My simple two receptacle all grain build - Page 10

bakins · 11-11-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

BTW, what sort of square pot are you using?

Sorry, by square I meant it's as wide as it is tall. It's still a cylinder

**IrregularPulse** · 11-11-2009, 12:53 PM

Curious when you guys say "dial back your percentage". I understand you're dialing back the duty cycle of the element through the PID. But what physically is done for this? Is there a potentiometer hooked to it, a digital interface connected or does the PID actually have an interface built in. I think I answered my own question while typing but I'll leave it to confirm. I think the PID's have a display and buttons on top right? Does it show as a percentage or...?

The Pol · 11-11-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrregularPulse

Curious when you guys say "dial back your percentage". I understand you're dialing back the duty cycle of the element through the PID. But what physically is done for this? Is there a potentiometer hooked to it, a digital interface connected or does the PID actually have an interface built in. I think I answered my own question while typing but I'll leave it to confirm. I think the PID's have a display and buttons on top right? Does it show as a percentage or...?

Typically a SV (set value) window, PV (present value) window. Several buttons along the bottom of the Auber PID... when boiling we use manual mode, which is a % output. Basically it is an ON/OFF function that controls duty cycle.

70% is 70% ON and 30% off, my cycle time is 1 second, so that means at 70% it is on for 70% of that second and off for 30% of it, that is one complete cycle.

I utilize auto mode when sparging, such that my kettle remains at 180F, this way after the sparge I am boiling in 5 minutes flat.

wyzazz · 11-11-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

You see, though, at least your boil off is less.

Boiling off 1.2 gallons/hour with 5,600 BTUs is amazing, when you think about it. That is the power of a single stove top burner.

You are still using 9200 BTUs to get a gallon boil off, he is using half and getting more boil off than you are.

I am applying about 13,000 BTUs to achieve 1.3 gallons boil off. So basically 40% more power than you Bakins, but I have about 30% more boil off as well.

BTW, what sort of square pot are you using?

Just a thought but some municipalities have more voltage on their 220v line than others. It's my understanding that it can vary from 208v-240v which may account for some of the differences you both see in your setups. Or maybe I'm just talking out of my @$$.

The Pol · 11-11-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyzazz

Just a thought but some municipalities have more voltage on their 220v line than others. It's my understanding that it can vary from 208v-240v which may account for some of the differences you both see in your setups. Or maybe I'm just talking out of my @$$.

My voltage measures 243VAC

**BrewBeemer** · 11-11-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pol

My voltage measures 243VAC

Is that reading at the 240 volt receptacle without a load on the line or at your 240 volt element while under load and at 100% on time? A big difference here in voltage drop with length and size of wire and cords used.
There can be a very wide difference in the elements voltage under load with each different brewing system on this forum as well what tap is used on the pig on the pole and how loaded down it is. Mine is across the steet and at 43% operating output so my Tig welder drawing 131 amps I have no problem as well any electric heating elements in the house or brewery. Granted there is a wide range of voltages in different cities to homes. Way out at the ranch at the end of the line we saw 203 volts no load, added 9KW of brewing elements and it dropped down to 186 volts at the elements with a vast reduction in BTU's available to brew with. I installed a buck boost transformer rated for 30KW located off a job site for free. A life saver as we have 245 volts at the elements under load and quick heating and boil times.

GC89 · 11-11-2009, 09:15 PM

My boil off calculations are rough pol, I dont currently have a sight glass just markings on the outside which I guestimate with the ribs on the keg. After my first running and sparges I had over 6 gallons, but am not entirely sure how accurate the markings on my bucket are. I could have got less boil off than I thought but it was at least a solid gallon for sure. I have 241v measured at the outlet with no load. The other thing to remember is the first 15-20min of my boil was up at 45% and a solid boil so that could account for the difference, I may have just been front heavy on my losses.

LiquidGold · 12-04-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacBruver

Hey! Is this you?

At least he is wearing safety goggles.....

Would want to injure an eye.