Bongo Boy
posted this
07 October 2009
Jeff Bowles wrote: ...What type of temp controller are you using, where did you get it and how much??
The controller is a Ranco model ETC-1110000. I got it from Patriot Supply on eBay for about $50. That's what they typically retail out for (online). There are a few different model numbers--you have to make sure to get the one with input and load voltages that match what you're doing. It has a built-in relay with 16A capacity.
My heating problems were completely solved by draping a multi-folded hand towel around the lube chamber and over the exposed portion of the heater. Burned thru 500 bullets about as fast as I could and never had a problem. I'll try to find a block of styrofoam or pipe insulation and can velcro on and I'll be there. Sweeeeet.
Takes about 35 min from a dead start at 55F for that little Lyman heater to get things cooking. Controller is now set at 122F with a 1F differential, but I've seen it read between 120F and 122F during my 3-hour run last night, just the same.
Update 7 Jan 2010
I've used that expanding spray foam stuff that comes in an aerosol can and applied several layers to the entire back of the sizer, top of the base plate and over the heater. Everything aft of the frontmost edge of the lube chamber is covered in about 2 to 3” of the foam insulation. After it hardened, I then trimmed the whole thing into a neat and tidy square block. This setup really works nice, even when it's about 35F in the garage. The Lyman heater can just barely keep up at that temp, but I get something like 116 to 119F out of it when it's that cold out, and that's good enough for the lube I'm now running (Jake's Ceresin).