Newest Threads

**Dupell13** · 01-21-2012, 07:11 PM

Do yourself a favor and do a test run with the chugger pumps all the way up to the temperature you plan on using them at. They have had some issue with the impellers stopping at elevated temperatures around 170. They are rated for over 200 but give it a shot. If you have trouble their customer service was excellent at resolving the problem. When I bought mine 2 months ago I ran mine and at about 150 it was screaming like a banshee just circulating the HLT. The other issue that I had is these pumps need complete unrestricted flow to prevent cavitation. No less then .5" full port fittings should be used on the suction side. The discharge does not matter. The actually like some back pressure. Any ways just my 2 cents from my experience with these pumps.

**kal** · 01-21-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtsims21

Am i reading this right, you are running your exahust across the basement? If so you may have issues with condensation in the tube. If you are planning on a condenser you dont need to vent outside at all, thats what i am working on. Hopefully it works!

Been thinking about this myself for the last few hours. You see some commercial breweries use them like this small one:

Quote:

Steam condenser for the boil kettle. Cold water sprays in and condenses the steam from the kettle so it can just run into the drain instead of smelling up the neighborhood.

(original thread here)

For home use I don't see this really working because:

- You'd need to run water through it during the entire boil (very wasteful).

- Nothing is 100% efficient so you'd still get *some* humidity in the room which will build up. How much, I don't know.

- Heat: None of the heat escapes the room so the room would likely get very warm over time.

I'm still curious to hear about experiences with a steam condenser however. It's an interesting idea.

Kal

Lucky_Chicken · 01-22-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kal

Been thinking about this myself for the last few hours. You see some commercial breweries use them like this small one:

(original thread here)

For home use I don't see this really working because:

- You'd need to run water through it during the entire boil (very wasteful).

- Nothing is 100% efficient so you'd still get *some* humidity in the room which will build up. How much, I don't know.

- Heat: None of the heat escapes the room so the room would likely get very warm over time.

I'm still curious to hear about experiences with a steam condenser however. It's an interesting idea.

Kal

My plan will just get most of the steam, in the summer its not a big deal ill just leave a window open and in the winter a little humidity will be good!

for running water my plan was to recycle water from a large bucket with a pond pump.

with my system yes heat would build up and again in the winter thats good, and in the summer a fan will fix/ help with that.

sorry for the hyjack! I should probably start a thread on it.

**kal** · 01-22-2012, 02:26 PM

Yes please - start a thread. I have a lot of comments on your approach but don't want to hijack this thread...

Kal

**jbsengineer** · 01-31-2012, 01:31 AM

Ok, little progress so far. Parts have been rolling in, the pumps, fittings, wiring, inline fan, and spa panel.

This past weekend I cleaned and organized the basement (part of the deal with the wife). Today I finished mounting an LCD in the basement. I couldn't possibly brew without watching some sports or listening to some music.

Tomorrow a friend is coming over and we are going to start building the brew stand and ventilation hood.

This weekend, I have no formal plans so I should be able to get the brew stand finished, wiring installed, and pump stand installed.

Everything is ordered except some odds and ends, so I have about 2 or 3 boxes a day arriving, :-). My wife is starting to realize she agreed to something bigger than she thought,

!

**jbsengineer** · 01-31-2012, 01:36 AM

**jbsengineer** · 01-31-2012, 01:37 AM

Also, I'm looking into installing the control panel off of the brew stand. Some combination of a pole and articulating TV mount maybe.

**WAORGANY** · 01-31-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbsengineer

Yes, strangely mild. I'm a snowmobiler and I have been out yet. I have never had that happen before this late into the season....

Not to hijack the thread but I live about 75 miles north of SYR and rode for the first time last night....snow should be gone again tomorrow??? Strange winter for sure. I love reading these build threads, learn something new and different ideas on each one...hope to get my build further along soon....

**rockinmarty** · 02-01-2012, 12:51 AM

more more more. heck even Kal is on board for this brew porn. Can't wait to read more. BTW Kal any update on your brewery?

**jbsengineer** · 02-06-2012, 08:11 PM

This past weekend I was able to get the brew stand started. I made it a little deeper than Kal's plans. Same length. However, I kept notches in each corner. I'm going to sand or router the edges a bit and put a 2.5 foot long of 1.5" clear PVC pipe filled with malted barley in each corner. Each corner will have a sand art effect of grain. Hoping that turns out nice. I'm going to stain the stand very dark so the barley really sticks out.

The notches: