Have I killed my Burco?

[Lime Corridor]

Hi All,

Tres depressing weekend! Managed to squeeze a brew in starting bright and early Saturday morning, this was my first for a while so I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. My hardworking 30l Burco (model C26H2) gave up third of the way in to the boil. Bad times. Due to other commitments on Saturday afternoon, there was nothing else for it but 30l of beautiful wort to go down the drain. Mrs. Corridor commented that she has never seen me so down.

Anyway, after investigation, one of the wires was fried. I have replaced it, but it would appear that the thermostat/controller has had it, so I have another one on order, but that won’t be here for at least another week…although it could be the element itself. Does this sound familiar to anybody? Have you done this yourself ie had a burn out, replaced the thermostat? I would love to hear from you, even if it is simply to commiserate with me about what could possibly have been the greatest beer I was ever going to make.

LC

[tigerpaws]

It is more than likely the contacts in the stat have gone.

If you do a resistance test across the element poles you should get a reading of approx 30ohms

I get heaters back at work which have charred cables on them. Usually caused by poor crimps

[Lime Corridor]

thanks tigerpaws. Although I have not done a resistance test, it sounds like you are on the money, one of the contacts was a in a charred state.

Good news, I have just received a phone call to say that my replacement thermostat has arrived. St Arnold looking down upon me?

LC

[themadhippy]

Also there could be a thermal fuse hidden somewere,if things have got hot it might have melted

[Lime Corridor]

Thanks themadhippy, I look forward to taking it totally to bits and see what I can see.

I now have the replacement thermostat dially thing in hand and there seem to be a few more contacts on it than the original…could be fun putting it back together tonight. I took a photo of how it was originally, but I wasn’t expecting the extra contacts. There seem to be some numbers on there and as memory serves there are numbers on the original – I hope they match. Any suggestions are most welcome. Can you tell that I am not a qualified electrician?

LC

[themadhippy]

Have you got a multimeter?if so test each contact against each other,operating the stat (should hear tt clicking) and work out what goes were,how many wires were on the origanal 2,3 or lots?

[Lime Corridor]

Have you got a multimeter?if so test each contact against each other,operating the stat (should hear tt clicking) and work out what goes were,how many wires were on the origanal 2,3 or lots?

A trip to Maplins for me at lunch to purchase a multimeter. Do you think that this one will do the business:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ut-30b-digital- ... eter-46498

Gentlemen, I embarking upon a voyage of discovery!

From memory, two going from thermostat to element (both grey) and a brown and a blue going from the thermostat to the mains. There is an earth as well, but fairly confident that I haven't touched this.

LC

[tigerpaws]

Take a pic of the new stat.

And of the old and I will let you know what how's where

p.s. what is your new stat.

[themadhippy]

more than enough,the yellow £7.99 model would even do it.

[alix101]

I ended up bypassing my stat altogether they just can't take the constant boil,I've not had any problems since although you lose control .... its boil only.

[Dave S]

I ended up bypassing my stat altogether they just can't take the constant boil,I've not had any problems since although you lose control .... its boil only.

I went for the 40l Buffalo which, with the thermostat set at 110C sustains an excellent rolling boil - provided you clean the element plate really well after each brew.

[Lime Corridor]

Take a pic of the new stat.

And of the old and I will let you know what how's where

p.s. what is your new stat.

Thanks, will do this evening.

Multimeter purchased.

By passing the thermostat sounds interesting. I was hoping that I would not have to do this as I have had 23 brews out of this one without trouble.

LC

[Touchstone]

My Burco stat gave up so I by-passed it & just get a continuous boil now , better off without it

[Lime Corridor]

OK, multimeter purchased, crikey it feels like I have gone backwards in the education stakes here! I am going to receive a tutorial from a friend later this week. The new thermostat/simmerstat that I purchased yesterday, although I am sure that it exactly the same it looks very complicated and I have failed to take any pictures of it (brilliant!). Anyway, this and the recommendations from others got me thinking that the thing that I need to do is to by pass the thermostat/simmerstat. I use my Burco as a copper only, therefore control is not important. So advice please. After, doing some reading around I need to:

1. Remove and discard grey wire that runs from element to thermostat (this is the original wire that burnt out for me).
2. Remove blue wire from thermostat and place on the contact on the element that I have just freed up from the above action.

Firstly, does this sound like a plan? So, doing the above means when I am plugged into the mains I am ‘on’. Secondly, I guess I leave all other wiring (brown) where it is?

If this works, I can return the stat and £16 goes back in the brewing fund!

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, you have been super helpful so far.

LC

[themadhippy]

were does the brown wire go at the moment?