Having just finished restoring my first electric fired steam engine, an Empire 90, I'm ready to safely steam it up. I know from my EE days that water and electricity don't mix well and I'm not really fond of that tingling sensation from a mild shock
.
So my hope is that this topic can be a collection of tips and techniques for safely firing electric steam engines.
Anyone have a favorite variac or dimmer?
I've made a new cord with a ground wire that has an alligator clip to attach to the engine base.
Do you plug your variac or dimmer into a GFCI outlet.
Jeff
Er, umm......nope. Built in a jiffy, and I'm not an electrician,
but after a 220 shock while moving an old electric stove any mild
tingling is not a big deal. But, to be safe, do things the way
that makes you (and your loved ones) comfortable.
Have you heated it yet? I tested each of my cartridge heater
setups outside the engine, usually on the stove. I had one burn
out in front of me (failed experiment). Sometimes, plans go awry.
Good Luck,
Wayne
I use a router speed controller from harbor freight as a dimmer. It's good for 15 amps and works well. Doesn't go all the way down to zero volts, about 25% of full voltage. Item # 43060, about $20.00. I use a regular outlet, but all my electrically heated engines are grounded.
I bought an old Powerstat, US made variac off eBay for about $40, very happy with it over the years