DIY electrical fire

[turf]

I came to my bus yesterday to find no hot water.
today, i had a bit of time to investigate the problem and frankly i'm stoked that it wasn't worse.
i had installed a relay that i could switch the hot water heater on and off. i left the relay actuated for a number of days while plugged into 50 amp service.

it looks like it got hot and burnt a few wires. the fire was under my bed, and even left a soot stain on the bottom of my mattress. i never knew.

[cadillackid]

yeoow!!! it may be a good thing it was all enclosed under the bed! moghtve snuffed itself out.. glad that wasnt worse..



most solenoids and relays will indicate continuous or momentary duty.. I remember using a ford starter relay as a fan relay for a hotrod i had.. yeah first 95 degree day I was out with that 500HP motor and the A/C blasting. lots of smoke (lucky no fire)..



somrthing like this might work?


https://www.amazon.com/CONTINUOUS-SO.../dp/B008R1T5IM


-Christopher

[turf]

Thanks Chris!

here is a link to the original. i dont see a rating for continuous, but i did not know to look.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SSR-40DA-H-40A-Solid-State-Relay-Module-3-32V-DC-90-480V-AC-Heat-Sink/152145657023?hash=item236c967cbf:g:O6EAAOSwbYZXcJF y:rk:2f:0

[brokedown]

I won't buy any more solenoids that aren't both rated for continuous duty and also have the trigger circuit isolated from the load circuit. I learned my lesson!

Something like this, which is what I have upgraded my glow plug solenoid to: https://www.supplyhouse.com/White-Ro...-Isolated-Coil

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by brokedown

I won't buy any more solenoids that aren't both rated for continuous duty and also have the trigger circuit isolated from the load circuit. I learned my lesson!

Something like this, which is what I have upgraded my glow plug solenoid to: https://www.supplyhouse.com/White-Ro...-Isolated-Coil

i didnt think about that... the self-feeding relay when they arc and short internally. unless isolated..