Starting an Electric Brew control panel for AG brewing

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sjp770

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So I've started down the long road of starting up an All Grain brewery and I'm the sort of person that HAS to go electric. So what will follow is a list of the parts I've bought. I will update with prices and places bought at a later date. This will be closely based on theelectricbrewery.com

From Ebay:
3x SESTOS D1SR-220 PIDs http://m.ebay.com/itm/321329630539
2x SSR's http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/331212781869
6x Two position panel switches
1x Three position panel switch
1x Two position key panel switch
1x 50A 75mA shunt

From Auberins.com

1 x Liquid Tight RTD Sensor, 2” Probe, Weldless Fitting (PT100-L50M14) $46.95
Cable Option 8 ft Braided Cable with mating connector/cable
3 x Panel mount connector for RTD sensor (RTDCON) = $11.25
2 x Liquid tight RTD sensor, 2 in, 1/4 NPT Thread (PT100-L50NPT) = $87.10
Cable Option 8 ft Braided Cable with mating connector/cable
1 x Timer for Beer Brewing, Multi-Events (JSL-73B) = $42.32

Need to buy the three relays, enclosure, lights, volt and ammeter, alarm and sockets. Past that I have the elements and some more plumbing and pumps.
 
I saw a couple of pt100's for sale on here this morning. 1/2" NPT though, but to me these are more compatible if you're using 1/2" fittings in the system. The price was reasonable considering the conversion and postage rates.

If you do buy a sensor from Auber's with the deluxe cable you will get the panel mount included, or at least I did.

Do those Sestos PIDs have ramp/soak capabilities? I made sure my mash PID was an Auber 2352P purely for programmable step mashing so I didn't need to hang around during the mash.

Good luck with the build, sounds great. I enjoyed putting mine together and learned a heap doing it. Swore a heap doing it too!
 
Everything in the list above has been paid for so the 1/4 is what I'll have to deal with. They are just as per recommendations from the electric brewery site.

i wasn't sure if the panel side of the connector came with the cable so that's why I grabbed the connectors seperately.
the SESTOS PIDs don't have the ramp I think but I won't be leaving the brews unattended for a long while, and if and when I do I'll sell the SESTOS on here and grab the auber P model then.

i have a PT100 stainless probe here already but the cable is short and the probe is long. I figure I would just go with the right ones for the job.

So far on the equipment side I have three kegs I cut open myself and the following hardware for them:

Blichmann: temp probe (weldless), 2x ball valves
the other parts are the screen for the bottom of the mashtun and fittings for that, 2x weldless bulkheads, 4m of silicone tube, 2x barb fittings. I also have some star San and keg grease on the way.

oh, and the kicker is I've never brewed before. I always jump in the deep end and try to master a hobby at the complex level first. I like to read and research ALOT so I tend to get really involved and try to skip the first few steps of a hobby and go straight to where I want to be in the end. It's worked for me in the past so here we go!

The idea of starting this is to get good quality beer cheaper so I can still enjoy a craft beer on a low end budget. Right now I can kind of spare the cash to get setup, but in 3 months my life will change with my first child so there will be lots of changes but one of the few downsides is losing an income.
 
Grabbed the Relays and indicator lights just then, also the terminal strips. Ened up going for the recommended volt and ammeter as its clear and easy to read from across the room. I wont be doing separate power supplies though unless im told why.

Seems strange I cant update the original post though.. is there a limit to how many times you can edit a post?
 
