Charlie Shiels elements or Argos kettle?

[delzep]

What are the pros and cons for each? The Argos kettles are 2.2kW...no idea what the CS ones are...in fact I can find very little info on CS elements (including prices). Anyone know what size holes are required for each in a plastic bucket?

[Padraic]

They both go into the same size hole, 38mm I think!

Charlie shields ones are 2.0KW as far as I know.

The Charlie shields ones don't require any butchering and are thus safer.

They cost a little bit more than the Kettles.

[delzep]

I'll be paying Charlie a visit so

[Ciderhead]

I'll be paying Charlie a visit so

Whoaa, in the blue corner.
I have installed 8 argos elements into plastic buckets/kegs and a further two "charlies" (one has since stopped working) yet to have a failure with argos elements.
They are not any harder or simpler to install, they are harder to decamp from the kettle in the first place but I can do one in 2-3 mins now.
I don't do boil overs , but if I did my elements have cable aka Tubes pics above fully covering the power connections and are splash proof.
Charlies elements do need to be butchered to connect an earth if you decide to upgrade to kegs.
Smaller less intrusive Argos elements allow me easier access to draining false bottom.

[LordEoin]

I just butchered a couple of kettles no problems at all and it only took about 10 minutes
But I have a few questions...
Will computer cables work just as good on Argos elements? They seem to fit and I presume they're wired the same.
Are the holes 38mm for sure?
And for keg use,where on the kettle element do you run your earth from?

[Garry]

I just butchered a couple of kettles no problems at all and it only took about 10 minutes
But I have a few questions...
Will computer cables work just as good on Argos elements? They seem to fit and I presume they're wired the same.
Are the holes 38mm for sure?
And for keg use,where on the kettle element do you run your earth from?

Earthing details here.

I think PC leads are too light for heating elements but some older PCs have heavy duty cables like those used on a UPS. You can get a plug in maplin if you want to make your own.

I don't know about the hole size.

[johnrm]

Measure the hole on the kettle before you dump it.

[JimmyM]

In dublin, plastic bucket kettle, charlie shiels elemnts is the only answer.

[LordEoin]

@ garry - cheers
@ john - you genius! I'll go measure me hole! (why didn't I think of that?)
@ jimmy - I was going to go plastic bucket, but that's add cost and limit size. and i like shiny metal and anglegrinders 

[delzep]

In dublin, plastic bucket kettle, charlie shiels elemnts is the only answer.

They tried to sell me three of them though saying that every other homebrewer buys three of them...I've never seen anyone mentioning buying three of them. Bad form I think

[Damien M]

Use 2 one spare for Brew Day failures!!   To be sure to be sure!!

[johnrm]

Lads have been known to buy 3 all right.
Bless their salesmanship!

[LordEoin]

Put one behind your ear for later 

[Eoin]

@ john - you genius! I'll go measure me hole! (why didn't I think of that?)

That's dedication for you, hand mirror and a squat? Or will you have help?

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[LordEoin]

I suppose I could try sticking different things into my hole to find the diameter. It's quite a wide hole.