Was gonna go propane, but...

[theknub]

it sounds a bit lite... i would think 6 gauge off hand. how are you hooking things up?

 

[g-love]

I think 10 awg should be fine for a 30 amp system. I decided to install a 30 amp gfci breaker in my main panel and run 10 awg wire to an outlet and then run a plug with that same 10 awg wire to the CP. Once inside the CP, I'm thinking I should be able to run slightly higher gauge wire on the circuits protected by the fuses. I only ask because it'd be easier to work with if that's the case. I guess I just need someone to confirm that I'm right our, explain where I'm wrong.

 

[P-J]

I think 10 awg should be fine for a 30 amp system. I decided to install a 30 amp gfci breaker in my main panel and run 10 awg wire to an outlet and then run a plug with that same 10 awg wire to the CP. Once inside the CP, I'm thinking I should be able to run slightly higher gauge wire on the circuits protected by the fuses. I only ask because it'd be easier to work with if that's the case. I guess I just need someone to confirm that I'm right our, explain where I'm wrong.

You are absolutely right. Fuse the pump and PID circuits & you can use much smaller wiring for them. You also might want to feed the contactor pick circuit from the 10A fuse feeding the pump outlets.

With that, you only need the #10 to feed power to the contactors and then to the elements.

P-J

 

[P-J]

Just a heads up:

I changed the wiring diagram so that the contactor pick circuits are now wired through the pump fuse (10A). Just refresh the drawing (page 5 post #41) and save the diagram for printing.

 

[g-love]

Just a heads up:

I changed the wiring diagram so that the contactor pick circuits are now wired through the pump fuse (10A). Just refresh the drawing (page 5 post #41) and save the diagram for printing.

Looks good P-J. Thanks. I'll post a pic of all my new stuff in a big 'ole pile once it starts coming in. Then, I'll try to add some pictures of progress. This will be a slower build than some of the others I've seen, for 2 reasons:

1. Because I am slow by nature. LOL
2. Because I've got a little guy at home that requires my attention (and I don't mind giving it).

 

[P-J]

Looks good P-J. Thanks. I'll post a pic of all my new stuff in a big 'ole pile once it starts coming in. Then, I'll try to add some pictures of progress. This will be a slower build than some of the others I've seen, for 2 reasons:

1. Because I am slow by nature. LOL
2. Because I've got a little guy at home that requires my attention (and I don't mind giving it).

Now that is just plain awesome and right on the money. I applaud you in every way.

P-J

 

[g-love]

Thanks P-J.

Silly fuse question:

I'm buying glass type fuses for the fuse holder I bought at radio shack. The 10 amp fuses I see are rated at 250V. I assumed I needed them rated at 120V. Is this incorrect?

Are the 10 amp 250V fuses what I need? Does the same apply to the 1.0 amp fuses?

 

[P-J]

Thanks P-J.

Silly fuse question:

I'm buying glass type fuses for the fuse holder I bought at radio shack. The 10 amp fuses I see are rated at 250V. I assumed I needed them rated at 120V. Is this incorrect?

Are the 10 amp 250V fuses what I need? Does the same apply to the 1.0 amp fuses?

The fuse voltage rateing does not matter in this case 120V or 250V - either one will work A-Ok.

 

[g-love]

Ok. Next question, which is based on the last diagram P-J added to the thread.

I'm going to use 14 awg wire after the fused parts. I know that the neutral wires should also be the same gauge or bigger based on what they're hooked to.

What gauge wire do I need to use for the neutral wires between the ssr, pid, pump outlets and back to the neutral bus?

I guys I'm confused because the hot line feeding the ssr is not fused and will be 10 awg. But from the pid back is all fused.

This might be a dumb question, but remember, I'm learning here.

 

[P-J]

Ok. Next question, which is based on the last diagram P-J added to the thread.

I'm going to use 14 awg wire after the fused parts. I know that the neutral wires should also be the same gauge or bigger based on what they're hooked to.

What gauge wire do I need to use for the neutral wires between the ssr, pid, pump outlets and back to the neutral bus?

I guys I'm confused because the hot line feeding the ssr is not fused and will be 10 awg. But from the pid back is all fused.

This might be a dumb question, but remember, I'm learning here.

#14 is ok for all of the neutral circuits.

 

[g-love]

OK. Thanks P-J.

I'm reading that to say all, as in ALL neutrals. Even the circuits that are using 10 awg for the hot?

Just so I can understand, can you briefly tell me why.

 

[P-J]

OK. Thanks P-J.

I'm reading that to say all, as in ALL neutrals. Even the circuits that are using 10 awg for the hot?

Just so I can understand, can you briefly tell me why.

Ok. No problem.

Looking at the diagram please note that the Neutral is connected to the contactor coils that draw less than one Amp total. Then it connects to power input for the JSL-71 timer > less than 1 amp. Then it provides power to the 2 pump outlets for a total draw of less than 4 amps. From there it goes on to the SYL-2352 PID input power and switch indicator lights. The total draw on the Neutral circuit will be less than 6 Amps.

Also please note that every device that uses the Neutral line has its 120V hot fused seperately. With this setup much smaller wire can be used for every device except the 240V circuits powering the elements.

That's it for the Neutral.

The 240V 10 awg circuits are the blue lines going to the contactor points and then to the elements and the red lines going to the SSR and then to the contactor points and then the elements. The only 240V powered devices are the 2 heating elements and the element indicator lights.

Hope this helps and makes sense.

P-J

 

[g-love]

That's perfect and makes total sense!

Thanks!

 

[g-love]

P-J,

I noticed the HLT/BK selector switch is not on a fused circuit. Should I fuse that as well so I can step the wire size down or should I just use 10 awg wire for that piece?

Thanks (as always).

 

[P-J]

P-J,

I noticed the HLT/BK selector switch is not on a fused circuit. Should I fuse that as well so I can step the wire size down or should I just use 10 awg wire for that piece?

Thanks (as always).

It's fused. Follow switch #1 terminals 11 & 13. They are connected together and then go to the 10A fuse at the bottom.

 

[g-love]

It's fused. Follow switch #1 terminals 11 & 13. They are connected together and then go to the 10A fuse at the bottom.

Ok.... My bad. I'm was looking at the diagram before you updated it. For some reason it doesn't want to refresh.

But, I understand what needs to be done there. Thanks

 

[g-love]

Ok. Here is a big pile of parts from all over the d*mn place. I am going to start a build thread because it'll give me a clean spot to document my progress from scratch. I'll link it once I get it set up.

P-J and others who have helped, once I get the build thread up I'd love it if you guys/gals would follow that so as I have questions you can help me there.

 

[g-love]

Here is the link to the other thread I started:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/g-loves-e-herms-brew-rig-build-411330/#post5200146