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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Automating my low pressure sterilizer.
#23395012 - 06/29/16 05:46 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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So I'll start from the beginning with this project. First off I installed a 240v 30amp circuit in the garage right where I wanted the sterilizer. Lucky for me my main panels are right where I wanted the plug.
I started by cutting the hole in the sheetrock for my old work box. Next I drilled a hole through the stud to run the wire through.

Next I ran my 10/2 wire through the hole with plenty to spare.

From there I needed to connect the plug. Strip each hot leg about a half inch back and insert into the lug, then tighten the fuck out of them. Make sure each connection is tight by trying to pull the connection loose after tightened. All connections need to be solid.
 
After your plug is connected and in place, you can connect your ground for the circuit to the ground bar in your main panel. Lastly, connect both hot legs to your 30 amp circuit breaker. Again all connections must be tight.


Once you are sure all connections are made and correct, double check, then you can lock your breaker into place. Test the new circuit with your meter. Remove the tab from the face of the main panel where your new circuit is located, then label said circuit.
 
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Shirak
Uhhhh

Registered: 05/24/16
Posts: 100
Last seen: 4 years, 8 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: SpeakSoftly]
#23395350 - 06/29/16 07:56 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Isn't 240v supposed to be 10/3? Looks like a 120v outlet
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: Shirak]
#23395712 - 06/29/16 10:00 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Your right, I've installed the wrong outlet. Because its for a water heater though 10/2 wiring is fine. Two hot lines and one ground as far as I know. I'm not an electrician, so heed lightly. I should change the plug and receptacle to a 240 volt though.
Edited by SpeakSoftly (06/29/16 10:08 PM)
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: SpeakSoftly]
#23395789 - 06/29/16 10:21 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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you know they make 240V switches right?
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: drake89]
#23396727 - 06/30/16 07:58 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I don't know what a switch has to do with what I'm doing here, please explain yourself.
I've been running this sterilizer for a couple months now with about 95% success rate. I fill it with water (about 8 gallons) plug it in, an let it go for about 8-10 hours. The PID is set to 215f, which puts pressure on the system at about 1 psi.
If there is enough interest I will post the rest of the wiring and PID hookup?
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drake89
Mushroom Magnate



Registered: 06/26/11
Posts: 4,168
Loc: TN
Last seen: 4 years, 10 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: SpeakSoftly]
#23396808 - 06/30/16 08:41 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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I thought you were calling a plug 'automatic'
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Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: drake89]
#23397148 - 06/30/16 11:17 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Please post pics. So this is a sealed sterilizer style autoclave with a petcock?
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: Gr0wer]
#23400406 - 07/01/16 08:54 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Okay guys this is a double barrel roger rabbit style sterilizer, that's automated with a PID temp controller. I should be able to post the rest of the write up today after I do a bulk run and the rest of my work.
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leschampignons
Biochemistry + Mycology


Registered: 08/30/13
Posts: 1,583
Loc: NY/NJ/ME
Last seen: 4 days, 8 hours
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: SpeakSoftly]
#23402492 - 07/01/16 09:50 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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following
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: leschampignons]
#23410793 - 07/04/16 03:38 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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 I found that this rubber washer has worked the best for sealing against the barrel, bought at lowes.
 Using 10-12 gauge connectors I secured all connections to the heating element. Then grounded onto the metal frame.
 I found an proper size rubber washer for the k type thermocouple, then drilled a hole towards the top of the steam barrel. Tightened then later pressure tested.
 Attached 2-30 amp solid state relays to the back of my work box. Ran each hot leg of my current through its own relay. This is much cheaper than buying a double pole relay IMO.
 This shows how the ground is spliced.
 Here I've made the connections 18 gauge (i think) for the 120v power to PID, with 25' extension cord. I think slot 3 and 4 is where I made the connection for the remote SSR, that allows power to flow through the relays.
 Here we have the remotes wired to power both relays.
 Here are the pig tails to power + and - of each SSR.
 All wired up ready to plug in.
 Took me a while to figure out how to program, but now my set value stays at 215f and kicks back on at 214f keeping the system at 1 psi.
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Gr0wer
always improving



Registered: 09/16/03
Posts: 6,056
Loc: El Paso, TX
Last seen: 5 years, 10 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: SpeakSoftly]
#23412202 - 07/04/16 11:04 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Watch those fotek SSR's i melted a few of them running well under there amp rating. I also had issues with them sticking on. This was on my brew rig.
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SpeakSoftly
Stranger



Registered: 09/12/12
Posts: 95
Loc: North Texas
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Automating my low pressure sterilizer. [Re: Gr0wer]
#23413241 - 07/05/16 10:15 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yea the other day I noticed that a remote wire had loosened up, still making contact but loose. Tightened her back up.
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