option, since this outlet is on the second floor of my apartment and nowhere near where I would be brewing) and a 50 amp breaker that feeds to my electric range, with a 14-50 outlet that the range plugs in to. The outlet is easily accessible by removing the pots & pans drawer at the bottom of the range.
My initial approach was to try an inline gfci extension + an adaptor to go from the 14-50 to 6-30:
The adaptor: http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=38940
The inline gfci: http://www.mcmaster.com/#7348k42/=vb24gd
The BoilCoil 6-30 plug then plugs directly into the gfci extension, which plugs into the wall via the adaptor.
I bought these, but after reading more and more in this forum, I'm thinking this is not a very safe approach:
1) The gfci response time might not actually be fast enough to protect me (I don't know the actual response time on this thing)
2) A short on the line side, since it is 50a, would not be protected by a 30a device
3) I still have not solved the easy-way-to-turn-off-and-on without just unplugging the BC, which seems like a no-no
So, realistically speaking, what are my options? In an apartment complex, so I can't just hire an electrician to install a 50a gfci breaker where the existing 50a breaker is (plus, who knows how long I will be here.) So ideally I'd love to have something a little portable.
A lot of people seem to point out spa panels as an option. I'd personally prefer to do little or no wiring myself. Is it safe to have a freestanding spa panel? Is it safe to feed it via my 14-50 outlet with a plug? The spa panel alone doesn't solve being able to turn the BoilCoil on and off via a switch either (but can you mount an on-off switch in one?)
Are there any other options - pre-built preferably, that I'm missing?
PS, I've already drilled my boilermaker & mounted the boilcoil, so I'm kind of locked in there.