SSR Logistical Questions

[WhiteArmadilloBrewing]

I am building a 30a 240v control panel to power (1) 4500w 240v element in the HLT (1) 5500w 240v element in the BK, a 1500w element in my RIMS tube, 2 Auber EZBoils, and a couple of pumps. I have had a lot of my other questions answered before I start wiring everything together. I plan on mounting my SSRs to heat sinks and have a computer fan air cooling them. Here are my questions:

(1) Do I have to worry about arcing between SSRs? Meaning, can I install them TOO closely? Not touching, but really close together? (I'm a little tight on space...)

(2) Do I need two 40a SSRs per elements since they are 240v?

(3) If I plan on manually switching on/off my pumps do I need to run the switch through an SSR or can I wire each pump directly to a switch?

 

[Sparkncode]

1) no real issue . Just keep some space between the terminals and other terminals etc. The case is plastic and the metal back is insulated from the internal circuitry.

2) one SSR per element is fine. Only need one to interrupt the current.

3) an SSR is not necessary. You can wire the pumps directly through the switch provided the switch contacts are rated for more current than thd pumps draw.

 

[MX1]

Sounds a lot like my control box. What Sparkncode said is spot on

MX1

 

[WhiteArmadilloBrewing]

Clutch. Thx!

 

[WhiteArmadilloBrewing]

@Texas - You don't have a wiring schematic I can take a look at do you?

 

[MX1]

I might, but I think k you can find one on ebrew supply's web site. That is where mine came from

 

[BrunDog]

Please don’t wire anything without a legitimate schematic from a reliable source. Electricity is no joke. Electric Brew Supply is a good one.

 

[WhiteArmadilloBrewing]

Please don’t wire anything without a legitimate schematic from a reliable source. Electricity is no joke. Electric Brew Supply is a good one.

Which is exactly why I'm asking...

I've got some P-J diagrams, Doug293cz diagrams, etc. that I'm looking at prior to wiring everything together. I know electricity is no joke, which is why I'm asking questions, being thorough and careful.

 

[doug293cz]

You've got 3 heating elements but only 2 temp controllers. How is that going to work?

Brew on

 

[WhiteArmadilloBrewing]

You've got 3 heating elements but only 2 temp controllers. How is that going to work?

Brew on

(1) I was going to directly control the heating element in the HLT just for hitting strike temp then using one of the EZBoils to control the rims tube and mash temp.

(2) But I feel like I read somewhere that I could use a three-way selector switch to utilize one EZBoil and switch between elements...???

 

[doug293cz]

You can switch a EZ-Boil (or PID) between two SSR's, but then you also need to switch the temp probe inputs, since controlling an element from a temp probe in a different vessel will get you really screwed up. Ideally you'd want a single switch to enable the power to the element (different task than modulating power to the element) and switch the temp probes. If it's not done with a single switch, sooner or later, you will flip one of the switches and forget to switch the other, with undesirable results. If you get really creative you can accomplish this with one 3PDT switch. Less cleaver solutions need a 4PDT or 5PDT switch. I'd have to spend some time convincing myself that the 3PDT solution doesn't have any "gotchas."

Brew on