Wire heating up.

[stokems]

I used my ink bird to regulate the temp on my rims tube and the wire for the plug and going to the ink bird was a little on the hot side. Is that normal?

 

[stlbeer]

You need to make sure you are using the appropriately sized wire for the amps you are drawing. If it's getting warm, it's likely a bit under sized for the job.

Read here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=145019 Post 1.

 

[stokems]

It's a 1500 watts element, but my wire that I put on it was what you'd use on a power tool. I don't have it in front of me but, I think it's a 12 or 14 gauge.

 

[Bobby_M]

Which inkbird unit are you using. I know the ITC308 tops out at 10 amps.

 

[stokems]

That's the one.

 

[stokems]

Would It be better to use a Johnson a419?

 

[Paleface]

I called Johnson Control and they told me that the A-419 is OK for 15 amps. I have a similar arrangement with two 1500 watt elements on two seperate circuits. One is just on/off, the other is controlled with the A410. I use both to bring up to mash temp. Then the A419 controls your mash temp nicely with just the one element. Then both full on again to bring up to boil.

 

[stokems]

That was super helpful,Thanks paleface. I'll switch my ink bird to my keezer and Johnson a419 to my rims. Hopefully that will handle the amperage.

 

[Bobby_M]

Ideally you should be controlling a RIMS with a more dynamic PID based controller with an SSR.