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Main
Date: 29 Aug 2006 06:07:30
From: I->Ian
Subject: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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Instructions on Manual Fan Control for HotTop
http://www.ieLogical.com/coffee/HTManualMods.rtf
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Date: 29 Aug 2006 11:05:34
From: Dave S
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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I- >Ian wrote:
> Instructions on Manual Fan Control for HotTop
> http://www.ieLogical.com/coffee/HTManualMods.rtf
Well, I've read that, and have some questions about the effectiveness
and reasons for manual fan control.
I've had my HotTop apart, and it looks like the fan may only be there to
cool the electronic parts. If it is there to affect the temperature and
heat distribution in the drum, then where are the air inlets?
A second question; on what do you base your decision to turn that fan on
and off?
Dave S.
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Date: 29 Aug 2006 17:14:09
From: I->Ian
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:05:34 -0500, Dave S <dabcschell@mts.not > wrote:
>I->Ian wrote:
>> Instructions on Manual Fan Control for HotTop
>> http://www.ieLogical.com/coffee/HTManualMods.rtf
>
>Well, I've read that, and have some questions about the effectiveness
>and reasons for manual fan control.
The fan removes air from the roast chamber. There is a gap under the
bean chute door and holes at the back end of the bean chute where the
air is extracted. Also some gaps around the rear of the bean chamber
and the drum shaft.
>
>I've had my HotTop apart, and it looks like the fan may only be there to
>cool the electronic parts.
If that were the case, it would not wait until about 325°F bean temp
to start. If it was to cool the parts, why is it in line with the
roast chamber and not the electronics? A much smaller fan would
suffice to cool the electronics and a better design would be to blow
cool air on the Main PCB. If you look at the filter, it's pretty
obvious the fan is drawing air from the roast chamber.
> If it is there to affect the temperature and
>heat distribution in the drum, then where are the air inlets?
The air inlets are on the back of the roaster behind the element and
around the chaff tray. There is a hole under the chaff tray that the
bean cooling fan directs 'some' air toward once the fans start. Both
fans start at the same time. I did not control the bean cooling fan as
I was concerned that the chaff might ignite or at the very least char
more. Whether or not that improves the taste, I don't know. If you let
the unit cool and remove the drum with the chaff tray intact, you wil
see that the chaff is darker at the ends than the middle.
If there were no airflow through the unit, then smoke would fill the
roast chamber, which it does not.
>
>A second question; on what do you base your decision to turn that fan on
>and off?
>
The profile I'm trying to achieve. The stock HotTop profile has a flat
spot right before 1st crack that is caused by the fan starting and
heater power reduction. Using a combination of fan control and heater
voltage control by a variac, I can change the slope of the profile at
will.
I log both the bean and chamber temperature and monitor both at all
times. Using my notes for a particular bean / blend, I make
adjustments as the roast progresses.
The other night I roasted a Tanzanian AAA Ruvuma that was incredible.
I've roasted several pounds of the stuff with the stock profile, with
heater element control only and now with fan control and the
difference is nothing short of astounding. The mouth feel is creamy
and the Mocha notes just won't stop. Unlike anything I've ever been
able to previously achieve.
I may be a million miles off in my analysis of the HotTop, and
perverse in my parameters on what makes a good cup, but my HotTop is
now the machine I'd hope it would be.
My wife, whose interest in coffee is some where akin to mine watching
paint dry, had this reaction to the Ruvuma : "Wow!!"
>Dave S.
HTH,
Ian
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 07:14:33
From: trbodden
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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In the reference material you talk about a bean mass thermometer. Is
this a field engineered item and how do you go about installing it or
can you buy one and install it.
trbodden
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 07:21:37
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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"trbodden" <tom_bodden_7@msn.com > wrote:
>In the reference material you talk about a bean mass thermometer. Is
>this a field engineered item and how do you go about installing it or
>can you buy one and install it.
Check my website:
http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HowToHottopTemp.html
Randy "that's one solution" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 30 Aug 2006 16:34:43
From: I->Ian
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:21:37 -0700, Randy G. <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com >
wrote:
>"trbodden" <tom_bodden_7@msn.com> wrote:
>
>>In the reference material you talk about a bean mass thermometer. Is
>>this a field engineered item and how do you go about installing it or
>>can you buy one and install it.
>
>Check my website:
>http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HowToHottopTemp.html
>
>
> Randy "that's one solution" G.
>http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
>
Just a Thank-You to RG for his starting me on the HotTop Trail.
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Date: 01 Sep 2006 08:29:35
From: daveb
Subject: Re: HotTop Manual Fan Control
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which of the 2 addresses??
????
Randy G. wrote:
> Check my website:
> http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HowToHottopTemp.html
>
>
> Randy "that's one solution" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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