Beer Forum

I have a Ranco controller I want to use with a 120, volt 1600 or 2000 watt water heating element. Is the Ranco good for this or do a need to use a mechanical relay?

Does the Ranco controller have a current rating? At 1600 watts, you'll be over 13 amps. 2000 watts puts you at 16.7 amps. Might be good to use a relay to isolate the Ranco in case of a voltage spike.

+1 Relay is safer (assuming all of your connections, amperage ratings, etc, are good too).

I have the equipment already so I might as well use it. Better to be safe. Thanks for the help.

These controllers are basically PID's with a relay already built in. You can go for a larger relay but you are complicating things. You should have purchased them individually (PID and Relay) vs. the Ranco and adding another relay.

Check this website;

http://www.etcsupply.com/which-etc-model-need-a-6.html

looks like 16 Amps for the 120V unit.

I run 4500W on the HLT and 1500W on the RIMS. I have a friend who uses 1500W to heat the HLT, but takes way too long. My 4500W leg is a 90Amp relay into 240V dryer/welder outlet in the garage. Built all my own PID/Relay/Thermocouple circuits. $25 PID's, $30 relay, $16 type K Thermocouple, + wiring and housing (old tool box).

FYI.

wicked willie wrote:I have a Ranco controller I want to use with a 120, volt 1600 or 2000 watt water heating element. Is the Ranco good for this or do a need to use a mechanical relay?

I've been doing it for years w/ a 1000W bucket heater. Use it to heat my strike water overnight. Get up, mash in. (Some times get up really early, mash in, go back to bed for an hour) Pitched and cleaned-up by noon. Saves a ton of propane, too.