Burco Wiring Question

[danbrew]

Evening all!



Anyone any idea if the white thing is a thermostat/ temperature sensor and how I bypass it?

I managed to get a rolling boil with 10l of water in this (without changing any of the wiring), but am a bit wary of just going for it with a load of fresh wort in it...!

Thanks in advance!

[themadhippy]

Looks more like a neon indicator and normally sits in the green tube.To bypass the stat id put a switch between the 2 black/brown wires,then you can switch between stat control and full on.

[Steve B]

If it is a thermostat don't bother bypasing it - just move it further away from the base of the boiler - it won't activate then.

[jmc]

Hi

If the 'white thing' isn't sealed onto the base its unlikely to be an sensor.

Has it fallen out of the green/blue plastic collar to the left?

Looks like it could reach it and if so its likely to be a power/ heat on indicator.

ATB John

[danbrew]

Has it fallen out of the green/blue plastic collar to the left?

- God I'm such a numpty sometimes! Yes, it is the LED and I remember slotting it back in a while ago - It would have helped if the photo I took wasn't months old!

Now that i think about it again, I think maybe the thermostat is in the switch (mid left) because I can hear an on off 'click' which moves further up the numbered dial on the front of it as the water heats up.

So, my actual question is this - to bypass the switch then, is the only way to do this to connect the incoming mains direct to the element? This means I need to switch on/off direct at the mains plug? When I've done this with a kettle element based boiler, I get sparks/ flashes behind the switch and I'm not keen on getting my hands near them!

To bypass the stat id put a switch between the 2 black/brown wires,then you can switch between stat control and full on.

Is this my solution then and can you elaborate. I think I know what you mean, but what type of switch would I use? When 'full on', would I still need to switch on at the mains plug?

Thanks again guys for answering my questions. I'm determined to get back brewing again one way or another!

[themadhippy]

I think maybe the thermostat is in the switch (mid left)

yep the blue thing is your stat

I think I know what you mean, but what type of switch would I use? When 'full on', would I still need to switch on at the mains plug?

you could use a standard toggle switch rated for at least 13A to bypass the stat,but that wont give you on/off control,you'd still be doing that with the socket,the better way is to use a center off changeover switch,again rated for at least 13A,that way you can switch between stat control /off/ full on something like http://www.maplin.co.uk/ip65-centre-off ... itch-98092 will do , but a pain to fit, a toggle switch would be easier to fit but i cant find a suitable one with a quick google.
crappy picture how to wire in the above switch

[danbrew]

Thanks madhippy! That's great stuff and just what I need to know!