Elemental question

[Daniel Morrow]

What is the simplest way to reduce the heat coming
from the heating element on a cheap 110v, 8a, (650 deg
F) heat gun? My math says it uses about 880 watts, so
I looked and a 1000 watt dimmer switch would cost
about $35, which is nearly twice the cost of the heat
gun. Its a lazy way to do it and slows down the fan
A $100+ 1000 watt resistor needs a heat sink and
only makes sense if youre going to treat AC like DC.
(which I am familiar with) Im trying to teach myself
AC circuitry, but Im not looking in the right place
or just not comprehending it yet. Any tips on doing it
right?
Nick Frost





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[Reason]

What is the simplest way to reduce the heat coming
from the heating element on a cheap 110v, 8a, (650 deg
F) heat gun? My math says it uses about 880 watts, so
I looked and a 1000 watt dimmer switch would cost
about $35, which is nearly twice the cost of the heat
gun. Its a lazy way to do it and slows down the fan
A $100+ 1000 watt resistor needs a heat sink and
only makes sense if youre going to treat AC like DC.
(which I am familiar with) Im trying to teach myself
AC circuitry, but Im not looking in the right place
or just not comprehending it yet. Any tips on doing it
right?
Nick Frost

Some things to try:

1) Insert a 10A, 120V diode in the circuit and it will reduce the wattage in
half.

2) If several separate heating elements exist, try switching them out.

3) Try building a diffuser to divert heat or mix in more fresh air, reducing
heat output on the business end.

4) Try holding the gun farther away from the work.

 

[scada]

Some things to try:

1) Insert a 10A, 120V diode in the circuit and it will reduce the wattage in
half.

Be sure to install the Diode after the fan, and before the heat element. The
diode will convert the AC to DC, and unless you have a universal (brush
type) fan motor, the DC will fry the motor!

 

[Coyoteboy]

4) Try holding the gun farther away from the work.

LOL, this was the option i was thinking about

 

[Reason]

wattage

Be sure to install the Diode after the fan, and before the heat element. The
diode will convert the AC to DC, and unless you have a universal (brush
type) fan motor, the DC will fry the motor!

Yes, I forgot to mention that. You can probably run the motor circuit in
parallel with the heating elements, and just use the diode in the heating
elements circuits only.

 

[*sigh*]

if there are several heating elements, connect them in series (one after
another) to effectivily reduce the heat output and power consumption. works
fine for many heating elements