Immersion element - can you bend them?

[julianf]

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.

[terryecosse]

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.

[photoman290]

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.

[Rotary-Motion]

werent the 24's made for copper cylinders? fitted from the top though, which maybe your using the bottom now?

[julianf]

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....)

[Head Womble]

Fit an 11" element, anything longer is just too much of a risk, they're under £20.

[photoman290]

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.