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Finally built a brew stand + semi electric setup

Started by fakr, March 12, 2012, 08:09:48 PM

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Kyle

I can certainly appreciate on-the-cheap. I looked into the control option you mention, but stove electrical control units seem to max out at about 2600watts, and oven ones at about 3000 watts. I think you`d be looking at running at least two elements if you went that route to get the power needed for a fast brewday
Charter Member

On Tap: DIPA, Vienna SMaSH, Imp Stout
Planned: IPA
Fermenting: --

fakr

ah...good point Kyle.  Well, I could also go the route of buying a hot water heater thermostat, which would also be on the cheap, but unfortunately they aren't very accurate and only step up the heat in 10-20 degree increments.  The ones I had in my hand had a max of 170F....it had switches that I believe went 120F, 130F, 140F, and 170F....something like that.

Might just have to contend with a breaker in the short term then, until I either come up with something else, or break down and spend hundreds on a controller.
"If God had intended for us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."

Kyle

In the long run,

You could go with a Pulse-width-modulator (vairable duty type IIRC) - basically, you could get a pre-built one from electronics kits shop. use it to drive an SSR.

Or, a PID from Auberins would give you all kinds of control for not that much more.
Charter Member

On Tap: DIPA, Vienna SMaSH, Imp Stout
Planned: IPA
Fermenting: --

fakr

Nice Kyle, thanks for the list.  The parts are pretty cheap!  

Did you get your parts yet?  What are you using for an enclosure?  Decided yet?
"If God had intended for us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."

Kyle

I ordered my control equipment last week, still in the mail. For an enclosure, I'll go with something waterproof, from Home Depot or similar, preferably non-metalic as it will be way easier to cut into.
Charter Member

On Tap: DIPA, Vienna SMaSH, Imp Stout
Planned: IPA
Fermenting: --

Jmac00

i'd like to go electric eventually(sold propane burner to kick myself in the electric direction)....after i make the switch to AG of course..lol. Very interested in these threads for sure.

for stove parts.....heavy garbage pickup time...nuff said :)

brew

Quote from: "Kyle"I ordered my control equipment last week, still in the mail. For an enclosure, I'll go with something waterproof, from Home Depot or similar, preferably non-metalic as it will be way easier to cut into.

Yeah that site Kyle has a lot of cool stuff on it, and the prices are reasonable as well - I like the PID especially - hope I get a chance to have a tour of yours when its in...
NBCBA Treasurer
Planned: Drink beer later, Primary: Drink beer soon, Secondary: Drink beer shortly, Kegged: Drinking beer now

Kyle

oh yes. I figure I'll do a brew day the morning of a meeting I host so people can see it in operation.
Charter Member

On Tap: DIPA, Vienna SMaSH, Imp Stout
Planned: IPA
Fermenting: --

fakr

Question for anyone really....last thing left to do is drill a 1.25" hole in my sparge tun for the electric element...any suggestions?  I have step bits but they only go up to 7/8".  Hole saws don't work very well on curved SS.
"If God had intended for us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."

chrismccull

Quote from: "fakr"Question for anyone really....last thing left to do is drill a 1.25" hole in my sparge tun for the electric element...any suggestions?  I have step bits but they only go up to 7/8".  Hole saws don't work very well on curved SS.

I have lots of hole saw bits if you need to borrow one.

fakr

well, maybe I'll just bring my pot with me tomorrow to John's and we can put a hole in it.  Are you going to John's tomorrow Chris?
"If God had intended for us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."

chrismccull


fakr

Quick update that I forgot to post here about the new 50L electric hot liquor tank.

Tested the heat up time on the tank and was plesantly surprised.

45L @ 50F took 36minutes to reach 180F....I'm very happy with that.

to go from 150F to 180F takes a few minutes.
"If God had intended for us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."

JohnQ

Very nice, that's a bit over 11 gallons, so equivilant to my 18 gallons in an hour, that's great.
JQ
Charter Member
I'm on the 12 step program...
I'm on Step 1 - I've admitted I have a problem...and if you're reading this, so do you!

On Tap: 1. MT; 2. PartiGyle Barley Wine; 3. MT; 4. MT; 5. Obiwan Kanobe 6. Pollen Angels TM Base; 7. MT  8. MT
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