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Forum Index : Electronics : Built a new dump load.
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
After reading Pete's (downwinds) article about encapsulated resistors several times, I wanted to give it a go. You can see his article here... http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/articles/BuildingEncapsu latedResistors.asp I picked up a few stove heater elements from the local dump. These are flat on one side, I figured the flat side would transfer heat into a heatsink better than a round heater element. 
I cut two of the elements into short straight lengths, and ended up with 12 lengths in all. I mounted 10 of these ( one I broke and one I wanted to keep for testing ) onto a short length of aluminium rectangle section. 
Each element draws 2.2 amps, and I've wired up 2 lots of 5 in parallel, controlled by 2 switches. Each switch can switch in 11 amps, so both switches on will draw 22 amps, or about 260 watts at 12 volts. The finished dump load has a 120mm fan to keep it cool, and fits inside a well ventilated case. 
Tested it this afternoon and at full load the case is warm to touch. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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niall1 Senior Member  Joined: 20/11/2008 Location: IrelandPosts: 331 |
very nice Glenn...i really like this approach of using surplus existing elements.... niall niall |
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