Nice little dew controller kit

[MarkS]

OK £3 vs £30 - point taken!

[PhilB]

Have a look at the one I built last week, it only took about 30 minutes to do.

Chris, I'd rather like to see this. Did you post it?

[Rocket Pooch]

Its here Phil, http://www.dewbuster.com/heaters/heaters.html one tip get a piece of wood put 4 nails in it 2 left 2 right spaced as per the spacing you want for the + & - pull the wire between the left and right sides and this gives you a nice template to solder the resisters onto.

For the insulation I use gaffer tape and double sided number plate tape (foamy stuff) the foamy tape on the outside.  The wire I used is nickle covered copper wire from maplis its solid and about 1mm thick.

The resisters I used are M330ohm from Maplin, they seems to have gone upto 17p each now, I'm positive they were 8p when I bought a load.

My 8" SCT tool 24 of these, some wire and a connector to the dew heater.

Chris

[RobertM]

I used the same construction as Chris for two small tapes and they work a treat.  Whether you use resistors or Nichrome wire I'd strongly suggest you use very flexible cable so it stays like that in low temperatures.

Robert
PS. It's 330 ohm resistors....

[Mac]

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0132371


2p each

1.4 if you get a thousand.

Radio spares.

Mac.

[Mike]

Yeah don't use Maplins, they are at least 10 times more expensive than anywhere else.

[PhilB]

Thanks everyone, I'll give building a heater strip a try. One point though, what type of connectors do you use when connecting the strip to the power supply?

[Ian]

however, if you use Maplins then they'll be there when you need something for a project, *right now*...

[RobertM]

Male phono plugs are standard for the leads - yes I know.  Known for their superior current carrying capacity and reliable connection - not!!!

[Mike]

In other words, choose whatever connector you like. if you are making your own controller and strips then choose something suitable, you don't need to use the standard type connector.

[Ian]

I like Banana plugs myself. Nice and reliable.

[RobertM]

Yellow banana plugs would match the scope nicely ...

[Mac]

however, if you use Maplins then they'll be there when you need something for a project, *right now*...

RS is the same, they have direct access trade counters.

[MarkS]

Yellow banana plugs would match the scope nicely ...

They would match my banana scope VERY nicely 

[Rocket Pooch]

Ok, its probably £2 for a dew strip then,

Thats means the controller and strip would probably be £13, bargain.  The cheapest pro made one I found for the controller was £29.00.

Home made rules..