13A/3kw temperature controller?

[Kev888]

Yes possibly; it does seem a bit short-sighted. I'm not sure who the manufacturers actually are though; I've seen a few differently branded versions - some appear to be from China..

I'm sure you could hack the box and either replace or swap the relays, but mine were in warranty at the time of conversion, so it just seemed better to add a second external relay.

Cheers
Kev

[troublebrewing]

I thoroughly dismantled an STC-lookalike not long ago (for the hell of it, well, it was a knackered old thing, so nothing ventured, nothing gained), and found nothing that I could even recognise as looking anything how I thought a relay should look like. They must be tiny or just buried away so well they are virtually impossible to see. I'll post a pic of the thing sometime to show y'all.

Don't get too excited though!

[Blackaddler]

It looks like they're manufactured by a company called Jiangsu Jingchuang Electronics Co., Ltd. under the brand names of Elitech and KI&BNT [perhaps more].

Although no brand name or manufacturer appears anywhere on the box or literature that came with the unit I have.

[Kev888]

Ah yes, those are the brand names i've seen too. I got all mine from Forttex, and none of them have a brand name on the unit itself either, possibly doing themselves a dis-service really as they go the extra mile in providing their own support site for the things.

Perhaps similar to the higher resolution TC-10 modules that I also got from them - though still not rated to the full 13A/3kw. Though in this case there is quite a markup for the TC-10 over the chinese suppliers of similar 'looking' things, so not sure if they're identical or not.

Cheers
Kev

[Blue Sky]

FWIW, you can get 30A/6kW digital thermostat (STC-1000-esque/faux) on Ebay for £14 >>One Example Here<<

Only 'single channel' though ...but fine for an HLT.

[Andy]

FWIW, you can get 30A/6kW digital thermostat (STC-1000-esque/faux) on Ebay for £14 >>One Example Here<<

Only 'single channel' though ...but fine for an HLT.

There's a UK supplier of the same item on ebay, I've recently ordered one from him.

[Kev888]

Ah, very interesting. Seems like the manufacturers are finally catching uo with requirements

Cheers
Kev

[troublebrewing]

All our STC-1000 units will ship from now on (today) with a 40A relay on the heating side. I'll need to add a few quid on the current price, so you might beat me to it if you want to order one. Hopefully this will broaden the appeal of this particular unit with the capacity to run your HLT's.

[rimski]

I have a question

I have recently bought an HLT with a 3kw heating element and I run it through a plug set up with an STC1000 the HLT works perfectly but the plug get massively hot is this because

a - The plug at 13a isn't advisable to run the element
b - The STC relay causes the overheating

Or should I just really be running the HLT direct from the control unti instead of from the plug

(I can post pictures of the set up after work)

[troublebrewing]

To your knowledge, is there a supplementary relay in the STC housing?

What do you mean by, 'running the HLT direct from the control unit'? How else are you running it?

[Kev888]

the plug get massively hot is this because

a - The plug at 13a isn't advisable to run the element
b - The STC relay causes the overheating

A 3kw element is within (though on the limit of) what a 13A plug and socket are rated for; it should NOT get massively hot - something is wrong!!! Assuming the element isn't faulty, its likely the socket and/or plug is giving a poor contact; take great care as the heat could cause it to degrade further and start a vicious spiral and ultimately a fire. I'd get the plug and socket replaced as soon as possible.

I use 13A plugs and sockets on a 3kw immersion element and they get at the very most 'mildly warmer' than the surroundings but no more, not even after many hours of continuous use; previously I had a 3kw burco boiler (complete with manufacturer fitted13A plug) and so all told the sockets have done years of service. I have, however made sure I'm using good quality sockets - in my case made by MK; I understand the budget brands can wear out quite quickly under this sort of use. (A 16Amp industrial socket would be better, but I wanted to be able to use the boiler elsewhere).

As mentioned above though; the STC's internal relay isn't rated to switch 3kw (unless its changed recently, anyway), if you aren't running it through an external, more capable relay then it won't last very long. But if its that which is causing the heat then it may already be too late for it - lets hope its just the socket!

Cheers
Kev

[testtube]

The Link Blue Sky gave isn't a stc, but is rated to 30A.. I used a heavy duty extension lead for mine, it doesn't go wobbly, 16A cable, think it's a case of don't use crap.. Ideally like Kev says 16A sockets..

[rimski]

There must have been something wrong with the plug as I have replaced it with a brand new one and the plug doesn't overheat now it doesn't get that warm now.
So a lesson learned there "Don't use plugs that are lying around"

What do you mean by, 'running the HLT direct from the control unit'? How else are you running it?

[troublebrewing]

Looks neat, Rimski - any idea what's in the box? Is there an extra relay?

[Blackaddler]

FWIW, you can get 30A/6kW digital thermostat (STC-1000-esque/faux) on Ebay for £14 >>One Example Here<<

Only 'single channel' though ...but fine for an HLT.

What's the length of the NTC sensor cable on this one, please?

Does anyone know if NTC type cables can be made more user friendly, by using something like K-type thermocouple connectors...


Although I have a feeling I already know the answer to this one...