My Automated E-Herms Build (LabJack)

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:08 PM

So after about 2 months of work I am finally at the point where I feel comfortable showing off my rig! I also have a few videos of my first brew session. I have a long way to go in the programming department to get the automation set up and I am really lazy when it comes to writing code. I stopped after I got it into the BK as everyone on here I think knows what to do after that, and if not there is already tons of info for it.

Any feedback is welcome. Let me know what you think! This was my first time brewing AG as well so please let me know if my technique is screwed up.

PICS!
The Rig.

7" Touchscreen Mounted on Computer case on wall

Boil Kettle

Mash Tun

HTL/HERMS Hex

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:09 PM

Videos: (Not sure what the code is to embed them ...)
Part 1
http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn335/cruelkix/?action=view&current=DSCN5319.flv

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:12 PM

Part 2
http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn335/cruelkix/?action=view&current=DSCN5321.flv

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:13 PM

Part 3
http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn335/cruelkix/?action=view&current=DSCN5322.flv

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:14 PM

Part 4
http://s320.photobucket.com/albums/nn335/cruelkix/?action=view&current=DSCN5323.flv

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 07:16 PM

And then I got a stuck mash when I ramped up to 154 F and stopped taking video. I Think I mixed my grain too much and pushed some through the false bottom. I got it fixed and ended up with a good gravity for me beer. I got 1.070 and I was shooting for 1.073. Considering the stuck mash and not knowing the efficiency of my set up I would say that's pretty good.

Try not to rip on my video taking skills too hard. I'm a little shaky and all over the place, haha.

-Craig

**jfkriege** · 01-10-2010, 08:47 PM

Looks pretty awesome. I would love to see more of what you did on the controls side and how you setup LabJack.

Joshua

**GNBrews** · 01-10-2010, 09:57 PM

Very cool man! You say that you got a stuck mash, likely because of messing with the grain bed. Is it even necessary to stir or mess with it once the pump is recirculating? With the way you've got it set-up, I would think that taking the cooler water from the bottom, heating it, then pumping it to the top would even-out any temperature differential in short order.

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfkriege

Looks pretty awesome. I would love to see more of what you did on the controls side and how you setup LabJack.

Joshua

I'll try to find some pics of inside of the electrical boxes. They aren't very pretty. I'm not electrician. I probably didn't do everything the way it should be done either.

cruelkix · 01-10-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNBrews

Very cool man! You say that you got a stuck mash, likely because of messing with the grain bed. Is it even necessary to stir or mess with it once the pump is recirculating? With the way you've got it set-up, I would think that taking the cooler water from the bottom, heating it, then pumping it to the top would even-out any temperature differential in short order.

That's a good question. Like I said, this is my first time brewing AG so I'm not really all that sure of what the stirring accomplishes. I was thinking that I would get some better hydrating if I stirred it every now and again. I guess I was a little worried about maintaining heat as I really don't have any sort of sparge arm yet. Any one have any good info on this one?