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Issues with Boiler Elements
Hey Gents,I’ve maxed out my budget and I’m trying to get my boiler up and running before christmas.I have a couple things tripping me up.1st is, the 10ga wire i scrounged for this project looks too girthy to securely connect to the terminals.
2nd, I want something to protect this connection so nothing gets bumped loose or, god forbid, splashed.
What’s the best way to connect this to my controller?I’m wiring up an auberins DSPR1 SSR in an old skilsaw case so it can be stored incognito. -
11 Replies
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A poor man’s way would be to form the wires into a loop, so it fits under the screw.Then tin the wire loop with solder for mechanical strength before screwing it on so the wire doesn’t squirm out from under the screw. Next “pot” the connection with epoxy or RTV to act like a strain relief and insulation. It’s not the best way but it’s cheap and effective. Use a rattle paint can lid for the form.The downside is it will be difficult to fix future problems such as retightening the screws when they loosen due to heat.
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Use crimp connectors, preferably the type with a hole.
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Crimp will work but they also can have problems.It’s best to use “high temp crimp connectors” and the proper tool for this.
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If I’m worried about contact, I run a bit of solder into the crimp.
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I have all that on hand.This only needs to last for 10-15 runs. If/when she acts up, I’ll be uprading to a triclamp bulkhead fitting with a female NPT adapter so I don’t have to struggle with that Fricken nut inside the keg again.These, I don’t haveI’m guessing the proper tool is not my lineman’s pliers?
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Instead of a hand crimp plier I made a crimp for making up battery cables and use a 12 ton press for the squeeze. Just a piece of scrap plate steel with a hole drilled in it. Cut it in half through the hole and squeeze away. Add some solder after the squeeze and never have problems.Just make one for the size of crimp connectors you need to use.”What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance”Marcus AureliusI’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
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I’ve been there and done that.It took some ingenuity. Get an adapter that’s NPS, the threads on hot water elements are straight, not tapered.
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Crimp, solder and heat shrink.
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I’ve been there and done that.It took some ingenuity. Get an adapter that’s NPS, the threads on hot water elements are straight, not tapered. I will have to remember that.
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Had to dremel the wire to get it to fit under the screws, but it worked!
redneck potting is curing
Definitely not a permanent solution, but here’s hoping it will get me through until after new year’s.I love this place. -
Close enough to getter done, the red wire looks good. The black wire needed at least 180 degrees of wrap like the red wire had. Better yet a full 360 degrees to form a full loop.But it’s done now and will work.
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