shoo
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- Joined
- Aug 14, 2017
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Got a question. I am considering modifying my Mash and Boil to make a bottom/center drain, using something like the bore-only weldless bulkhead here. I am ripping out all of the internal electronic controls for the elements here, but still using the same heating elements.
Upon opening it up, I have discovered that the whole element assembly is some kind of solid disc. Feels like ceramic of some kind. If I had to guess, the center is a plate of solid ceramic insulation to direct the heating element heat up through the stainless top plate, and as such I could safely drill through it (being very, very careful to avoid cracking it). However, I am not 100% sure, and figure there may be someone here who actually knows what this thing is made of before I mess it up.
The question I have is: Is it safe to drill through the center of it to fit a weldless bulkhead?
Feel free to assume the following:
1) I am killing the short protection circuit and basically all other electronics in here, with the notable exception of the heating elements, which will be controlled in a separate control mechanism, using my own control scheme.
2) I am competent both working with electronics and plumbing in general.
3) I understand how dangerous mixing water and electricity is, and will be adding multiply redundant safety features (including short protection), and testing the ever living crap out of every seal.
. . . and in case you are wondering, that flat bit on the outside edge is the other possible place where I could add a bulkhead. However, the flat bit is a bit too narrow to use a 1/2" weldless bulkhead there, so I'd probably have to get something welded/silver soldered on if I went that route and/or go with a 3/8" hole, which is fine, but not ideal.
Upon opening it up, I have discovered that the whole element assembly is some kind of solid disc. Feels like ceramic of some kind. If I had to guess, the center is a plate of solid ceramic insulation to direct the heating element heat up through the stainless top plate, and as such I could safely drill through it (being very, very careful to avoid cracking it). However, I am not 100% sure, and figure there may be someone here who actually knows what this thing is made of before I mess it up.
The question I have is: Is it safe to drill through the center of it to fit a weldless bulkhead?
Feel free to assume the following:
1) I am killing the short protection circuit and basically all other electronics in here, with the notable exception of the heating elements, which will be controlled in a separate control mechanism, using my own control scheme.
2) I am competent both working with electronics and plumbing in general.
3) I understand how dangerous mixing water and electricity is, and will be adding multiply redundant safety features (including short protection), and testing the ever living crap out of every seal.
. . . and in case you are wondering, that flat bit on the outside edge is the other possible place where I could add a bulkhead. However, the flat bit is a bit too narrow to use a 1/2" weldless bulkhead there, so I'd probably have to get something welded/silver soldered on if I went that route and/or go with a 3/8" hole, which is fine, but not ideal.
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