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Boerderij_Kabouter · 02-11-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendavanza

What is the disadvantage of routing through the RIMS first?

March (and all centrifugal) pumps are not positive displacement. The do not create a positive vacuum on the back side of the pump and as such do not self prime. You can think of it as pushing the liquid, not pulling it. You want to push the liquid through the RIMS and any other components. It can work on the inlet side of the pump but is not ideal.

Coderage has his positioned this way and his system works for him. But in general, it is a bad idea to restrict the flow in any way before the pump. You want as much flow as possible to the pump, then restrict it (ball valve, RIMS, HERMS, Chiller, etc.) downstream.

**IrregularPulse** · 02-11-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendavanza

It's a Watlow inline heater, unknown original purpose and model # but looking at their site they make all sorts of immersed heaters and food related equipment.
http://www.watlow.com/

We have equipment at watlow. We had a service guy there last month and I tried to talk him into grabbing me some heat sticks. He was in a different area though

bendavanza · 02-11-2010, 01:55 PM

I may wrap a loose layer of reflectix or similar around the RIMS tube but I'm not very concerned about getting burnt. I touch the ss fittings on my pump with 170˚ mash running through it, it's hot but not dangerous.

chrisrush · 02-11-2010, 02:45 PM

I'm very interested in this. I got a March pump for Christmas as well and I am looking at RIMS as well. I like the components of your RIMS tube.

I agree with the RIMS placement. The only advantage of having the RIMS before the pump would be to keep the RIMS heater wet at all times.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 02-11-2010, 02:48 PM

I would arrange it like this

pump inlet => pump outlet => RIMS => ball valve

This way you are controlling flow through the RIMS, adequately supplying the pump, and limiting flow as desired.

bendavanza · 02-12-2010, 04:14 PM

Some slight progress:
I took a slice of a giant Apple G5 heatsink. It may be overkill but I know it will keep the SSR happy. Next up is to drill and tap the sink. I radiused the outer edges because they were sharp.

lehr · 02-12-2010, 05:22 PM

I dont have a heat sink on mine and I dont feel any heat fron the box.

Pat

TimWeber · 02-12-2010, 05:55 PM

Have you seen this? Very similar.
http://www.brew-magic.com/rims_wizard.html

Take a look at the price. OMG! I built mine for less than $500.

bendavanza · 02-13-2010, 11:48 AM

I will have about $175 in this because the pump was a gift.

**CodeRage** · 02-13-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boerderij_Kabouter

...
Coderage has his positioned this way and his system works for him. But in general, it is a bad idea to restrict the flow in any way before the pump. You want as much flow as possible to the pump, then restrict it (ball valve, RIMS, HERMS, Chiller, etc.) downstream.

I don't think there is enough restriction in the HEX to make a difference. It is pretty free flowing and I can get about 5gpm of flow out of it.

The only problem I have had is that sometimes if I am not paying attention and it starts to get too hot, it will blow steam causing the pump to loose it's prime. I do have the temp probe too far away which is a big part of the problem. With proper probe placement I don't see putting the hex in front of the pump as a problem at all.