Re: [gingery_machines] Re: Electric furnace parts update

On 9/11/2011 10:50 PM, confed2001 wrote:
> Am I to understand that you are using this to control the temperature
> of an electric foundry such as the Gingery "Little Bertha"? I got a
> set of plans for an electric foundry from this site:
>
> http://www.dansworkshop.com/aluminum-foundry/homebuilt-electric-melting-furnace.htm
>
> It works & I have been using it for several years, but despite what
> the plans say it does not get hot enough to melt copper much less
> brass. I constructed the controller as described in the plans, and am
> using the heating elements stated, but aluminum is the best I can get
> out of it. If this controller will raise the temp of a small electric
> foundry than I need to get one.
>
> Brian
The controller will not raise the temperature of a foundry. It will
regulate it and help the elements live longer due to the Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM). This is easier on the elements.
I bought Dan's plans years ago, but have lost them. What kind of element
wire and controller does it use?
One thought is your elements may be too long. Do they glow bright orange
under full power?

Another thought is the refractory. Maybe it isn't insulating enough and
loosing too much heat. Is the outside of the furnace hot to the touch?

I am using 2 Kanthal elements from here:
<http://www.ebay.com/itm/170641989014?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649>

This will be for 220V operation.

I intend to use this ceramic blanket refractory:
<http://www.axner.com/superwoolfiber-1thicksoldpersqft.aspx>

Axner is local to me, but they do ship. I am going today to pick it up.

I still need some heater duct for the shell and for the solid state
relays to arrive from China.

Oh and I need some small ceramic insulators to hold the elements in place.

--

Ron Thompson
On the Beautiful Florida Space Coast, right beside the Kennedy Space Center, USA

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