something to control heat lamp assembly temperature

[Ravenvalor]

hello

will someone please recommend something that will control the temperatute output of a food warmer assembly in a restaurant? the assembly consists of 6 elements running on a 208volt 40amp double pole circuit. just need to bring the temperature down a few degrees. all 6 elements have to stay running.
thank you for the help.
best regards....

 

[Jraef]

SCR controller rated 40A and a potentiometer to control it is what I would do.
Example of self contained unit
Example of something less expensive, but you would have to find a heat sink for it.
Both still need an enclosure and it would need to be vented.

You can find 40A rated potentiometers (or rheostats) if you look hard, but the heat it puts out would be high and so the box for one would end up being huge.

 

[Ravenvalor]

SCR controller rated 40A and a potentiometer to control it is what I would do.
Example of self contained unit
Example of something less expensive, but you would have to find a heat sink for it.
Both still need an enclosure and it would need to be vented.

You can find 40A rated potentiometers (or rheostats) if you look hard, but the heat it puts out would be high and so the box for one would end up being huge.

Thank you so much for the helpful advice Jraef. They have a controller there that has been bypassed because all of the components are old and falling apart. It actually has the less expensive ones that you mentioned in your second link. I will call Watlow tomorrow and see what I can find with them for a good self contained unit.

 

[StarCat]

OEM Infitine Switch

OEM Infitine Switch

hello

will someone please recommend something that will control the temperatute output of a food warmer assembly in a restaurant? the assembly consists of 6 elements running on a 208volt 40amp double pole circuit. just need to bring the temperature down a few degrees. all 6 elements have to stay running.
thank you for the help.
best regards....

If its something like a " Hatco " strip heat array, they make infinite switches that can be added remotely for either 120 or 240V units. You typically need one switch for each element. They are a 4 wire device, so you can end up with quite a number of wires to make 4 elements work.

https://www.soundandvision.com/shop...h-infinite-switch-for-120-v-dq26olphbg-p.html

 

[Ravenvalor]

If its something like a " Hatco " strip heat array, they make infinite switches that can be added remotely for either 120 or 240V units. You typically need one switch for each element. They are a 4 wire device, so you can end up with quite a number of wires to make 4 elements work.

https://www.soundandvision.com/shop...h-infinite-switch-for-120-v-dq26olphbg-p.html

Thanks for the help. It looks like the customer has ordered something for this job. I will let you know what it is when they have me in to install it.

 

[kwired]

Thanks for the help. It looks like the customer has ordered something for this job. I will let you know what it is when they have me in to install it.

What the cat suggested is basically same thing as what controls your range top elements on a typical residential range. It doesn't lower current draw, it just cycles elements on/off at a different rate depending on where you turn the adjustment knob. One end of the range is "always on".

SCR device can be simple and put out a constant current based on an input setting, or can be connected to more sophisticated controller that can make it maintain a specific temperature by varying output as needed. Though typical food warmer will not see significant temp changes and a more basic kind of controller will normally be suitable, though it may take a little trial and error to know were to set the control selector.