Variac Transformer

[silvana]

Hi,

I am in need of the help of someone with electrical knowledge. I brew using a 2400W over the side immersion heater which
is fine for full size batches, however I want to experiment with 10L batches and have been searching for something that will allow me to dial down the power of the element and not have a evaporation rate (for 10L it was over 30%), also I just like the idea that I could control the power of the boil like a gas burner but still with the convenience of an electric brewery.


I have found a Variac transformer below from Jay Car and speaking with some not so helpful staff, I have been
left wondering if this will do what I need.


http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...mp;SUBCATID=411




At $229 I really want to make sure I'm buying (if I can justify that price) what I'm after.


Cheers

 

[marksy]

Put a lid on your kettle and turn it off every now and then. $229 is a lot of money to spend dude.

 

[roller997]

Hi,

I am in need of the help of someone with electrical knowledge. I brew using a 2400W over the side immersion heater which
is fine for full size batches, however I want to experiment with 10L batches and have been searching for something that will allow me to dial down the power of the element and not have a evaporation rate (for 10L it was over 30%), also I just like the idea that I could control the power of the boil like a gas burner but still with the convenience of an electric brewery.


I have found a Variac transformer below from Jay Car and speaking with some not so helpful staff, I have been
left wondering if this will do what I need.


http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...mp;SUBCATID=411




At $229 I really want to make sure I'm buying (if I can justify that price) what I'm after.


Cheers

Unfortunately the unit is not powerful enough to run your element.
Ignoring power factor for your element which would make it easier to express 500VA in Watts, the unit only caters for about 1/5 of the power your element requires. If you were to hook it up, I would expect the fuse to blow pretty much straight away.

There were some variable SSR's available, however they require a potientiometer accross one side to regulate the output voltage. I haven't done much research on them but that is what I would be using if I wanted to regulate high current devices such as heating elements.

Another option is to try to find a 1000 Watt immersion element or to get 2-3 of these and get an electrican to put two Australian plugs onto them
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Travel-Portable-Imm...=item519361b9dc


Cheers

Roller

 

[silvana]

Marksy, there would be a LOT of weighing up before droping that amount of money, more just an intrest if it would wrok and as Roller has shown it wont work at all.


Those portable element might work or I might just suck it up and get a small burner for the 10L batches.


Thanks for the replies

 

[peted27]

Marksy, there would be a LOT of weighing up before droping that amount of money, more just an intrest if it would wrok and as Roller has shown it wont work at all.


Those portable element might work or I might just suck it up and get a small burner for the 10L batches.


Thanks for the replies

why can't you use your stove top for 10L batches?

 

[Maheel]

if your capable of building your own, have a look at this thread at HD

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.p...342&start=0

long thread but some good ideas in the 1st few pages then the last few as well

the other way is to go PID, SSR and a TC

 

[silvana]

Hi Peted,

I live with my Italian inlaws and the stovetop is off limits as there is always something cooking..... (and I really mean always) but damn I eat well

Matheel, Im really not electricaly minded so I was looking for something I could just plug in.


I was going to buy a burner this weekend anyway and found this transformer yesterday so nothing lost, burner it is!


Cheers

 

[Jono_w]

Hi Yogi,
As Roller said you would need a very large Variac and would be very expensive for the job.

I would suggest either getting a smaller element which are fairly cheap or I have seen 240v light dimmers with the appropriate rating, in your case 10A used. Sometimes these need modification with a larger TRIAC installed or two in parallel but if your not electrically inclined I would recommend getting this done by someone qualified. These sorts of things tend to leak smoke if not built correctly.

Cheers.


edit: "Im really not electricaly minded" I type too slow...