Electric brewery contol box schematic

[jkarp]

Assuming your PID is bring powered by 120 VAC, why not just use a toggle switch on the PID, which in turn cuts off the juice to the element?

Cutting power to the PID, or even using a low-voltage switch on the control signal to the SSR(s) are sub-optimal ways to kill power to elements because SSRs normally fail closed. In other words, when an SSR dies, it normally continues to pass current, ignoring the input signal.

 

[egurney]

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Pol View Post
Is there a benefit to having it an integrated part of the SSR? Or is it just more to throw away and purchase if the SSR smokes?
I liked them because it was din rail mountable. Don't know if there is a significant benefit beyond that.

Using a DIN mounted SSR, would you need a fan in the control box to cool it down?

 

[willynilly]

Using a DIN mounted SSR, would you need a fan in the control box to cool it down?

They still have heatsinks on them, but IMHO any heatsink INSIDE a box needs a fan to help cool the box, as you arent really getting rid of the heat otherwise.

I have a 105CFM fan on "The Brain", and some shielded intake ports.

 

[egurney]

any heatsink INSIDE a box needs a fan to help cool the box

That's what I was thinking; just wanted to make sure I wasn't overthinking again!

I have a 105CFM fan on "The Brain", and some shielded intake ports.

Do you have an opening on the other side for air flow?
What exactly is a shielded intake port?

 

[willynilly]

That's what I was thinking; just wanted to make sure I wasn't overthinking again!


Do you have an opening on the other side for air flow?
What exactly is a shielded intake port?

Yes, there are (5) 1.375" ports in the underside of the box that are shielded so that that water will not get sucked in (drips). Without intakes, the fan is useless. Since the fan is on the side, I decided to have it SUCK out the air, as I didnt want it to blow water drips and such IN to the box. The intake ports are safe from gravity and drips. The velocity of flow through the ports is amazing, this is a 230VAC fan, .09A

There are 10 SSRs in this box, 8 heatsinks, couple outlets, ground bar, 3 line - 18 load distribution block, along with a BCS460 and a Wireless Router (see antenna), so I need to keep things coooool in there.

It is basically a modular, self contained, power distribution box with web based control. Bolt it to a stand, wire your hots, neutrals and grounds(from your pumps and elements) to the appropriate terminals, log into the BCS, and you can control any electric rig with it from your PC. 50A max load.

Plug and play in one simple box.

 

[egurney]

Yes, there are (5) 1.375" ports in the underside of the box that are shielded so that that water will not get sucked in (drips). Without intakes, the fan is useless. Since the fan is on the side, I decided to have it SUCK out the air, as I didnt want it to blow water drips and such IN to the box. The intake ports are safe from gravity and drips. The velocity of flow through the ports is amazing, this is a 230VAC fan, .09A

There are 10 SSRs in this box, along with a BCS and a Wireless Router (see antenna), so I need to keep things coooool in there

Do you have a picture of the intakes or a part # (homemade?)?
Do you have a hole in the box where the fan sits?
I have a bunch of 12V server fans lying around, I wonder if one of those would work?

 

[willynilly]

Do you have a picture of the intakes or a part # (homemade?)?
Do you have a hole in the box where the fan sits?
I have a bunch of 12V server fans lying around, I wonder if one of those would work?

I went to the fan mfg. website, they had a template PDF there for the cutout and bolt locations. So there is a full size hole where the fan is, yes.

The intakes are homemade, they are just holes on the underside that are shielded from anything that drops from above, due to gravity. Nothing can get sucked into them, other than air.

When looking for fans... I was originally looking at 65CFM fans and such, after firing this thing up, I don't think I would personally go that small. 100CFM is great though, if you are going to spend the time and $$ anyway, get a high flow fan, make your work count for something. This one is also very quiet (40 decibels)

This one is a Muffin XL