More purchases today:

From eBay

20x Quick Blow Glass Tube Fuses 250V 7A 5 x 20mm DF006 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270790388404 AU $2.99
5 x PCB Panel Mount Fuse Holder AC250V 10A for 5 x 20mm http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161341635371 AU $2.67
AC 220V LED Pilot Indicator Signal Lamp Black Blue http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290913976365 AU $3.73
3 1/2 Blue LED Digital AMP Panel Meter + Shunt AC 50A http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370412412396 AU $25.57
3 1/2 Blue LED Digital Volt Panel Meter AC 700V http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370412413897 AU $18.18
Round Red Cap 6P Terminal DPST Momentary Push Button Switch AC 220V http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161342158983 AU $3.96
2x Green LED Accident Indicator Pilot Light Lamp AC 220V http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111367509449 AU $4.26 ea.
AC 220V 22mm Panel Mount LED Power Indicator Pilot Signal Light Lamp Red http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/161240463910 AU $1.81
2pcs 220V 240V 22mm Flash Light Red LED Active Buzzer Beep Indicator AD16-22SM http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110943667649 AU $4.99
2x Thread Connection Yellow LED Signal Indicator Pilot Light AC220V http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400729386114 AU $4.57 ea.


From Aliexpress

2x (1)10 Position/Pole 20 Hole Screw Terminal Blocks Covered Barrier Strip 600V 15A
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6133682594.html
Usd $0.90 ea

3x 220VAC 80A DPDT Power Relay Motor Control Screw Mount
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6133682595.html
US $9.50 ea

updated link
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/220VAC-80A-DPDT-Power-Relay-Motor-Control-Screw-Mount/1482936491.html
 
Cheers. I'll go back and add prices on the res at some stage.. Oh wait I can't. I'll merge everything into one post and start an actual build log when I get all the bits together.
 
Lol, anticipated! That's one thing this build was not! I've been looking for the cheapest parts and grabbing what I need. I made some mistakes with heating elements and now have two I can't use but I've tried to be careful with this. I will get a full Bill of Materials up when I'm done, this won't include freight though. I think I'm within $200 of the end, excluding heating. The main thing I need now is the enclosure. I do know that they sell it for $1400 or so.
 
Burt de Ernie said:
What is the anticipated cost of this thing?
Haha... No. Don't answer!

I'm fairly certain I shouldn't have kept a tally on mine... I'm past 1500 excluding tools and misc stuff I can say I will use elsewhere (but probably won't). And I'm not even doing the full control thingy.

It's a hobby you love, and you can't put a price on love. Unless you need to sell it, and then you make sure you get as much as you can.

Mick
 
Yep, totally understand the need to home brew once a little one comes into play hahaha even the "start at deep end" part! I had my first kid 4 months ago.
It was most definitely what pushed me into AG.
QLDKev gave me a heap of pointers to design an all electric brewery, but I'm about to buy a house, and will stick with gas until then. I like gas for its brute force, but as a software engineer, I like the programmability of electric... I might yet do a PID controlled HERMS
Will follow your build for sure, remember pictures :)

Good luck,
Martin
 
Hi Mate,

I spent approx. $600 building my panel, it was the most fun part too, putting it together & testing etc.
All the stainless/pots, pumps, fittings, elements, chiller, silicon hose added quickly to about $2.5k for a 50L setup. That hurt the back pocket a bit. No regrets tho!

sjp770 said:
Ened up going for the recommended volt and ammeter as its clear and easy to read from across the room. I wont be doing separate power supplies though unless im told why.
The amp & volt meters can't have common power, the power feeds have to be separate(two power supplies) or isolated, if they are not isolated the amp meter will blow up or not read true, guaranteed. I ended using one 240v/5v supply but on the 5v power feed to the amp meter I installed a power isolation module to separate the two power feeds, thus eliminating the need for two power supplies.

I got all the gear for my panel from a local electrical supplier, jaycar & ebay, pretty similar to the gear you have listed sestos etc. I stole the basic idea to build my panel from theelectricbrewery.com (like you lol), my panel looks very similar but wired it to my own specs and to run off a 15a aussie socket, streamlined it a bit & eliminated unnecessary crap/wiring, but its 100% safe and works a treat. Ive done +30 batches so far & my panel hasn't missed a beat.

Here's a link to the module you will need if you plan to install amp/volt meters with common power.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/B0505S-1W-DC-DC-5V-To-5V-Isolation-Power-Module-Converter-1000VDC-SIP-4-/111364127628?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19edd1bb8c
This is a 5v version they are available in 12v depends what you meters run on.

