Electric Keg HLT... Thoughts?....

[Duckfoot]

I am planning my eventual rig and I think I am leaning towards an electric HLT... Simply for convenience and not having to plumb for propane / natural gas...

I have a spare 220v outlet in my laundry room (we have NG to run the dryer)....

I was figuring I could just get an appropriate drop cord and run maybe a 3500 / 4500W element in a converted keg...

Any thoughts?

TIA

 

[wilserbrewer]

Any thoughts?

Use a GFI! Depending on your level of patience, a 2000w 120v will also work for an HLT.

 

[rooftopbrew]

Depending on your level of patience, a 2000w 120v will also work for an HLT.

Will a 120v/2000w heat 10 gallons to 170F in a reasonable amount of time? I don't have convenient access to a 220v outlet but would like to try this option. I don't mind waiting 40 minutes.

 

[jcdillin]

My 1650w element will heat my insulated keg HLT up to 170 in an hour and 15 minutes, if I start with warm water from the tap it's 45 minutes.

Thats with 12 gallons of water.

 

[missing link]

I'm using 2 1500 Watt elements. 1 for my HLT and one for my MLT. I just set up the night before and program my BCS-460 to come on about 3pm. By 5pm it is at strike temp and holding.

I use pumps to push the water past the heating elements mounted in a tube. All of the heat exchangers, pumps and electronics are in a small box that I set on the ground under my HLT and MLT. So I have a non-permanent structure that breaks down into 3 parts and 4 hoses. 5 parts if you count the BK and burner.

Makes for easy storage in the garage.

For remote brews with the club, I use my tailgate as a table to set the MLT and HLT on, set my "brewery in a box" on the ground and plug in 2 extension cords and my 4 hoses and I'm good to go.

Linc

 

[jonbrout]

Pictures please ^_^

 

[Duckfoot]

Referring to the extension cord from the laundry room to my brew area, what I am finding is that a 10 AWG wire will be sufficient for 30 amps... Which, if I am reading this correctly, means I could use up to a 4500W element without issue?

Please correct me if I am wrong... I can change a light bulb and rewire an outlet, but this 240V stuff scares me a little...

 

[DrKarma]

I'm using 3x230VAC 2 000 kW elementsfor my HLT. (Using wood ribs on a roller ring on the tun, under that I have approximately 1" of PU foam for insulation).

 

[Beer_Maker]

At 240vac, 4.5KW is about 18.75 amps. Your 30 amp circuit will be more than sufficient.

240 really isn't that bad to work with... Try 440 3 phase, 17KV DC, or anything that runs off of 400Hz power (hurts more when it bites).

 

[The Pol]

Your idea is a good one, roll with it. Use a GFCI breaker on that circuit, use the 10AWG wire at least and go with anything up to 5500W for the element.

Installing the element in a keg is easy. Drill the hole, put the element through it with the supplied rubber seal on it, then use a 1" SS straight thread nut from Bargainfittings.com to hold it in place.

You will want to either pot your electrical connections on the element, or build a more complicated enclosed box. I simply potted mine in a cube of epoxy.

 

[Duckfoot]

Thanks for the input...

Pol... What did you use to 'pot' your connections, and more importantly what does that mean? I think I read something about it in your build thread... Basicall encase it all in a non-conductive medium to prevent water / shorts?

Also, I am assuming that I should get some reflectix to insulate the tun with as well...

 

[The Pol]

Yes in my electric build thread the process for potting is detailed with pictures. You encase all of the connections in a non conductive epoxy resin so that it is water tight and that you can touch it live with no fear of electricution. I used JB Weld as it is the strongest epoxy that I know of that is readily available. It also has excellent dielectric properties.

Insulation will help maintain a set temperature. I use coolers for this very reason, they are relatively cheap, and have excellent insuation.

 

[babalu87]

Will a 120v/2000w heat 10 gallons to 170F in a reasonable amount of time? I don't have convenient access to a 220v outlet but would like to try this option. I don't mind waiting 40 minutes.

Yes, mine is insulated with industrial bubble wrap and I am using one 1500 watt 120 stick heater (from an RV HW tank)
Also made an insulated lid.

7 AM
8 gallons 57 degree tap water (it comes out at 50 but sitting overnight got it to a "whopping" 57)

9 AM
176 and ready for dough in

 

[Duckfoot]

Insulation will help maintain a set temperature. I use coolers for this very reason, they are relatively cheap, and have excellent insuation.

I actually had a moment of thought the other day about this very idea... I thought I may get another Coleman Xtreme 70q and make the HLT out of that...

Whatever would I do with my two extra Sankes that are in the garage?... Hmmmm... 15 gallons fermenters?...

Now I am flip flopping... DAMNIT!!!