Hlt Thermocouple Queries

[crozdog]

Hi guys,

I want to install a thermocouple in / on my electric HLT so that I can dial in my desired temp on the controller & know that i'll have water at the temp I want to mash or sparge.

Where on the HLT should I mount the probe? My thoughts are that as heat rises, near the top may be inaccurate & too close to the bottom where the element is also likely to not reflect the temp of the rest of the volume. I am thinking of installing the thermocouple about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom, so that it remains underwater most of the time & hopefully isn't impacted by the issues mentioned. What do you think?

My HLT is a 50l stainless steel electric laundry "copper" & I am considering installing a bolt on type thermocouple which would require a hole to be drilled in the side of the HLT. An alternative is to get a waterproof (IP56?) rated probe & drop it in over the side.

How have you done this & where did you source your thermocouples from?

Thanks

Crozdog

 

[AndrewQLD]

Mine is attached to the outlet inside the keg, no matter where you put it you will have to stir the water to distribute the heat, there is quite a bit of difference between the top (hotest) and the bottom (coldest).

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Justin]

Andrew has pretty much got it. If you want really accurate temps you are going to need to build a stirrer. A windscreen wiper motor is a good source for a motor with a slow rpm. Batz has one on his system. I have one here that I just haven't built yet.

Other than that, wherever you put it will have errors.