logo                   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Login


2 Pages12>
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Offline 1Biker77  
#1 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 9:49:57 AM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

"After a LOT of procrastination I have started my build. I came across two 15.5 gallon kegs on craigslist rather cheaply, one will be a future propane broiler, the other I am going electric. I purchased a 4500 watt element and a 1"" copper female fitting from Lowe's, and I am planning to use this RSC from Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight...speed-control-43060.html

Has anyone used this RSC before? Any thoughts? I only have 120v available to me where I have my equipment set up, though I am hoping to have 240 in the future."
Offline squerly  
#2 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 11:45:58 AM(UTC)
squerly


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/13/2012(UTC)
Posts: 33

You're going to use the RSC to control the 4500 watt element?
Offline 1Biker77  
#3 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 2:33:06 PM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Yep, that's the plan.
Offline squerly  
#4 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 5:35:05 PM(UTC)
squerly


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/13/2012(UTC)
Posts: 33

I had never thought about using a speed controller for that purpose, generally they're used to regulate the speed of a motor. It seems logical it would work though but I'm thinking a call to your local electrical supply would be in order. But.. all of the 4500 watt elements I Googled were 240 watt elements and I think you said all you had was 120. If that is the case, and you're hoping to run a 240 element with 120 you're going to have problems. Also, I think the 4500 watt element pulls more than 15 amps and the controller you linked to will only handle 15 amps.
Offline 1Biker77  
#5 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 5:55:01 PM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Doesn't quite work that way. An element will not pull power from a circuit, rather the circuit pushes to the element. A 4500 watt 240 volt element will only pull 10 amps when feed 120v, so I am well within 15 amps. The rsc/element is a rather common configuration here, I was just curious if any one here had used that particular rsc, and if so, how well it holds up.
Offline 1Biker77  
#6 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 6:00:31 PM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Entering "beer keg (going electric)" will go considerably more in depth with this type of setup if you wish to become more familiar with it.
Offline nomampoer  
#7 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 6:11:58 PM(UTC)
nomampoer


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/31/2013(UTC)
Posts: 10

Originally Posted by: 1Biker77 Go to Quoted Post
Doesn't quite work that way. An element will not pull power from a circuit, rather the circuit pushes to the element. A 4500 watt 240 volt element will only pull 10 amps when feed 120v, so I am well within 15 amps. The rsc/element is a rather common configuration here, I was just curious if any one here had used that particular rsc, and if so, how well it holds up.

1Biker77 I think you need to talk to an electrical engineer before you go ahead.a 4500 watt element will draw 18.75 amps at 240 volts and 37.5 amps at 120 volts.If one is to believe Ohm's law a=w/v
Offline 1Biker77  
#8 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 6:21:37 PM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Wrong. A 4500 watt 240v that is fed 120v is going to run at 1125 watts. Please use the search bar prior to telling me it won't work, it will work fine. My question was weather anyone on this board has used this particular rsc, and if so, how well it holds up to the abuse.
Offline 1Biker77  
#9 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 6:29:36 PM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

By the way, the correct amp is 9.375. The math is (120/240) 2=.5x.5=.25
.25 of 4500 is 1125. 1125÷120v comes out to 9.375 amps, well within 15
Offline nomampoer  
#10 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 6:56:13 PM(UTC)
nomampoer


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/31/2013(UTC)
Posts: 10

My rsc fried at 240 v with a 3000 w element.Amp meter was reading somethingaround 13.5 amps my voltage supply is actually closer to 220v
Offline scotty  
#11 Posted : Friday, November 01, 2013 11:38:03 PM(UTC)
scotty


Rank: Senior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209

Some information on electric water heater elements



WE START WITH A HEAT ELEMENT THAT IS 240 VOLTS AND 6000 WATTS. WE WILL USE FORMULAS INSTEAD OF AN OHMMETER TO CALCULATE
THE RESISTANCE OF THE ELEMENT. There are more direct formulas available but let us work with the most common and easiest to manipulate.

