National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Ciderhead on August 21, 2013, 10:57:21 PM

Title: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 21, 2013, 10:57:21 PM
A nice man from Ebay, Chinese Division sent me a 3,800w and 10,000w controller for my HLT and boiler today

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/22/6aje5a4y.jpg)


TT with iPhone
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Shanna on August 21, 2013, 11:18:58 PM
"Danger Will Robinson!"

You had to do an one up on yours truly by going and getting a 10K controller ;-).

How big is the element in your HLT?

Shanna

Quote from: Ciderhead on August 21, 2013, 10:57:21 PM
A nice man from Ebay, Chinese Division sent me a 3,800w and 10,000w controller for my HLT and boiler today

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/22/6aje5a4y.jpg)


TT with iPhone
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: christhebrewer on August 22, 2013, 09:18:11 AM
What's wrong with the 3k STC?
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 22, 2013, 11:57:35 AM
Quote from: Shanna on August 21, 2013, 11:18:58 PM

You had to do an one up on yours truly by going and getting a 10K controller ;-).

How big is the element in your HLT?

Thats a very personal question :), tbh I don't need it as I have 2 of the 3.8KW dimmers and they would be fine but I know I will use it. 
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: brenmurph on August 22, 2013, 12:48:10 PM
Ive one of them as well cider... havnt installed yet, but same reason, in summer dont meed full whack and when Im mashing I need a gentle heat with the pump to prevent caramelisation the  element.

Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 22, 2013, 12:58:26 PM
Are these units reliable?
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Garry on August 22, 2013, 01:02:36 PM
I bought one too. I was going to hook it up to a motor for the grain mill. I haven't tried it yet. I must say that the built quality doesn't look inspiring but at the price, you can't complain.
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 22, 2013, 01:05:44 PM
Quote from: brenmurph on August 22, 2013, 12:48:10 PM
Ive one of them as well cider... havnt installed yet, but same reason, in summer dont meed full whack and when Im mashing I need a gentle heat with the pump to prevent caramelisation the  element.

especially with 90min pilsner boils
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: brenmurph on August 22, 2013, 01:05:56 PM
As reliable as some of the rubbish we buy from Irish suppliers :), especially Aldi,  lamps with faulty batteries, lawnmowers with faulty, starting coils, and Iphones from Apple which get relplaced 5 times in the first year :D
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 22, 2013, 01:06:07 PM
I'm just a bit hesitant about them as I wouldn't be too impressed if I had to rewire one of those mid-brew.

The price is excellent though, it would probably cost €20 to get all those components in farnell.
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: brenmurph on August 22, 2013, 01:11:28 PM
Im a huge fan of the chinese, if u saw my ebay account with hundreds of transactions, alixpress who are hugely reputable, and happydeal.com. I can safely say thateverything Ive bought is superb and nothing has ever let me down.
I have led lights all over my house at pennies and top of the range tablets with features unheard of in Ireland that is flawless. Not forgetting my stc's, conrny valves, regulators, t-balls and tons of other brewing stuff all from china and no complaints.  :)
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Will_D on August 22, 2013, 08:30:04 PM
Quote from: Garry on August 22, 2013, 01:02:36 PM
I bought one too. I was going to hook it up to a motor for the grain mill. I haven't tried it yet. I must say that the built quality doesn't look inspiring but at the price, you can't complain.
May not work Garry.

A lot depends on the motor:

Most AC motors are not controllable at all - they just run a a constant speed

DC motors are more likely to controllable by either applied voltage or PWM

I believe these are PWM controllers and only work on a resistive load - like a light bulb or a heater element
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Stitch on August 22, 2013, 08:45:43 PM
Quote from: Will_D on August 22, 2013, 08:30:04 PM
Quote from: Garry on August 22, 2013, 01:02:36 PM
I bought one too. I was going to hook it up to a motor for the grain mill. I haven't tried it yet. I must say that the built quality doesn't look inspiring but at the price, you can't complain.
May not work Garry.

A lot depends on the motor:

Most AC motors are not controllable at all - they just run a a constant speed

DC motors are more likely to controllable by either applied voltage or PWM

I believe these are PWM controllers and only work on a resistive load - like a light bulb or a heater element

Nearly every AC motor is controllable. PWM will achieve this - basis for Inverters/Variable speed drive
Will be ok for heating but not for lighting. Triac output blocks the negative phase of the cycle.
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 22, 2013, 09:23:10 PM
This is how it ended up, another box, just for tubes benefit  ;)

I do need this one to be portable as I use different sockets for each element.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/23/9erunute.jpg)


And connected a domestic kettle to have a play with


(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/23/ese2u2ep.jpg)




What you can't see are a few holes drilled on the side of the lid to allow for ventilation of the heat sink I will monitor and if it gets very hot I will put in a computer fan.
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Will_D on August 22, 2013, 09:26:49 PM
Where did you get the V/A display from?

Uber Cool - I need about 10 of these. Blue is soooo cooool. Red Leds are soooo yesterday!
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 22, 2013, 09:31:54 PM
Here you go Will
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-Digital-Voltmeter-Ammeter-AMP-Volt-Meter-Panel-Transformer-300V-50A-/281052386403?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:IE:3160
Title: Re: Variable input controllers for elements
Post by: Ciderhead on August 22, 2013, 09:44:12 PM
believe it or not apart from the bottom right its tight in there cos of the big heat sink and back box of the socket.