Anyone use Camco 5.5KW elements?

[Aaron]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like i'll have to get the supply sorted out and avoid the Camcos. Can anyone tell me what a pulse-width modulator is?

[Fil]

PWM is a power control protocol when implemented in a control circuit allows you to dial down the power supplied to your element.

generally used with elements on a boil kettle so a steady boil can be maintained, for a hlt most folk use temperature controllers as specific target temperatures are desired.

[Aaron]

Ok things are becoming a little clearer. The building i'm planning on setting up in is a farm dairy building with what appear (i don't know for certain) to be fairly beefy electrics. How many amps would it need to supply if I ran two 5500W elements at the same time? Second question; what kind of temp contoller would I need to control a 5500W element (in HLT), and what kind of PWM would I need to control one in the boiler?

Many thanks in advance.

[Fil]

dont forget all the other electrical devices pumps control circuits, lighting, heating , hot water? a kettle for making tea etc...

off the top of my head your looking at about 22amps per element so 45 amps to power 2, so probably a 60 or 90amp feed.

but on such a large scale its got to be worth getting a qualified electrician in to sort it for you


for hlt control a pid with a suitably rated SSR 40a? something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-PID-T ... 43cfe46d37 perhaps, i use the sestos pids which are similar in operation to the expensive auber ones. Or simply something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220V-Digital- ... 43c08e2811
a pid really is only necessary on an industrial scale, and is probably just a nice toy for most hobby brewers deffo in my case

To switch, for the boiler a reistance controlled ssr like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SSR-40VA-40A- ... 43bc2e8c9a
with something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DiMarzio-EP12 ... 2a44a9f3f5 bridging terminals 3 and 4 to control the output.

add a heatsink, box, sticky backed dial and a power meter to indicate the output and your done.

[Aaron]

Thanks Fil. Very helpful.