Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Planing on building a control box but am a little unsure about the pieces I need so with as much research as I can I have found these components. If it is not to much bother can one of you super brains have a look at the components and point me in the right direction before I begin to order :D on another note I will be getting a sparky to go over my build. There is no way I would risk it :scared-eek:

Also the ssr has a heat sink so is the fan necesary if the box is well ventilated


http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ball-Bearin ... 4ac87a9d58


http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-50-220V-15A ... 337f741314


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-120V-240V-H ... 27bf4469bf


http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-250V-Analog- ... 9795451%26


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solid-State-Rel ... 9795451%26

that first scr ,,, i dont like them ,,, i cant understand how its rated at 15amps for 240v and only be 2000 watts ... Power formula states P=V*I which would be 3600watts ,, thats why i prefer the (SSR-25 VA) with a 500kohm potentiometer ...

EDIT : forgot to mention that there are 2 types of SSR's

SSR - 25 VA - uses a pot to adjust power - usually used in power controllers
SSR - 25 DA - uses a 12vdc triger (ie a PID) to adjust power - usually used in temp controllers mash tuns etc

Thanks for that jayd. That is exactly were I did my resarch but I am just unsure of the componts I want to order. I know what I need to order but want to make sure the components are the correct specs for what I need

Smbjk wrote:Thanks for that jayd. That is exactly were I did my resarch but I am just unsure of the componts I want to order. I know what I need to order but want to make sure the components are the correct specs for what I need

I do realise this...Only folks who are suitably qualified should offer advise to you in this case...

JayD wrote:

Smbjk wrote:Thanks for that jayd. That is exactly were I did my resarch but I am just unsure of the componts I want to order. I know what I need to order but want to make sure the components are the correct specs for what I need

I do realise this...Only folks who are suitably qualified should offer advise to you in this case...

Thanks jayd safety first :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Hey mate, the link JayD posted from punchy21 is good. The one from Mac with his dual element controller is good too and lists the parts.

Firstly, the Fotek SCR you have listed is the wrong one. There are quite a few options, and the one you have listed is the DA model...if you look closely, the input is a low voltage DC signal...so this device is made for controlling the output AC with an extra low voltage (ELV) DC signal. From memory, the one you want is a VA model, but just look at the specs, you should be controlling it with a variable resistor (potentiometer), which will be printed on one of the sets of terminals.

I'm not sure about the AC motor 'dimmer' (dimmer is usually used with lighting :? ), but it looks very cheap...and it also is only rated to 2000w...so you'd only be able to run an element at 3/4 or it would pop (it may pop anyway :-D ). Is this just there as an option alongside the other SSR/SCR controller?

And yes, I would definitely recommend the fan in these boxes. While you have the big heat sinks and ventilation, you really want that fan moving the air through :handgestures-thumbupleft: I've used 2 fans in mine, one per heat sink...probably excessive though. :D

edit: Was posting same time as Linny. Same advice though :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Brendan wrote:Hey mate, the link JayD posted from punchy21 is good. The one from Mac with his dual element controller is good too and lists the parts.

Firstly, the Fotek SCR you have listed is the wrong one. There are quite a few options, and the one you have listed is the DA model...if you look closely, the input is a low voltage DC signal...so this device is made for controlling the output AC with an extra low voltage (ELV) DC signal. From memory, the one you want is a VA model, but just look at the specs, you should be controlling it with a variable resistor (potentiometer), which will be printed on one of the sets of terminals.

I'm not sure about the AC motor 'dimmer' (dimmer is usually used with lighting :? ), but it looks very cheap...and it also is only rated to 2000w...so you'd only be able to run an element at 3/4 or it would pop (it may pop anyway :-D ). Is this just there as an option alongside the other SSR/SCR controller?

And yes, I would definitely recommend the fan in these boxes. While you have the big heat sinks and ventilation, you really want that fan moving the air through :handgestures-thumbupleft: I've used 2 fans in mine, one per heat sink...probably excessive though. :D

edit: Was posting same time as Linny. Same advice though :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks brendan and linny :handgestures-thumbupleft: another question is maybe if I am running 2 2400 elements on a 3" bubbler maybe I wont need a controll box? 2 from heat up and one to run :think:

I got this to try http://www.www.5stardistilling.com.au.com.au/diy-controller-kit/

:angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: don't know how I missed mac's dual element build. Everything there :angry-banghead: 8-}

Smbjk wrote::angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: don't know how I missed mac's dual element build. Everything there :angry-banghead: 8-}

Yep, it's a good one :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Smbjk wrote:
Thanks brendan and linny :handgestures-thumbupleft: another question is maybe if I am running 2 2400 elements on a 3" bubbler maybe I wont need a controll box? 2 from heat up and one to run :think:

Nah mate, I reckon you need more control than that...every 100W change makes a difference, so you need to learn how to run it finely...

Brendan wrote:

Smbjk wrote::angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: don't know how I missed mac's dual element build. Everything there :angry-banghead: 8-}

Yep, it's a good one :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Smbjk wrote:
Thanks brendan and linny :handgestures-thumbupleft: another question is maybe if I am running 2 2400 elements on a 3" bubbler maybe I wont need a controll box? 2 from heat up and one to run :think:

Nah mate, I reckon you need more control than that...every 100W change makes a difference, so you need to learn how to run it finely...

Control box it is :handgestures-thumbupleft:

You only need to control one element...

I'm only going 2 so that I can heat up thicker washes on low heat without burning. ie. Slowly increasing both elements...greater surface area per Watt...

Brendan wrote:You only need to control one element...

I'm only going 2 so that I can heat up thicker washes on low heat without burning. ie. Slowly increasing both elements...greater surface area per Watt...

Yeah mate that was the plan to only control 1 element. Thanks for the tips bro :handgestures-thumbupleft: