Using a 30a range cord and need ideas to install it to an element.

[BWN]

I am using your basic 30a range cord you can buy at Home Depot. I have my elements installed into my kegs but need a way to make a good seal where the wires go into the junction box. The box has 1/2" threaded holes in it and I can fit the wires through the holes by themselves. The problem is I can't fit them in there with any kind fitting. The only idea I have come with is to put them in there and wad a bunch of silicone around them. I don't think I would like the way that would look and I don't know how well it would stay. Any ideas, how have others used these cords?

 

[TomDaniels]

I bought a large stainless shaker (for sugar, etc.) from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Punched a hole in the bottom and put a ground screw through the side.

I used a nut and a silicone washer on the inside. I did have to apply a bit of teflon tape to get the system to seal up.

Somewhere, there is a mega thread of these posted.

 

[TomDaniels]

Oh... I forgot. I used a circle cut from a plastic cutting board to cover the shaker holes. I cut the hole in the stainless shaker lid oversize. Then cut the hole in the just big enough so that the it handles the cord and you can still screw it on.

 

[TomDaniels]

Here is the mega thread for your question.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/show-us-your-element-housings-pots-how-did-you-do-212079/

 

[BWN]

I read through that post before. I already have the elements installed in the box I just need a way to seal the cord going in. Ill try and post some pics. I have knockout punches so I might put a hole in the back cover plate and try to install something.

 

[TomDaniels]

Well, I didn't worry about sealing the cord entrance entirely. You could cut a disk of plastic and drill 3 overlapping holes that the cord just fits through.

 

[papajess]

Go to your local electric supply store and ask for a strain relief.

 

[JayMac]

go to your local electric supply store and ask for a strain relief.

+1

 

[TomDaniels]

Which kind of strain relief? I used the two screw all metal type inside my element enclosure but it doesn't seal anything.

What's the name for the snazzy type?

 

[acidrain]

There really is no sealing type of strain relief that will fit a range cord... you'll need to go to a rubber jacketed electrical cable for that.
Here's my build: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/built-rims-tube-ss-electrical-box-oh-yeah-394252/
It has some part numbers in there for you.

 

[alien]

How about trying a PG series waterproof cable gland. Perhaps PG24 might be about the right size. They come with tubular rubber inserts to wrap around the cable. You could try potting the cable inside the rubber tube with silicone sealant, then fixing it inside the gland body. That way you could get strain relief with a waterproof seal and still be able to take the cable out again.

 

[JayMac]

How about trying a PG series waterproof cable gland. Perhaps PG24 might be about the right size. They come with tubular rubber inserts to wrap around the cable. You could try potting the cable inside the rubber tube with silicone sealant, then fixing it inside the gland body. That way you could get strain relief with a waterproof seal and still be able to take the cable out again.

That is the strain relief I use. I bought it for a couple bucks at HD. Not 100% waterproof, but if I threw a bucket of water onto it I doubt anything would get in.

With that said, I'm not gonna try!

 

[highland_brewer]

Check here...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/837/=mai9gp

If that does not work for you.

 

[TomDaniels]

Home Depot? What section? Guess I never see that kind of stuff at lowes or similar?

 

[JayMac]

Home Depot? What section? Guess I never see that kind of stuff at lowes or similar?

In the Canadian stores, it's in the electrical sections near the gang boxes.

http://m.homedepot.ca/Product/productdetails.aspx?ProductId=954584&lang=EN

 

[WAORGANY]

BWN ..any luck with this? I am still trying to figure out my PID issue..I can help you with what ever you need tomorrow night when I stop in.

 

[BWN]

Yeah I got a strain relief at Home Depot and put it in the cover plate. Now I just need to figure out where the heck I put those little screws that hold the cover plate on.

 

[WAORGANY]

Yeah I got a strain relief at Home Depot and put it in the cover plate. Now I just need to figure out where the heck I put those little screws that hold the cover plate on.

I probably have some if you them shoot me a txt if you do and I will look.

 

[Bobby_M]

If you just need scuff protection, you can get a rubber grommet that squeezes into the hole in your metal enclosure to feed cord through. To add a crude strain relief to that setup, you'd want to tie the cord in a knot inside. The compression grips provide both functions at once and that's how I'd recommend doing it.