hybrid HLT for HERMS?

[EarthBound]

resurrecting this thread because i just saw this wonderful video from BobbyM on heat shields for his sight glasses. it looks like this is the sort of thing i need for the heating element to ensure the wires don't get too hot.

On top of that, i finally got around to soldering in a 1" half coupling and installing a heating element, so i can start the process of connecting to an SSR and heat testing the heating element connections.

http://www.youtube.com/c5p-JYSLXRA&hl

That link doesn't work, but I have seen his video, and I agree that it is a good design for our application.

I decided to do something similar to what Henrythe9th and P-J posted. Is that what you plan on doing, as well?

 

[slakwhere]

doh i must have butchered the link trying to make it embed. oh well.

i am actually thinking of just attaching the female quick connect plug to the heating element "dead bug" style (no housing/breadboard/etc) and then just potting the whole thing in epoxy or JB Weld in a short tube so the whole thing is waterproof and has a smaller form factor.

 

[EarthBound]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Please post a pic of it when you're done.

I believe this is the video you were trying to post:

 

[slakwhere]

yup that's totally it

 

[EarthBound]

Any updates, slakwhere?

 

[gitapaynts]

The BobbyM style heat shield is exactly what I have protecting my heating element cable from the flames. I also wrapped the thing in flame retardant cloth and heat shield covering about a foot out of the kettle, both from McMastercarr. Probably overkill, but I'm uninterested in dancing with 240v....

I've had dozens of brews this way (build finished last summer), and no issues apparent or seem likely.

 

[slakwhere]

EarthBound, thanks for the check up. i have been moving into my new house and haven't had much time to brew, but i got my first lager under my belt last weekend and used my new hybrid HLT. i do not have a heat shield, only a soldered 1" fitting and a metal junction box to contain the wires.

i used the full blast propane heat from underneath with the electric to assist to get my sparge water up to temp. i then switched to electric only for maintaining mash temps at 149 using the HLT and PID. i then used the electric only to mash out at 168.

it was everything i wanted, worked beautifully (with some aggressive suggestions from me to the pid regarding power % early on).

the new house has the garage wired for 240v @ 40A so i may end up going all electric, but in the mean time this hybrid HLT will totally let me use my PID for holding HLT temps and propane for getting to those temps quicker!

 

[ohararp]

P_J, do you have any part numbers or vendors for those "gem connectors"?

 

[P-J]

http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2006/02/26/c/1/bcplc/iec%20connectors/page_79_2005_cat.pdf

PX0596/63 Bulgin Power Entry Modules

PX0599 Bulgin Power Entry Modules

HTH