ScubaSteve

Recipes 

Nice...I like how you planned for small and large batches all in the same rig. I may very well design my single vessel rig that way, simply swapping out the pot and plugging in the element in to the appropriate receptacle.

__________________
UNIBREW 5500 SINGLE VESSEL BREWERY
WOODEN SINGLE TIER

ScubaSteve

Recipes 

I wonder, does your PID switch 2 outputs? It is obviously switching relays for your 2 110v elements.....but it will also need to switch 2 for your 220v element, right?

__________________
UNIBREW 5500 SINGLE VESSEL BREWERY
WOODEN SINGLE TIER

jfkriege

Recipes 

I thought about what I could carry over between two systems and this is what happened. Pumps, control box, valves (the only valves are on the outlet of the pumps), they all carry over. All that changes out are the tanks, elements, hose, and the P, I, and D values.

The PID switches 2 SSRs in parallel.

The output of SSR 1 goes to the phase A hot leg of the 240V outlet, and the hot leg of 120V element 1. The output of SSR 2 goes to the phase B hot leg of the 240V outlet, and the hot leg of 120V element 2. I pick which I am using by what I plug in.

It is probably not the best way to do it, but I am the only one that uses it, and for me it is fine.

Mose

Recipes 

I am continually discovering that I am missing a piece of the puzzle.

At the risk of embarassing myself with this question, do you need two SSR's to run a 220v element? I have a 40amp with sink on the way, but am starting to think I need to order a second. Thanks.

passedpawn

Recipes 

90% will say yes, because 220V has 2 hot legs. That 90% wants to ensure that, even though current has been interrupted to the element, there is no live voltage connected.

The other 10% doesn't worry about the element still being "live": the current is off, and that is enough.

I'm in the 90%. I'd say for an extra $20 you turn the whole thing off.

BTW, there are DSSR's (dual SSR's) that have two solid state relays in one standard SSR pkg. This is a sweet setup. I have 2 of these DSSRs in my control box. They can be a bit pricey, and they are not part of the cheap fare available on ebay (actually, that is where I bought mine, but it wasn't one of those "direct from Hong Kong" specials).

__________________
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

pickles

Recipes 

Awesome project! What is that jumbo distribution block called and where can I find one?

jkarp

Recipes 

I guess I'm in the 10%. You should never 100% trust SSRs are killing the current anyway. When they fail, they normally fail closed. Also note there will always be voltage. SSRs switch current, not voltage.

jfkriege

Recipes 

It is from automation direct:
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Power_Products_(Electrical)/Power_Distribution_Blocks/Open_Style,_UL_Recognized,_175A-760A_(PB_Series)/PB3063

They are certainly beefy. It is rated for 310 amps, which is perhaps a bit overkill.

jfkriege

Recipes 

For the extra $15 I wanted to put in another SSR. It is peace of mind, and in my case was required to run the two 120V elements.

willynilly

Recipes 

I think I have to put an obligatory post in here friend.

#1. Thanks for buying half of my homebrew gear, I know it has found a good home.

#2. Thanks for bringing the "mini brew" up so that I could see it in person, very out of the box little rig and worthy of compliment.

Nice build friend, looking forward to seeing you soon, probably in Bloomington when I head down to set up the new rig?

Thanks for always being there to bounce ideas off of, I appreciate your friendship!