Boiler Upgrade with Phase Angle Regulator

[Anavrin]

Hi Guy's

I just fitted a United Automation 25Amp Variable Phase Angle Regulator to control my boiler and hopefully get a nice rolling boil, the boiler
is a 50lt stockpot with a 3KW immersion element, It boils pretty viciously and I was loosing a good 5 litres of a 25 litre batch, heres some pics
of the upgrade

Heres the Regulator, I've already wired it into a switched 13amp spur


Close up of the inside wiring


Now fitted to the wall


MMMM think it might be a little difficult to move and clean the boiler now its permanently wired to the wall lol


Bought some 16amp rated IEC connectors so I can safely disconnect the boiler


Also decided to insulate the stockpot with a good old camping mat, might get some silver bubble insulation to add another layer

Also used another mat on the HLT


All finished


I've got a brew day tomorrow so I'll let you know how I get on

[liquidman]

Looks good!

I'm a bit rubbish with electrics, but whats the benifit in having a 30amp fuse in you regulator if its running off of a 13amp spur? surely its just going to blow the 13 amp fuse in the switched spur when it starts drawing load?

A

[daz c]

nice idea but a bit expensive

[Anavrin]

The 13 amp fuse it just about big enough for the 3KW load, 3000W/240V = 12.5Amps

The 30 amp fuse is to protect the triac in the regulator, its maximum current rating is 41 amp before it go's short/open circuit, the 13 amp fuse in the spur will protect everything, however as fault currents normally range in the 100's of amps, its quite possible that the 30 amp semi-conductor fuse in the regulator will go first as its a faster blowing fuse.

It is expensive, it cost £78 +vat and delivery which equaled about £100 delivered but it's one of very few solutions available, also when you add up what we spend on our hobby its not the most expensive item by far, plus it will save on the electric bill during the boil.

[Anavrin]

Just finished todays brew, I was able to turn it down half way and keep a nice rolling boil, it operates from max to min 0%-50% of the ac waveform so half way is a 25% reduction in power and it made a big difference with the boil off, its down to about 10% now so a normal level.

Also for the first time my cooker hood could handle the steam without too much condensing and dripping back down

[gnutz2]

I use a 3kw element for 25l brews!

My boil volume is 34l

I actually thought i would have to upgrade to two elements if i upgraded to 50l brews.

I'll just buy a bigger stock pot and use my current element then.

[Anavrin]

Yeah I'd just go for a bigger pot and keep you existing element to see how you get on, I did a 30 litre brew yesterday, it's about as much as I'd do in a 50 lt boiler to allow space above the wort, it got to the boil pretty quickly so I'm guessing it could do a 50lt batch if the pot was big enough, the insulation really helped and it's just a £7 camping mat, plus you could always add a second element to help it get to the boil then switch that one off when gets to the boil