If you need any more info or pics or whatever.. Feel free..
 
rockeye84 said:
I blew up my amp meter by having both my amp and volt meters powered by the same 240v-to-5v supply. They can't have common earth, or the amp meter will blow or not work guaranteed. I ended using one 240v/5v supply but on the 5v power feed to the amp meter I installed a blocking diode device to separate the to power feeds, thus eliminating the need for two power supplies. I got most of my gear from ebay & jaycar and the kind fellow from Korea/ebay that supplied my meters also supplied the blocking diode device. I stole the basic idea from the electricbrewery.com, my panel looks very similar but wired it to my own specs. Ive done +30 batches so far & my panel hasn't missed a beat. If you need any more info.. Feel free..
Great tip man :) i'll wire a DC power pack to a terminal strip and solder in appropriate diodes on the -ve leg. or was it on the pos?

seehuusen said:
Yep, totally understand the need to home brew once a little one comes into play hahaha even the "start at deep end" part! I had my first kid 4 months ago.
It was most definitely what pushed me into AG.
QLDKev gave me a heap of pointers to design an all electric brewery, but I'm about to buy a house, and will stick with gas until then. I like gas for its brute force, but as a software engineer, I like the programmability of electric... I might yet do a PID controlled HERMS
Will follow your build for sure, remember pictures :)

Good luck,
Martin
QLDKev gave me the inspiration. :D I ruined an extract brew once and was turned off completely. Dont think it was my fault though... mate forgot to pass the hops.

mofox1 said:
Haha... No. Don't answer!

I'm fairly certain I shouldn't have kept a tally on mine... I'm past 1500 excluding tools and misc stuff I can say I will use elsewhere (but probably won't). And I'm not even doing the full control thingy.

It's a hobby you love, and you can't put a price on love. Unless you need to sell it, and then you make sure you get as much as you can.

Mick
i'll get a shock when I total it up, but I want a list with links so others can copy easliy.
 
Ive since edited the post, there is a link to the ebay item i used, its not a diode, its a power isolation module.
 
sjp770 said:
Great tip man :) i'll wire a DC power pack to a terminal strip and solder in appropriate diodes on the -ve leg. or was it on the pos?

QLDKev gave me the inspiration. :D I ruined an extract brew once and was turned off completely. Dont think it was my fault though... mate forgot to pass the hops.

i'll get a shock when I total it up, but I want a list with links so others can copy easliy.
That's cool. One of those "others" will probably be me.

Brew rig v1 is (will be) a manual electric. If I want to do anything fancy with step mashes then it need to be either by decoction or adding hot water.

V2 will be the ducks nuts in terms of control, but unlike you I want to get a handle on what I can do without the gizmos first!

(And the fact that America's weird power supplies mean you can't just do a straight copy. Always good to see what people use for a full 240v system.)

Mick
 
Priced an enclosure today. NHP 400x400x200 cabinet $175. So I'm getting a mate to grab it wholesale, I'll let you know the cost soon.
 
Cant afford a March pump atm, I was going to get a 12v one, but I stumbled on this:

Magnetic Drive Polysulfone Pump Home Brew Beer Wort Pump 809 March http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141322775887 $64.95 + $12 post

So needless to say its on its way. If it is good i'll grab a second later
 
Those pumps are pretty good for the price, I've got the old model and it's been doing just fine the 6 months I've been using it
 
sjp770 said:
Priced an enclosure today. NHP 400x400x200 cabinet $175. So I'm getting a mate to grab it wholesale, I'll let you know the cost soon.
Hey mate

Not sure where you are, but I'm in melbourne and picked up an enclosure from these guys

https://www.switchesplus.com.au/detail/Non-Stone-Metal-Enclosure-400-x-400-x-200mm-IP66-with-Gland-Plate

$130 for the box you're looking for- I picked up a smaller one for my built for $70.

From memory there's an eBay retailer in Sydney who's pretty competitively priced too, especially if you can pickup and avoid freight.

Good luck!

Baz
 

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