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FractalXplora
Grainiack




Registered: 02/11/06
Posts: 2,494
Loc: UK
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: Ozzy]
#14498282 - 05/23/11 10:07 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Hi Oz , thanks for chiming in, I been studing your 55g set up also.
I think im out my depth here, as I know little about electricity, and realise using a 4- 5kw element is gonna need break out boxes and the like.
I have no idea about this and would need to take it to someone who does, dont wanna fry myself!
IN the UK u seem to buy the heating element with the type of thermostat I have built into it

I see you have an upper and a lower t/stat cant seem to find those anywhere.
So my plan is to go with one 5k element in the bottom of the barrel, will have to be standing up as I chopped the top off already.
Fractal.
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FractalXplora
Grainiack




Registered: 02/11/06
Posts: 2,494
Loc: UK
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: FractalXplora]
#14502906 - 05/24/11 05:04 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Am i right in thinking 3kW is the most you can use safely on a 13amp socket?
Anything higher will need a circuit breaker box yes (20-30amp)?
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Sillicybin
Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 2,134
Loc:
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: FractalXplora]
#14503034 - 05/24/11 06:17 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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3KW might be slightly over the rated load for a 13A breaker for you, if I'm correct that your mains is 230V.
Watts = Amps * Volts 3000 = 230x x = 13.043 Amperes
It would probably run just fine on a 13A breaker (usually there's a little leeway,) but it's possible to get an intermittent trip occasionally.
You can use Google to do all this work for you. Check this out: Google calc
EDIT: And as soon as I answer, the EE comes and answers. Following his advice with the derating is the right/safe way to do things.
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 12 days
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: FractalXplora]
#14503036 - 05/24/11 06:18 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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At 240 volts, a 5 kw element will pull around 21 amps, so you'd want a 30 amp breaker and wire sized to handle the load. In the US, that would be #10 copper.
At 240 volts, a 3 kw element will pull 12.5 amps. This would need to be at least on a 15 amp circuit.
Do you have an electric stove or water heater? If so, you could use that circuit for your pasteurizer, after shutting off or unplugging the original device while you're using it.
To calculate amps on a single phase circuit such as you'll find in homes, simply divide the watts by volts. Always derate 20% or so, meaning for example if your circuit draws 19 amps, don't try to use it on 20 amp breaker or fuse. Go to the next larger circuit breaker and appropriate wire size. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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FractalXplora
Grainiack




Registered: 02/11/06
Posts: 2,494
Loc: UK
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: RogerRabbit]
#14503047 - 05/24/11 06:23 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
At 240 volts, a 5 kw element will pull around 21 amps, so you'd want a 30 amp breaker and wire sized to handle the load. In the US, that would be #10 copper.
At 240 volts, a 3 kw element will pull 12.5 amps. This would need to be at least on a 15 amp circuit.
Do you have an electric stove or water heater? If so, you could use that circuit for your pasteurizer, after shutting off or unplugging the original device while you're using it.
To calculate amps on a single phase circuit such as you'll find in homes, simply divide the watts by volts. Always derate 20% or so, meaning for example if your circuit draws 19 amps, don't try to use it on 20 amp breaker or fuse. Go to the next larger circuit breaker and appropriate wire size. RR
Magic, thanks for that RR, understood.
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ozzysmygod
Late Night PC'ing Enthusiast



Registered: 11/26/08
Posts: 835
Last seen: 9 years, 4 months
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: FractalXplora]
#14510477 - 05/25/11 03:42 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I use a 12" 3kw immersion heater in a galvanised bin, I'd estimate its about 100 L. Unsure how long it takes to heat up, definatly not unbareable. Turn it on before you start preping substrates and it should be up to temp relativly quickly. I can time it if you like?
Any 12" standard UK immersion heater will do the job. You can get larger ones but it probably wont fit in your container horizontally. The thermostat you already have will slide straight into an immersion heater, although chances are if you buy one it will come supplied with one.
Technically its against building regulations to use a 13amp plug attatched to the immersion heater. I am unsure as to why this is as UK 3 Pin plugs are rated at 13amps, and a 3kw immersion heater use's 13amps, so it wont overload it. Saying that, mine is wired to a 3 pin plug with no problems yet. Ive also seen them wired with plugs in houses. Its safe, just not 'regulation'
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ozzysmygod
Late Night PC'ing Enthusiast



Registered: 11/26/08
Posts: 835
Last seen: 9 years, 4 months
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: ozzysmygod]
#14510754 - 05/25/11 04:36 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Just uploaded pics here-
Here
Edited by ozzysmygod (05/26/11 06:15 AM)
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FractalXplora
Grainiack




Registered: 02/11/06
Posts: 2,494
Loc: UK
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: ozzysmygod]
#14513177 - 05/26/11 12:47 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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thanks ozzymygod good to know a 4kw will work without messin with the electrics, you links not working would love to see ya set up.
on my steamer;
just tried my unit for the second time with two nice sized bags of straw in.
Had to baby sit it, had a m/therm stuck in the bag, and one halfway up on the outside of the barrel.
I never let the one on the barrel go over 170F so kept unplugging the steamer until it dropped to 140F ( about 15 mins) then turning in back on for about 8 mins to reach 170F again.
A bit of a PITA for sure, took the center of my sub 2 hours to get to 150F but never went over, so I think its done a sterling job.
Never had to refill the steamer either!
Took 3 hours all in all,but hell i was having a few beers/smokes so it was cool.
Might try the t/stat at the bottom of the barrel to see how I fair with that, removed it for this run.
I made a laundry basket (tree oyster) out of the last batch i done that got to 220F and hell, its colonizing nicely one week in, fingers crossed.
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ozzysmygod
Late Night PC'ing Enthusiast



Registered: 11/26/08
Posts: 835
Last seen: 9 years, 4 months
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: FractalXplora]
#14513853 - 05/26/11 06:19 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Ive fixed the link, a double 'http://' was causing the problem!
Its 3kw not 4kw, dunno if that was a typo :p
My pasteurizer is a set and forget soloution, now ive adjusted the thermostat all i need to do is fill it with water, let it heat up, and throw my subs in pillow cases in for several hours.
The problems with the thermostat might just be because its in steam instead of water? Or you might of got a dodgy one, they do break. Was it new? Mine is accurate and turns on when required
Any other questions let me know.
Edited by ozzysmygod (05/26/11 06:27 AM)
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FractalXplora
Grainiack




Registered: 02/11/06
Posts: 2,494
Loc: UK
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Re: Thermostat wiring for bulk steam pasteurizer advice needed [Re: ozzysmygod]
#14513923 - 05/26/11 06:50 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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caught ya thread m8, thanks for posting that, you sent me on another mission now, i go build this too!
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