I used a 10uf electrolytic capacitor and soldered it in, so I will see if it works. After I did more looking I suppose I needed a 20uf capacitor. I have a couple more days waiting for the proverbial slow boat from China before I will know though..
Did you get the polarity right when you soldered the capacitor in place? Polarity matters with electrolytic capacitors.
freddyb said:I used a PWM kit from Bakatronics #FK804, cost $8, and swapped a capacitor to reduce the cycle time to 1Hz (also calculated the cap value for 1/2 Hz but deemed it unnecessarily slow). Hooked the output directly to the SSR and it worked great in my new 5500W brew kettle.
My understanding of SSRs is that the faster you cycle them, the hotter they run. That and how much current they're handling.
This question may have been asked but, all I have to do with the Bakatronics #FK804 kit is replace the kits C1 cap with a 2.2uF cap and everything should work fine? Nothing else needs to be modified on the FK804 circuit board?
Thanks
freddyb said:Correct.
I use a 2.2uF cap and it works great, around 1 second cycle time. I recall finding an error (or typo) with the calculations provided with the kit but I don't recall exactly what it was.
I've done quite a few batches using this system and I absolutely love it. Very "responsive" with my 5.5kW element, even with a full 13.5 gallons in the BK. I can go from rolling boil to gentle boil and back to rolling in a few seconds by adjusting the potentiometer. I put a big knob on there so it looks sweet too.
wrench said:In this kit, the capacitor I want to swap out is C1, correct?
freddyb said:I use a 2.2uF cap and it works great, around 1 second cycle time. I recall finding an error (or typo) with the calculations provided with the kit but I don't recall exactly what it was.
I've done quite a few batches using this system and I absolutely love it. Very "responsive" with my 5.5kW element, even with a full 13.5 gallons in the BK. I can go from rolling boil to gentle boil and back to rolling in a few seconds by adjusting the potentiometer. I put a big knob on there so it looks sweet too.
tsisson said:That should work. I used part # 272-997 2.2µF 50V 20% Nonpolarized Electrolytic Capacitor 9,000Hz.
I used a PWM kit from Bakatronics #FK804, cost $8, and swapped a capacitor to reduce the cycle time to 1Hz (also calculated the cap value for 1/2 Hz but deemed it unnecessarily slow). Hooked the output directly to the SSR and it worked great in my new 5500W brew kettle.
My understanding of SSRs is that the faster you cycle them, the hotter they run. That and how much current they're handling.
disclaimer: I am not an electrician - just a DIY guy with some tech fun.
SSRs are triggered by the PWM unit. The voltage and amperage you switch with the SSR is independent from the low-voltage side (trigger).
Meaning the pulse from the PWM, i.e. on 5V and a few milli-amps, should be fine. One thing to consider is the pulse setting as noted about with the capacitors. does this make sense?
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