Haden element and metal fixing nut (affecting thermometer)

[techtone]

I replaced the element in my Ritches plastic boiler which has the built in thermostat. The thermostat was fine with the old element, both of which are 2.4 kw. However with the new element, the thermostat keeps cutting out. I forget the exact temperature but something like 75C. The new haden element (from home brew show) came as advertised with a metal fixing nut. I'm wondering if the metal nut is transferring more heat to the metal plate that the thermostat connects to? i.e. If I use the original plastic nut, will this solve the problem. (There is no washer between the metal plate and the nut, maybe there should be???) Unless the problem is that the thermostat now sits closer to the boiler and needs extra washers but I cannot see how. Alternatively, maybe its just the design of the element thats causes more heat transfer?? I know I can just bypass the thermostat with a different lead but I would prefer not to have to. Anyone know if the metal nut is the problem.

I also found the electrical connection prongs are very small with the haden element and most leads do not fit well at all (even proper heat rated kettle plugs). That is the problem that eventually broke the old element as the prongs were sparking in the lead. However the Haden element is much worse. Anyone else seen this either??

[techtone]

P.S. One other observation with the haden element, it came with a label saying to make sure it is kept perfectly clean as the cut-out is not-resettable. Given that my old element, cut out a couple of times (over the years) requiring the element to have an extra clean, does that mean that in that situation my new element would be permanently dead? Is a non-resettable cutout more forgiving than a resettable one? (Just seems a bit extreme, given that I rely on a single element on brew day)

[Normski]

Hi TT
Yeah I also had a problem with the short pins. I wasn’t happy to boil for 60-90 min’s with pins that barely made contact.
I lost faith in them when I saw a tiny spot of rust, it was unused.
I gave up and returned them to the Shop.
Norm

[nigebeer]

That's interesting I have just purchased a new 2.4kw element complete with the steel nut and after reading the instructions regarding the non re-setable cutout, I contacted Peco and explained my concerns.

Their reply was :- Sorry about the confusing instructions. The wording is incorrect and a mistake on our part. The new element definitely does not have a thermal cut-out so is safe to boil away with!

I will ensure the instructions are changed.

[techtone]

I forgot to check back this thread but thanks for the replies. Good to know about the "wording mistake" assuming the reply can be trusted!

Did you have a problem with the metal ring or do you not have the thermostat. I have had to remove the thermostat completely now from the boiler. It seems the steel nut is somehow different to the plastic one so they cannot be interchanged.