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hahabogus

(Steve Pope) wrote in news:g40jae$g8r$1
@blue.rahul.net:

> maxine in ri > wrote:
>
>>OK all you home-handypersons, mechanical geniuses and electrical
>>wiring experts, have i got a question for you!
>>
>>I got a new yogurt maker at a yard sale (lady had a failed
>>kitchen store business, it was brand new in the box sealed
>>etc.) First batch came out grainy (probably my fault)
>>so I made the second batch under closer observation.
>>
>>Finished product was just over 130 degrees, which is
>>the high end for yogurt cultures.
>>
>>Is there some way i can build a temperature control into
>>the electric wire to reduce the temperature, or do I need
>>to count this up to the usual yard sale failure?
>>
>>maxine in ri, soldering iron at the ready
>
> Sure. Although the classy way would be to use a rheostat or variable
> autotransformer, but can guesstimate the value (in ohms) of
> a fixed resistor to wire in series with the unit as follows:
>
> R = ((130 - T)/(T - 70)) * (14400 / W)
>
> where W is the actual wattage of the unit (which is probably a value
> somewhat lower than its rated wattage), 130 is the observed
> temperature now, 70 is the ambient temperature, T is the desired
> temperature, and 14400 is the square of the line voltage.
>
> So for example, let's say the unit is rated at 100 watts. Probably,
> it consumes 90 watts, and you want the temperature to be 120
> instead. In this case you need a 32 ohm series resistor. It better
> be rated at 15 watts or more (in this example).
>
> (Of course don't do this unless you're confident you can do
> a safe job of wiring it up and insulating it and protecting
> it from any mechanical trauma. Having a second person check your
> work is always a good idea. Etc.)
>
> Steve
>

Get an extension cord...insert a light dimmer switch in the middle of
it...viola a rheostated extension cord cost around $15-25 after you take
into consideration a nice looking electrical box and plate cover and all
the extras required to make it safe and attractive...Probably cheaper to
get a new yogurt maker.

Cut the extension cord in half and feed the 2 halves into the electrical
box; strip off some of the exterior outer insulation...inside you'll find
3 insulated wires. Probably a white, a black and a green. Solder the 2
cut green wires back together ( inside the electrical box) also inside
the box solder the 2 back wires back together) attach the 2 white wires
to the dimmer switch...ensure everything is well insulated from everthing
else. mount the switch to the box put on cover...Alternately instead of
solder you can use wire nuts. This only applies in N. America. Don't
forget to ground the electrical box.

--

The house of the burning beet-Alan