Biopowered - vegetable oil and biodiesel forum

Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: julianf on May 22, 2013, 09:48:07 PM

Title: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: julianf on May 22, 2013, 09:48:07 PM
Ive got an immersion here that has an unfolded element, so is about 24 inches or so long.

Its too long to be safe in my friends copper reactor - im wondering if you can DIY bend them, or if they just fail?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: terryecosse on May 22, 2013, 09:54:33 PM
I tried bending one and it went quite well for a time , i dont know if i tried to bend it too much the last time but it broke. they will definitely bend as long as you dont over do it.
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: photoman290 on May 22, 2013, 10:12:38 PM
think it is fine to bend them when they are new. are designed to be bent. not sure i would want to try it on one that has been used though. i wanted one for a doughnut fryer so asked a manufacturer. that is what he said.
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: Rotary-Motion on May 22, 2013, 10:13:14 PM
werent the 24's made for copper cylinders? fitted from the top though, which maybe your using the bottom now?
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: julianf on May 22, 2013, 10:17:16 PM
i got the ones i have out of cylinders that i scrapped - and i think they must have been in the top (else they wouldnt have fitted, i guess!)

my friends reactor is a copper tank, upside down, so the element would fit, but its only a small reactor (140ltr tank. i think) so im concerned about having the element going so high up the tank - leaves less room for error.

(yep, i know a level switch should probably be fitted, and i offered him one....)
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: Head Womble on May 22, 2013, 10:26:08 PM
Fit an 11" element, anything longer is just too much of a risk, they're under £20.
Title: Re: Immersion element - can you bend them?
Post by: photoman290 on May 22, 2013, 10:35:07 PM
yes as they are used you don't want them to short to the case with pretty blue sparks. seen that in oil. glad it wasn't in meth loaded oil. sounds very dodgy for the sake of £12 quid or so.