finch138

Recipes 

Did Lonnie ever get back to you. I too just ordered the BYO mag and was wondering what lonnie also has available.

2BeerSpeer

Recipes 

Haven't heard anything from him. Hope to start my build soon, been getting my hop garden going lately and brewing a lot. I'm not going to go stainless...gonna paint mine with black high temp paint

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Keg #1 --- Empty
Keg #2 --- Empty

I need a keezer!!!

finch138

Recipes 

@2BeerSpeer How are the plans from BYO? I also just found out BYO sells separate plans of the build. Waiting to hear back from them as to if there is any difference in the plans for sale and the ones in the magazine issue. @Lonnie mac please clear your inbox.

finch138

Recipes 

Your inbox is full

edit: sorry tried to send this to lonnie. Still getting the hang of posting.

2BeerSpeer

Recipes 

The plans are good, very detailed......if I could weld I would be able to do it all just by reading the plans!

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Keg #1 --- Empty
Keg #2 --- Empty

I need a keezer!!!

brewman !

Recipes 

Lonnie Mac designed a very good brewing system and his design has helped many of us out either directly or indirectly. To this we owe him a heartfelt thanks.

Having said that, one thing about the design has bothered me since the very first day I saw it.

I understand that the design is now several years old and interest has somewhat waned, but people still use it as a reference design and thus I feel the need to comment.

Lonnie used ASCO valves and a standing pilot to automate the burner operation.

The problem with using the ASCO valves is that they do not sense whether the pilot is present or not when they open. This has the potential to cause a gas explosion. Should the pilot not be present and the PID controller opens the ASCO valve, raw propane gas will free flow from the burner. At some point that gas may build up and explode.

A different approach to this problem would be to use a gas control valve from a furnace, specifically something like a Honeywell universal gas valve.

VR8200A2132
- controlled by 24VAC
- takes a common thermocouple
- has an outlet for the pilot light
- 1/2" x 1/2" inlet/ outlet.
- 130,000 BTU

$69 with a 24 inch thermocouple
http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-International-VR8200A2132-Control-Valve/dp/B00069CR8S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1325887529&sr=8-6
Honeywell product web page. The installation guide is at the bottom.
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With the 8500 series universal gas valves, you have to manually light the pilot.

One step up from that is the 9500 series which has an electronic ignition system to light the pilots.

Honeywell has a kit to make these valves work with propane as well as natural gas.

Using a gas valve is a bit more complicated because you now have to mount a thermocouple to sense if the pilot is burning, but its really no more difficult than that.

And it is a lot safer. As soon as the pilot light goes out, for whatever reason (think boil over), the gas valve shuts off.

I hope this helps.

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Getting back into brewing...

RonRock

Recipes 

Good thoughts brewman. Here is a very good link that anyone considering an electronic ignition system should look at,

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/gas-temperature-control-dummies-116632/

Very helpful.

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My Brutus Build

http://www.lonewolfbrewery.com/

BrownBagBrew

Recipes 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/2830032859.html



I am selling my BRUTUS style brew system. This system is designed following the theories originally published by Lonnie Mac. The system is 1 year old and makes great beer.

Temperatures in the Hot Liquor Tank and Mash Tun are digitally monitored and maintained via automated burner control for accuracy and ease of repeatable brewing. The all stainless steel stand was fabricated by a professional D18.1/D9.1 certified welder here in the bay area. The system is fully plumbed via (2) March pumps with center port inlets for better flow. Wort is cooled via a plate chiller mounted on a hinged mount for drainage. . To protect the electrical components from heat and liquid exposure all wiring is fully enclosed inside welded square tubing next to the propane manifold. All switches on control panel are capped with rubber waterproof covers. All electrical operations are controlled from a single location.

Too many details to list here- truly must see to appreciate.

I am selling this unit as a package deal with a full sized single door digitally temperature controlled refrigerator for fermentation and all the accessories needed to operate the system; propane tanks and spare parts.

I spared no expense when building this home brewery because I never intended to sell. Circumstances have changed and I am unable to continue this hobby.


List of components:


-Custom designed/fabricated all stainless steel rolling brewery.

-2 March pumps flush mounted in stainless vented pump box.

-Brew Kettle and Mash Tun have 10 inch banjo burners digitally controlled.

-1 8-tip jet burners (80,000 btu) on HLT.

-3 pilot lights with needle valves.

-3 STC electronic solenoid gas valves (3 spare ASCO valves included).

-2 digital LOVE controls mounted in fully enclosed control box.

-Low pressure adjustable propane regulator with pressure gauges.

-Silicone High Temp liquid lines with custom.

-4 hoses with all SS quick disconnect fitting from More Beer.

-3 analog thermometers mounted in all three vessels.

-False bottoms in both the Brew Kettle and Mash Tun.

15 gallon Mash Tun keggle with False Bottom and "whirly-gig" sparge arm.

15 gallon Hot Liquor Tank keggle.

-Custom control panel box with custom made terminal board.

-Custom liquid measuring stick made from square tubing.

-Fire extinguisher mounted.

-Stainless steel bottle opener mounted on unit.

-Complete pentair water filtration system built in.