In Boil Emergency

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:57 pm

Hi All

I wondered if someone could help me out here. I currently have a boiler full of lager just nearing the boil and just before it gets there the safety switch goes and the power is cut to the element. This is understandably p*ssing me off. It is not a high gravity ale and I de-scaled the element before starting. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can resolve this annoying issue?

The only other thing I can think of is I recently changed the fuse in the plug would that make a difference?

Cheers in advance

John

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:01 pm

Daab told me about this recently - some moisture can get into the wiring or thermostat of the element and this will short it out. something to that effect anyway.

either you have introduced a leak in which case this will be noticeable shortly

or the moisture will be evaporating in the heat and you will be able to resume shortly.

either way - have a cup of tea and chill for 10 minutes!

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:03 pm

So you're saying leave it alone for ten minutes and then go back to it ans plug it back in? Each time it cuts out there is a noticeable click sound.

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:05 pm

http://jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopi ... ht=element

see the above.

that click sound is your thermostat. mine does it too but luckily i have two elements and the other doesn't do it.

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:07 pm

what's the gravity of this lager then? just re-read your first, not high gravity. hmm...

I would dump the whole lot in the fermentor, take the element out and re-wire it, before trying again.

regarding your wort - you've denatured the enzymes and you'll be boiling it all sooner or later so it should be okay even until tomorrow

i'd scoop out any early hops however...

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:09 pm

Gurgeh wrote:that click sound is your thermostat.

That's what directly precedes the element tripping out.

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:09 pm

Gurgeh wrote:what's the gravity of this lager then?

I'm aiming for around 1045 - 1050

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:12 pm

i edited my last instead of replying - see above...

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:13 pm

if you go for that, then try testing that a small volume of water can be boiled before transferring the wort back in.

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:19 pm

Cheers Gurgeh I've let it cool down and plugged it back in and so far it's been going ok, it sounds like usual.

That's tempted fate now hasn't it

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:23 pm

i wouldn't be too surprised if it trips out at that same temp again... in which case i would go for the re-wire.

i would NOT recommend it but you may be able to remove the thermostat entirely. obviously very dangerous though.

J_P · Post by **J_P** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:29 pm

It seems to be ok at the moment, it's boiling but I think the element would benefit from being stripped down and cleaned.

It looks like me Da will be getting a knock in the morning

Gurgeh · Post by **Gurgeh** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:43 pm

nice one!

Enjoy the rest of your brewday then J_P.

BarryNL · Post by **BarryNL** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:07 pm

Probably not much help to you with this brew, but I've removed the safety trips from my heating elements after suffering just such a cut-out.

Obviously, for safety reasons, I couldn't possibly recommend you do this...

Vossy1 · Post by **Vossy1** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:19 pm

Ditto BNL's reply.

When you look for the bimetallic strip make sure there's no sign of liquid ingress which may have been causing the short. I doubt there will be. I recently had 2 elements do the same thing and both were spotlessly clean before use

There is a link somewhere...I'll try and find it

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In Boil Emergency

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