Starting an Electric Brew control panel for AG brewing

[QldKev]

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

Just so you are aware, that pump is not a March 809, it is a re-badged Kaixin mp-15. Still a great pump, but not the same pricing as a March.

 

[sjp770]

eBay seller I mentioned above- $130 delivered!

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm?itemId=371077123264

Cheers, already had that in the watch list, but I was tempted to get something I could take home then and there. Got a mate on the hunt for a wholesale NHP or B&R.

Just so you are aware, that pump is not a March 809, it is a re-badged Kaixin mp-15. Still a great pump, but not the same pricing as a March.

Yeah, im aware it was dodgy naming on the listing, including 809 in the name. Typical eBay tactics to get it to show up when searching for a March 809.

Like I said, I cant afford a march so this is the go. I almost grabbed 2x second hand Iwaki's but I wasn't sure where to get a new impeller housing (no idea what they were used for, prefer a clean front) and they were 100V... :unsure:

 

[sjp770]

So I had a thought about adding another pump outlet for Cooling. If I went a CounterFlow cooling coil instead of a plate chiller (or even if I went with a Plate chiller) I could run a bucket of Ice water and an aquarium pump to cool the coil instead of tap water.

Thoughts?

 

[rockeye84]

[SIZE=10.5pt]I used a counter flow in conjunction with an immersion chiller. Use the immersion chiller to take the wort from 100c down to about 60-50c to stop bitterness extraction and preserve [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]essential [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]oils, then use my counter flow to chill down to 20c, running off direct to my ferment vessel. I have a pump and a 1 micron filter before my CFC. Kettle>Pump>Filter>CFC>Temp Gauge>Tap(for flow control).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Then I’m good to pitch if doing an ale.[/SIZE]

I just use tap water, down in the deep south here the tap water is pretty cold. I have tried having my water run thru a 5 meter copper coil in a bucket of frozen solid ice, before it hits my CFC, didnt seem to cool any better or faster, for it to work you would probably need a 20-30m copper coil sitting in a deep freezer.

 

[sjp770]

Hmm... My thought was to have the cooling pump on for 10mins + before to get the coil down to temp. Copper & salt would be a bad mix I presume otherwise I'd use that to drop it a few more degrees.

 

[sjp770]

Chased up 2x 1/2" - 1/4" bushes in SS for $5.95 ea... Also 2x SS 1/2" nipple (male to male) at $6.28 ea. I decided a normal SS ball valve would do the HLT as it's before the boil stage and that set me back $12.89

Seemed expensive as I had a 3 piece ball valve the same as a Blichmann but they wanted over $50 for it! I think my Blichmann's were $38 or so.

 

[gava]

Awesome to see more Brew Controllers coming out of the wood work..

I recently completed a DIY Electric brewery clone, found the build very fun... You sound like your well on your way..

Not sure if there is much to help but you can check over my build thread http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/78574-my-new-brewery-build-pics/

Keep the updates coming....

Cheers
Gav

 

[sjp770]

Wow Gav, just read through that build. Very impressive! Was it much more expensive to go tri-clover everywhere? I'd love to do that an weld the fittings in too ideally.

 

[gava]

triclover is a touch more taxing than simple cam locks.. but they make cleaning very easy... I'd gladly pay the extra so my clean up is easier, saying that i ordered more of the silicone gasket because I had a habit of misplacing them mid brew so instead of finding them straight away I had a stash I could grab one from then I could the gasket later.

This kit is one of ours we sell so I do admit I got it cheaper I would say the complete kit retail would have been around 3-4k

good luck with the build and I'll be checking back for sure! as other say the build is as fun as the final product.

gav

 

[sjp770]

Don't think I had this order up yet, iBrew.com.au. This is for the kegs.


2x Hose Barbs - hose barb 1/2 x /1/2 hose barb for $9.50 each
3x Silicone hose...light duty for $7.95 each
1x False Bottom stainless steel for $49.95 each
1x Compression Fitting for $14.50 each
1x Blichmann Brewmometer (weldless) for $44.00 each
2x Blichmann 3 piece ball valve for $42.00 each
2x Weldless Kettle Bulkhead Kit for $18.00 each



Subtotal : $271.30 AUD
GST : $24.66 AUD
Shipping : $16.00 AUD
Total : $287.30 AUD

 

[sjp770]

So I just added the taps and brew thermometer to the keg, but I think the hole may have been a tiny bit too big for the temp dial. What happens when the o ring slips partly through the hole when tightened?


I'll do a leak test in the morning.

 

[jonnir]

What size hole did you drill?

 

[sjp770]

I knew someone would ask that lol. Not sure, and since my keys are locked in the shed I can't go check or do a leak test I'll look in the morning. Might have been 15mm?

 

[jonnir]

For a half inch fitting? Isn't it supposed to be about 21mm?

 

[Camo6]

I imagine those thermos need about 14mm yeh? Pink thread tape and SS washers are your friends.

 

[sjp770]

22mm I thought for the 1/2".. I used a 7/8" drill bit there.

As for the thermo it was a 13mm bit and its watertight

 

[sjp770]

Don't have many equipment pics yet, but here is a PID with the SSR in the background.

And the inside of the keg:

 

[sjp770]

Ordered the elements and a few other things including a step drill bit kit from ebay for $11


Items Ordered

Price

4 of: Stainless Steel 304 Cast Pipe Fitting, Hex Locknut, MSS SP-114, 1" NPT Female
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$6.06

2 of: Stainless Steel 304/304L Pipe Fitting, Close Nipple, Schedule 40 Welded, 1/2" NPT Male, 1-1/8" Length
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$0.90

4 of: 18-8 Stainless Steel Round Shim, Unpolished (Mill) Finish, Annealed, Hard Temper, ASTM A666, 0.075" Thickness, 1-1/2" ID, 2-1/4" OD
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$2.88

2 of: Leviton 83025-EXT 2-Gang No Device Blank Wallplate, Weather-Resistant, Aluminum, Box Mount, Gray
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$5.99

2 of: Camco 02962/02963 5500W 240V Screw-In Lime Life Ripple Water Heater Element - Ultra Low Watt Density
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$25.57

1 of: 217 Silicone O-Ring, 70A Durometer, Red, 1-3/16" ID, 1-7/16" OD, 1/8" Width (Pack of 25)
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$9.11

1 of: Stephen Hawking: A Quest For The Theory Of Everything, Ferguson, Kitty
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Quality Bargain Mall (seller profile)

Condition: Used - Good[/SIZE]

[SIZE=x-small]Eligible for Amazon's FREE Super Saver/Prime Shipping, 24/7 ... see more[/SIZE]



$4.00

2 of: Preferred Industries 662034 2-Gang Weatherproof Aluminum Box with Three ½-Inch Outlets
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

$11.31

2 of: Stainless Steel 304 Cast Pipe Fitting, Tee, Class 150, 1/2" NPT Female
[SIZE=x-small]Sold by: Amazon Export Sales, Inc.

Condition: New[/SIZE]

 

[sjp770]

Just putting a name on the brew stand...

I'll post a pic when it's done. What's the view on posting a name of your chosen brewhouse here? Do people generally respect the original users name choice and not steal it?

 

[sjp770]

Any guesses?

Might try and get a sparky here in the morning to upgrade the shed circuit to 25A to handle 1x element at a time. I have 4mm run so it should be ok.

Here's another hint: