What did you do in the 'workshop' today

[Sutty]

2x40w in a standard under counter size fridge is ample - the problem is, a lot of these tubular heater have thermal cutouts which kick in well below 40°C regardless of having an external thermostat like the STC1000

My dimplex ones, turned up full, work fine with an external thermostat.
Tall fridge, so I can fit 3 buckets in at once.

 

[The Poot]

2x40w in a standard under counter size fridge is ample - the problem is, a lot of these tubular heater have thermal cutouts which kick in well below 40°C regardless of having an external thermostat like the STC1000

I think that’s about right - it reaches exactly 30c and stays there. A rethink is in order.

 

[The Poot]

How big is the cabinet? How insulated? And how big a heater? What brand?
Maybe it's just underpowered.
I have 2x40w heaters in my old fridge.

It’s quite small, just able to fit two rectangular tubs containing about 18lbs of honey each. Insulated with polystyrene and celotex. Heater is one 60w tube heater with in built thermostat.

 

[Sutty]

It’s quite small, just able to fit two rectangular tubs containing about 18lbs of honey each. Insulated with polystyrene and celotex. Heater is one 60w tube heater with in built thermostat.

Considering mine very easily takes 3 buckets, and could probably take more, able to reach 45C with 2x 40W, it sounds like the built in thermostat is stopping it. You may need different heaters.
Mine are dimplex 40W.
Just a thought - are your tube heaters horizontal?

 

[The Poot]

Considering mine very easily takes 3 buckets, and could probably take more, able to reach 45C with 2x 40W, it sounds like the built in thermostat is stopping it. You may need different heaters.
Mine are dimplex 40W.
Just a thought - are your tube heaters horizontal?

Yes horizontal. I had a 40w Dimplex which only lasted a season! But it did heat up more than this one, but I had only used it with jars, not tubs.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I gave up on using tubular heaters because the inbuilt thermostat took over. Found this incubator element from Solway Feeders. This needs to be supported off the bottom of the box with ceramic insulators.

 

[The Poot]

I gave up on using tubular heaters because the inbuilt thermostat took over. Found this incubator element from Solway Feeders. This needs to be supported off the bottom of the box with ceramic insulators.

That might be the way forward. Thank you. How to control temperature?

 

[pargyle]

Can you get a 25lb bucket into the jam maker? Would the klarstein one do?

You can get a 30lb square or round bucket in the jam maker ... I think the Klarstein one that Dani has is the same size so ... yes.

Ahh ..looks like I'm late to the party !

 

[Parsonage Bees]

That might be the way forward. Thank you. How to control temperature?

An STC1000 from Amazon came with a thermocouple.
I followed some instructions from an aquarium website. I'm a liability when it comes to electrics but it's worked OK for several years. (Which reminds me. The computer fan I added to circulate the air seems to have died. Probably dripped some honey on it.)
I gently straightened out the heating element so that it sits diagonally across the bottom of the insulated plywood box I built.

 

[JamezF]

Another quick test on scrap this evening. This is getting closer to what I actually bought the laser to do...

James

 

[Sutty]

That might be the way forward. Thank you. How to control temperature?

I use one of these as a controller. Just plugs in.
https://amzn.eu/d/eQy99Cx

 

[Erichalfbee]

I gave up on using tubular heaters because the inbuilt thermostat took over. Found this incubator element from Solway Feeders. This needs to be supported off the bottom of the box with ceramic insulators.

That's the sort I use...but bought as a kit from Thorne years ago

 

[Penninetrader]

Another quick test on scrap this evening. This is getting closer to what I actually bought the laser to do...

James

Are these going to be presentation boxes for your honey ? And custom personalisation ?

 

[Sutty]

Another quick test on scrap this evening. This is getting closer to what I actually bought the laser to do...

James

I take it the laser has cut the dovetails?
Does the charring of the surface affect the strength of the glue joint?

 

[Parsonage Bees]

That's the sort I use...but bought as a kit from Thorne years ago

Good to hear. These heating elements are robust. I borrowed a friend's Thorne cabinet before I made mine and the element was a skinny wire which had stopped heating over some of it's length. He had it replaced.

 

[Sutty]

I gave up on using tubular heaters because the inbuilt thermostat took over. Found this incubator element from Solway Feeders. This needs to be supported off the bottom of the box with ceramic insulators.

Looks interesting. I presume the outer sheath isn't live?

 

[JamezF]

Are these going to be presentation boxes for your honey ? And custom personalisation ?

Exactly so.

James

 

[JamezF]

I take it the laser has cut the dovetails?
Does the charring of the surface affect the strength of the glue joint?

They're actually box joints rather than dovetails, but yes, it was all laser-cut. The charring is actually quite light and would respond well to a few passes with some fine sandpaper, but isn't a problem for gluing apparently. I can also adjust the design to allow a bit more for the kerf of the laser so even without glue the joints should be very snug.

James