FORMULA #1 the basic ohms law formula (((E=IXR)))
E = Electromotivr force in (((VOLTS
I = Current in (((AMPS))
R = Resistance in (((ohms)))

FORMULA # 2 the basic power/watts formula. (((P=IXE)))
P = POWER IN (((WATTS)))-- I and E are defined in formula 1

OK NOW LETS FIGURE THE APROXIMATE current drawn by THE HEAT ELEMENT.-- ONCE WE HAVE THAT WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH


USING FORMULA #2-- P=IXE WE HAVE 6000=IX240 or I=6000/240 which equals 25 Then I=25 amps drawn at 240 volts applied to the heat element.

using formula 1 we can find the approximate resistance of the heat element E=IXR or 240=25xR so R=240/25=9.6 ohms of resistance


(((((PLEASE NOTE)))) that the resistance of the heat element does not change when diferent voltages are applied

(((((OK NOW LETS FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR 6000WATT 240 VOLT ELEMENT WHEN ONLY 120 VOLTS IS APPLIED


USING THE BASIC OHMS LAW FORMULA, WE CALCULATE E=IX9.6 OR 120VOLTS= I X 9.6 OHMS RESISTANCE OR 120/9.6=12.5 amps


(((( FINALLY WE HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO CALCULATE THE WATTAGE OUTPUT DELIVERED AT 120 VOLTS

P IN WATTS = 12.5 AMPS X 120 VOLTS

OR 12.5X 120 = 1500 WATTS OUTPUT

SO WHEN YOU APPLY 120 VOLTS TO A 240 VOLT ELEMENT, THE OUTPUT WATTAGE IS REDUCED TO 25% OF ITS RATED WATTAGE..

DO NOT APPLY 240 VOLTS TO AN ELEMENT RATED FOR 120 VOLTS
Last edited by scotty; 09-01-2012 at 10:42 AM.
Offline squerly  
#12 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 12:53:07 AM(UTC)
squerly


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/13/2012(UTC)
Posts: 33

Very well presented answer Scotty, nicely done. I'm always impressed when someone knows so much more than I do about a particular subject. As you can see, I spend a lot of time being impressed, :) But the questions remains, will the rsc work and if so, how well will it hold up???
Offline scotty  
#13 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 1:08:34 AM(UTC)
scotty


Rank: Senior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209

I apply both 240 and 120 to my 15 gallon ps2. I use a relay system When temperature rise is seen at the base of the tower the system switches to apply 120 volts to the 240 volt 6KW element. Now I have an applied 1500 at full power. However, I keep my rsc in this 120 volt circuit. I have found that in my application, that running the RSC at 80% eventually gives me the very slow drip that I consider best for a purer vodka or whiskey.
Since rsc controls that I have seen come in either 120 or 240 I chose to do the relay system driven by some sort of thermostat. I use PID controls mainly because I cant seem to learn PLCs.
Offline scotty  
#14 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 1:13:13 AM(UTC)
scotty


Rank: Senior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209

I just added this to my original post

((( AND )))__ You can apply 120 to a 240 element (((but ))) CAN NOT apply 220 volts to a 120 element.
Offline 1Biker77  
#15 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 1:26:42 AM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Gonna have to keep an eye out for one of those 6k elements. My small town hardware store only had 4.5k. :-(
Offline 1Biker77  
#16 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 1:30:49 AM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

Well I'll just buy the Harbor Freight model and give it a run. It's only 20 bucks, so it's not to painful if it decides to burn out.

As I understand it, the grounding basically consists of runninga self tapping screw into the rail of the keg, correct?
Offline scotty  
#17 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 2:12:17 AM(UTC)
scotty


Rank: Senior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 7/25/2009(UTC)
Posts: 2,209

Originally Posted by: 1Biker77 Go to Quoted Post
Well I'll just buy the Harbor Freight model and give it a run. It's only 20 bucks, so it's not to painful if it decides to burn out.

As I understand it, the grounding basically consists of runninga self tapping screw into the rail of the keg, correct?


Mistake-- get the better RSC. Many folks had burn outs with bottom end ones Just my opinion.


Grounding from where to where???

The rsc IS A 3 PRONG PLUG.
Offline dieselduo  
#18 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 2:48:24 AM(UTC)
dieselduo


Rank: Senior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/24/2012(UTC)
Posts: 630

Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 13 time(s) in 13 post(s)
I agree with Scotty. Get a 20 amp RSC as I burned out 2, 15 amp ones quickly and have had no trouble with a 20 amp one in over a year.
Offline nomampoer  
#19 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 3:29:28 AM(UTC)
nomampoer


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/31/2013(UTC)
Posts: 10

Just wondering.......are we talking single phase power supply here?
Offline 1Biker77  
#20 Posted : Saturday, November 02, 2013 3:35:16 AM(UTC)
1Biker77


Rank: Junior Member

Reputation:

Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2011(UTC)
Posts: 28

I am referring to the 3 prong plug from the rsc to the keg. The element gets the hot and neutral, but the ground goes to the keg itself, yes?
Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
2 Pages12>
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.