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Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-20-2009, 04:39 PM

So Jeremy ordered a ton last night. All the components for the control box are ordered along with most of the stainless fittings and the stainless lids. Next week we can start building!!!

Sockmonkey-

1. I believe the heat sink should be fine in an enclosure. It is designed to be used as such. Thanks for the advice though, we'll keep an eye on it.

2. The box will be a standard 19" metal toolbox, that is a ton of space for how much is going in it. I have wired stuff WAY tighter than this. I will take pics for everyone to see how it goes and how neat we can make it.

3. Good advice about the PID. I got the same advice from Coderage who I sent my wiring diagram to. We will be moving the PID/Element switch to the switching leg of the PID so that the element may be turned off without powering-down the PID.

Coderage kindly updated my drawing into a more friendly wiring diagram. I tried to lay mine out like the box will be arranged but I don't thnk it worked that well

Keep the advice coming. It is great to expand my knowledge and hopefully catch some pitfalls of the design!!!!

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-27-2009, 02:19 PM

This project is even cooler than I thought. We got most of the control box done Wednesday night and will be finishing it this weekend. Gratuitous brew porn to follow...

wyzazz · 11-27-2009, 09:13 PM

Eagerly waiting for the porn...

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-29-2009, 02:16 PM

Jeremy working away...

Parts laid out

Positioning the PID controller

PID installed in the toolbox

Drilling pilot holes for the switches

Finishing the switch mounting holes with a step bit

Last one...

Left to right: element switch, panel mount RTD connector, PID

Element switch, panel mount RTD connector, PID

Laying out the inside: pump, terminal blocks, fuse holders, SSR on heatsink, fan

continued................

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-29-2009, 02:30 PM

Another shot of the inside of the box. You can see how the pump is fully within the box, the connections changed a bit but that is shown later.

Finished box (we still need to solder the panel mount RTD connector to the PID)

Here you can see the pump connections. The inlet is out the side and the outlet is out the front. A ball valve connected to a tri-clover is used during brewing to control flow, but can be removed to keep the box compact during storage or transport.

Here is a shot of the back, you can see the fan inlet and the power connections. Left-to-right: Power in, element power, stirrer power, general outlet

Here is the fan inlet. It is the shape of an "S" like in Jeremy's Simple Brew Logo, he will be getting a white decal to make it more clear.

A better shot of the receptacles. They are splash resistent and we got them from home depot.

Another rear end shot.

continued.............

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Here are some inside shots.

And..... POWER!

Everything works as far as we can tell so far. We need to solder up the panel mount RTD, then get the kettles done and start testing. So far, I think it looks better than we hoped. This is going to be a great little system.

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-29-2009, 02:36 PM

I do have one question. Are the LED switches supposed to always be illuminated when the power is on? I thought they would only illuminate when the switch was turned to ON, but these are always illuminated when power is supplied to the box. It still looks awesome, I just want to be sure we wired them correctly.

**CodeRage** · 11-29-2009, 02:59 PM

Looks good mate.

Yes, they will always illuminate. To get them to illuminate in the on position yuou have two options.

If it is 120v circuit than you can just run a wire from the load side of the normally open switch to the 120v side of the lamp.

For your PID Disable switch you will have to put a second normally open contact on it and use it to gate 120v to the lamp.

I can't tell by looking at the pics but is the toolbox grounded? If not it needs to be.

Sawdustguy · 11-29-2009, 03:19 PM

It is coming together nicely BK. Very nice design. My only comment, and it is only good housekeeping, is to clean up the wiring rats nest in the tool box. No doubt it will work as is, but it will just look nicer.

**Ohio-Ed** · 11-29-2009, 03:44 PM

Looks very nice but I'm just curious about your "Power In"...
Looks like you are using a standard outlet, doesn't that mean you will need a cord with a male connector on each end? Could be hazardous? I'm not being critical, I'm dealing with the same thing on the panel I am building. Recessed plugs and/or locking connectors can be expensive.

What's the opinion of the HBT experts on this?

Ed