Buffalo Boiler Cutting Out

[Dave S]

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

Maybe you have to be lucky with the thermal fuse - high failure rate etc.

[legion]

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?

I switched to the 152c fuse which blew and I think I may have blown a 167c one too. The 184 is still going strong and am happy with the 130 thermal switch. I no longer have problems with it cutting out.

[Cpt.Frederickson]

Hoping that mine will be the same! Boiling well as we speak...

[igloo]

[quote="legion"]I have had lots off issues with my buffalo boiler cutting out (i do lots of high gravity brews as i maxi biab with it) and judging by the last few brews, sorted it

I changed the temperature control switch from one the standard one which cuts out at 120c to a 130c one

[url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008 ... UTF8&psc=1[/url]

and upped the thermal fuse to a 167c one

[url]http://mobile.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=470[/url][/quote]


Would these also work?.

http://www.sinolec.co.uk/thermal-fuses- ... -fuse.html
http://www.sinolec.co.uk/thermal-fuses- ... -fuse.html

And

http://www.sinolec.co.uk/thermal-fuses- ... losed.html
http://www.sinolec.co.uk/thermal-fuses- ... losed.html

Thanks for the advice.

[TurnDevil]

Not sure if anyone has figured this out yet but I had the same problem with my 40 L Buffalo boiler - as I used this as work several times I can understand why I only get to 50 deg c cut off....simply its the overfill cut off.

Although the water level was at 30L, I had 6Kg of Grain and the overfill cut off works on weight - problem...I need to override it - anyone know how????

It boiled the wort fine - just not with the extra weight before leutering!

[themadhippy]

I had 6Kg of Grain and the overfill cut off works on weight - problem...I need to override it - anyone know how???

unless they've changed the design of the 40 liter buffalo theirs nothing in there that operates on weight or overfilling.Theres a simmer stat,that thing you turn to set the temperature,a thermal link,this is non resetable and operates if the boiler gets to hot,think its rated at 134c and a thermal cutout,this is resettable and operates at a lower temperature , around 120c i think ,and automatically resets when things have cooled down.

[greenxpaddy]

I have had lots off issues with my buffalo boiler cutting out (i do lots of high gravity brews as i maxi biab with it) and judging by the last few brews, sorted it

I changed the temperature control switch from one the standard one which cuts out at 120c to a 130c one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008 ... UTF8&psc=1

and upped the thermal fuse to a 167c one

http://mobile.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=470

My imperial Russian Stout killed my Buffalo at the weekend. Had to finish it off on the stove. That was even with stirring the bottom to keep gunk from burning on the element. It had gone orange light a couple of times before it went - It was 1.105 though

Now when I say killed it. I mean caput. nothing. No lights. Is the thermal fuse reversable or will it have permanently deaded it if it has burnt out? I've checked the plug fuse and its fine.

Any help much appreciated. I don't use the buffalo that much these days just for silly beers like this one! Which makes me think I will need to override something in future or simply put my own element in it.

Ta!

[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!

Sounds just like the problem I had...I got a couple of minor switch-off-orange-light moments toward the end of the previous brew, then death about 10mins into the next
Fortunately, there is a solution...Since replacing the fuse to an upgraded one I've had no dramas. Although I haven't brewed anything quite so insane as that Russian Imperial Stout

[themadhippy]

check the thermal fuse,small bullet shaped thing,covered in white thermal sleaving to the side of the element,whilst in there you could double check the cutout,a dimond shaped thingy bolted in the middle of the element,but they should reset once things have cooled down

[greenxpaddy]

Thanks i have ordered a replacement thermal fuse from Maplin. Looking at the original one it looks like its rated to 144c, so 167c should be the right upgrade....

[greenxpaddy]

I tried to get the old thermal fuse out but it had been crimped into place so had to end up cutting the crimp ends off. That left me with a dilemma how to fit the new one. In the end I cut up a connector block. Only thing is I am not sure how resistant the plastic will be to the very high temperature so near to the element. Does anyone know the temp limit for a connector block?

Thanks

[themadhippy]

t. Does anyone know the temp limit for a connector block

Not enough,think the max temp is around 80c.what you need is a ceramic/porcelain terminal block.For future reference you can open those crimps by squeezing them on the opposite sides to were there crimped with a pair of pliers,they should open enough to pull the wire out,or get a small scredriver in to open further.Final tip,dont try soldering the wire to the fuse

[greenxpaddy]

Might get rid of the plastic then and just sheath the metal connector with the sheath that came over the original.

[lord groan]

Porcelain connector block ?
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electri ... 460/p76007

[greenxpaddy]

Porcelain connector block ?
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electri ... 460/p76007

Thanks. Ordered and arrived today. Will test tomorrow if I get chance.

Edit- it's fixed!