Buffalo Boiler Cutting Out

[Addled Jim]

I stood it on plywood, resting on my kitchen stool?

[thirdlight]

Try raising it a bit. I have mine on 4 bricks - lets the air circulate.

[Addled Jim]

ok cheers

[Addled Jim]

I've had enough, having limped through my first brew I'm attempting brew 2 today, my temperature dial is still bypassed and the thermal fuse moved away from the base/element - It managed to work for brew 1
Today it cut out again despite last time, when attempting to reach the boil, so I put the wort into 2 FV's, and in desperation disconnected/cut out the thermal fuse and taped it up, however its still cutting out - what else can it be?

[themadhippy]

in desperation disconnected the thermal fuse and taped it up, however its still cutting out - what else can it be?

put the thermal fuse back,its there as a final protection for the element.The thing that needs bypassing is the thermal switch mounted in the middle of the element.

[Addled Jim]

what the two terminals bang in the middle?

[themadhippy]

what the two terminals bang in the middle?

yep thats the kiddy

[Addled Jim]

cool, screwdriver time again - I love Bank Holidays, so relaxing!!
Thanks,

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Legion, how has the boiler got on since the modifications you've made? I think the thermal fuse is causing hassle at the moment (boiler won't power on at all now, started to cut out on the last brew) so considering popping down to Maplin to try out your suggestion.
Certainly sounds a safer bet than just bypassing it!

[legion]

The 130c cut off kicked in for a short while during my last brew. but that was when i was brewing a short brew length belgium tripel. But it would still boil for a while each time it had cooled down and powered the heater back on again. i scraped the element and it didnt cut out again.

before i had removed half the wort into another vessel it had no issue at all coping with the high gravity brew. other than that minor issue it has been working great

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Awesome. Best get myself down to Maplin for the fuse first off as that seems to be the primary problem, and order a cut off sometime soon.
Cheers Legion, I may have saved my brew and my buffalo!

[legion]

I think its the 184c thermal fuse that i am using. i have opened up the boiler this morning to check but can not see the value due its cover.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Tested it out this morning by snipping out the fuse and bypassing it, and lo and behold, there is life! Seems the standard fuse is rated to 144c so off to Maplins to get a couple of higher rated ones as you suggest. Also thinking of replacing the cut off, do you think the 130c will suffice or should i get a 140c?

[Dave S]

I'm surprised so many people have problems with these. I've been using mine for well over a year and, apart from cutting out once due to a mucky element it has given faultless service. I have to keep my fingers crossed while saying that

[Cpt.Frederickson]

It was much the same for me for the first 6+ brews, first time it's ever had a problem! But at least it's a fairly easy fix