element problem

[Arbe0]

I started the process of putting together an electric brewers in my basement. I just finished the control box. When I looked at the elements (hoping for 240v 5500 Watt) I figured out they may not fit in my pots that I want to use, I have used them with propane outside. They are 10 Gallon Anvel pots 13.5 inches inside diameter.
Is there a solution to this?

 

[Gravitysucks]

I'm using a Camco 02965 5500W ripple element in my HLT which is 14 inches I.D. I have about 1 1/2 inches clearance from the end of the element to the wall of the kettle.
I used this TC bulkhead:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15wlf.htm
and a Hot Pod:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/etc.htm
in order to mount in to the kettle.
My boil kettle is 15 inches I.D. and has a welded TC fitting for the element. Using the same model element I have about 2 1/2 inches of clearance.
13.5 inches might be tight depending on the way you chose to mount the element but you have options that should be able to make it work.

 

[Arbe0]

in looking around I think I found one that will fit. I really wanted one with a tryclamp but I can find a try clamp that will work with this from brewHardware. This is the one I found.....https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com...-5500w-240v-camco-02935-straight-bare-element

 

[Gravitysucks]

in looking around I think I found one that will fit. I really wanted one with a tryclamp but I can find a try clamp that will work with this from brewHardware. This is the one I found.....https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com...-5500w-240v-camco-02935-straight-bare-element

That element is a Low Watt Density element. You should try to find a ULWD element if you can like this one from the Electric Brewery:
https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com...nt-5500w-240v-camco-02965-ripple-bare-element
According to their specs it should work in a 13.5 inch I.D. kettle.

 

[Arbe0]

nice. thank you Gravity, I put them in the cart.

 

[augiedoggy]

they bend fairly easily too btw..

 

[Arbe0]

so Augiedoggy is the camco element not good to use, should I consider one of the other elements instead? I haven't ordered them yet.

 

[augiedoggy]

so Augiedoggy is the camco element not good to use, should I consider one of the other elements instead? I haven't ordered them yet.

camco elements can be bent to fit too.. ive beant them myself before. if you use a weldless TC fitting and mount the element in a TC base that will buy you an inch or two of space as well.

the elemtn your looking at is not ULWD and in my opinion not as good of a choice as the ULWD ripple elements with lower watt density which is safer with heating wort.

 

[Bobby_M]

in looking around I think I found one that will fit. I really wanted one with a tryclamp but I can find a try clamp that will work with this from brewHardware. This is the one I found.....https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com...-5500w-240v-camco-02935-straight-bare-element

My TC ripple element would fit because the port sticks out from the pot to add more clearance.

 

[Gravitysucks]

camco elements can be bent to fit too.. ive beant them myself before. if you use a weldless TC fitting and mount the element in a TC base that will buy you an inch or two of space as well.

the elemtn your looking at is not ULWD and in my opinion not as good of a choice as the ULWD ripple elements with lower watt density which is safer with heating wort.

I think the OP misunderstood and thought the ability to bend the Camco elements was a bad thing. The Camco 02965 element I suggested in my earlier reply is a ULWD ripple element and when used with the weldless TC fitting and Hot Pod that Bobby offers only extends 12.5 inches inside the kettle I used it on. The only problem with that particular element is the end of the fold back comes very close to the element base so in my case I had to bend it a bit to avoid it hitting the TC bulkhead.

 

[Arbe0]

I bought the 5500 ULWD camco element, and got the 1.5 tri clover enclosure with clamp and weldless TC flange from Bew Hardware. It all looks like it will fit just right without any problems.

 

[Arbe0]

looking at it again I see the problem. How and what way should I bend this to get it to fit while making it so I can take it out to clean? I already bent it but maybe the wrong way, used a tie to get it back to the original place.

 

[Arbe0]

Yes,the fold back of camco element is very close to element base,that is not designed very well for camco,we think so.

sooo how do I bend this to get it to fit so it also is able to take out of the pot?

 

[mongoose33]

I bought a 5500-watt element from BrewHardware. It fits in my Spike 10 gallon kettle, which is 13.8 inches wide.

Here's a pic showing how it fits: