Rust on Camco ULWD elements

[Ed]

Hi lads, I'm looking to get an ULWD element, and am looking at the camco ones listed in the Electric Brewery, the new stainless ones look like the right job but it's going to be about €90 for the element alone... so I'm looking at the older non stainless ones because it's going to cost about half that price as I can get it on Amazon.com.

The question is, having read that the bases rust, is that much of an issue? enough of an issue to fork out on the stainless one?

[Leann ull]

You will need need dedicated lines and sockets for 5.5KW.
They are a fairly core piece of gear in your kit so I'd spend the money if those are the guys you are thinking about.

Shanna's your man to advise, otherwise

http://www.brewbuilder.co.uk/3kw-lwd-elements.html

[Ed]

Thanks, i know I need to do some electrical work to allow for the element, i'll most likely go for the 4.5kw.

I saw that 3kw element on brew builder before, seems decent and all, but at that price, I'd rather get the camco stainless ulwd one... i just wanted to see if any of the owners here would change them if they had the choice.

[Shanna]

Thanks, i know I need to do some electrical work to allow for the element, i'll most likely go for the 4.5kw.

I saw that 3kw element on brew builder before, seems decent and all, but at that price, I'd rather get the camco stainless ulwd one... i just wanted to see if any of the owners here would change them if they had the choice.

I have one of the non stainless ones and it is corroding at the point where the element is joined to the connector. The element itself is brilliant. I think they advise using a sacrificial anode next to the element to stop it rusting although I think this is just when the element is used for heating non drinking water.

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/heating-elements
At the time I got it was not able to get a stainless option but now they are available I am getting one from the US in the few months. To echo CH don't try use one of these without a proper electric setup.

I would spend the money & buy the stainless one.

Shanna

[Ed]

Cheers - the father in law is an electrical engineer so he'll be helping me out (i.e. doing all the work) to put the new circuit in and wire up the element etc.

So it looks like the stainless one might be worth the price?

[Leann ull]

Lucky you with the FiL
Rust, sacrificial anodes in boiling wort no thanks 
Stainless or otherwise I've seen Declans in action and its a beast

[molc]

I'm modelling my future build on Declans Whenever we are next doing work on the house, going to get the electrician to also put in a proper setup to run 5kW elements. The BrewPi store is going to be stocking a range of them soon, so thinking I'll get all my BK parts from there.

[Shanna]

Lucky you with the FiL
Rust, sacrificial anodes in boiling wort no thanks 
Stainless or otherwise I've seen Declans in action and its a beast

Could not agree more re the sacrificial anode, its an absolute no no. I have the 5.5.kw heating element in my HLT and when its empty I dry it out but its a loosing battle with the crappy mild steel in the collar. I would not consider putting manganeese anywhere near my setup.

Shanna

[Ozbrewer]

I have the camco ones and I did get rust. I've added an anode and it's doing the job.  I see no effect on the beer.

If you want the same power as camco 5500w but full stainless, check out the elements on this website - www.brewmation.com - expensive at $60US but would sort the problem out.

Link to anode.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000701HEQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=theelectricbrewery-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000701HEQ


Have a read through this thread.
http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24644&highlight=rust+camco

And this is how I did my elements:
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,5267.30.html

[Shanna]

I'm modelling my future build on Declans Whenever we are next doing work on the house, going to get the electrician to also put in a proper setup to run 5kW elements. The BrewPi store is going to be stocking a range of them soon, so thinking I'll get all my BK parts from there.

My brother (sparks) helped me put the HLT together based on KAL and parts of the electric brewery setup. He recommended a dedicated wiring setup with a 30 amp circuit breaker that is purely for the 5.5kw heating element. Everything is running out of my shed so I have to be careful that I don't use the oven/electric shower at the same time. He covered the outside wiring of the HLT in a water proof steel electrical junction box and earthed the bottom of it. The cabling is a heavy duty armoured cable, while its a pain in the arse to move it stands up really well to abuse. The cabling is attached to a commando socket - http://tinyurl.com/peff3sq.

Its not portable at all but given that I don't intend to use it outside my garage it suits me grand

Shanna

[Ed]

Thanks for the links Oz, I'll check out the brewmation one now, the electric brewery one I've read before and I've drooled over your set-up many times

I'm in a similar boat Shanna, i think we'll (lol) be adding the same 32 amp socket on a 30 amp breaker, so I'll have to time it based on the other usage in the house, though it shouldn't too much of a problem hopefully. The armoured cable is a good idea, I'll check it out!

[Ed]

I'm modelling my future build on Declans Whenever we are next doing work on the house, going to get the electrician to also put in a proper setup to run 5kW elements. The BrewPi store is going to be stocking a range of them soon, so thinking I'll get all my BK parts from there.

Just checked that store, interesting... i was aware for the BrewPi but it's something that's a while away yet in my head - didn't think they'd have so much other cool gear, that element enclosure is tidy! kinda tempting, but it would be a luxury item

[molc]

Yeah for me it's build shiny once and build to last. I'm waiting out brewpi until they finish the mashing software, then I'm going to build my herms.