Garyr2973
Well-Known Member
I want to run 4- 3000w elements (2 in HLT, 2 in BK). I know I'll need 4 SSRs but I want to run 1 PID per tank. Anything wrong with just wiring the SSRs (2 per) in parallel coming off the PID?
I have a BCS but I think this logic is the same. You just need to connect the pid OUT (turn **** on) to both of the ssr's that control those 2 elements. I just ran the OUT to one ssr then hopped the wire over to the next. Then when the PID OUT turns on it activates both ssrs. It doesn't know or care it's connected to more than one ssr, it just sends the low voltage signal to say go. It's just going to keep going on and off to maintain whatever you set it at based on the IN (temp probe).
Not sure on a PID but I had to do this with my multiple element rig because each OUT on the BCS is associated with an IN (temp probe). You can't have 1 IN controlling 2 OUTS so you make 1 OUT control 2 things after it leaves the controller.
Boy I don't know if that makes sense. Forgive me if I'm wrong, as I said I haven't worked with a PID. Maybe someone else can verify.
Please let me weigh in a little bit. /\ You only have 120V power available. You are planning on using 3000W elements. If those elements are 120V rated elements each will draw 25A which is more than a 120V circuit can handle. If they are 240V rated elements they will only provide 750W when run on a 120V circuit. This will defeat your whole plan.Thanks for all the replies everyone. I actually didn't think about wiring the elements in parallel but that's a great idea. I will get a bigger SSR and heat sink to match. I'd love to just go with a single bigger element but due to only having 120v, I think a single element would take forever to get water/wort to a boil. I thought about going to a single 3000w element in the HLT then adding a RIMS to help it out but I guess that won't help heating spathe and mash water will it?
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