shroomzofdoom
Well-Known Member
Putting together the pieces for a my new electric brewing rig and now need to install my breakers and spa panel.
Before I do, I'd like your thoughts on the pros and cons of a 30 amp vs a 50 amp setup. Not sure if this thread exists elsewhere, but I did search a bit and came up with a few close to it, not exactly what I am looking for though...
Here's what I have so far, please correct where I am wrong and feel free to add anything I missed:
30 amp
PROS
-Cheaper control panel, no need for breakers in the panel
-Cheaper for extension cord. My rig will be about 35 feet from the spa panel. (assuming 8/4 SOOW for 30 amp?)
-Cheaper GFCIs
-If RIMS brewer, this could be all the power you need
CONS
-Can only run one element at a time (5500w @ 240=roughly 22 amp draw; 4500w @ 240=roughly 18.75 amp draw?) which makes heating strike water for HERMS a bit of a dance
-Future expansion to 50amp not simple, could mean significant control panel and wiring upgrades
-Longer brewday
50 amp
PROS
-Can run two elements simultaneously (assuming 5500/4500)
-Faster brewday, faster time to heat
-More flexibility in choosing elements, more configurations: 5500/4500, 4500/4500, etc
-Ease of future expansion
CONS
-Cost of breakers/extra wiring in control panel
-Cost of extension cord (assuming 6/4 SOOW for 50 amp?)
-Cost of spa panel and GFCIs
My conclusion is that the HERMS brewer looking to do 10G batches has fewer options and that 50amp is really the way to go.
What did I miss gang?
Before I do, I'd like your thoughts on the pros and cons of a 30 amp vs a 50 amp setup. Not sure if this thread exists elsewhere, but I did search a bit and came up with a few close to it, not exactly what I am looking for though...
Here's what I have so far, please correct where I am wrong and feel free to add anything I missed:
30 amp
PROS
-Cheaper control panel, no need for breakers in the panel
-Cheaper for extension cord. My rig will be about 35 feet from the spa panel. (assuming 8/4 SOOW for 30 amp?)
-Cheaper GFCIs
-If RIMS brewer, this could be all the power you need
CONS
-Can only run one element at a time (5500w @ 240=roughly 22 amp draw; 4500w @ 240=roughly 18.75 amp draw?) which makes heating strike water for HERMS a bit of a dance
-Future expansion to 50amp not simple, could mean significant control panel and wiring upgrades
-Longer brewday
50 amp
PROS
-Can run two elements simultaneously (assuming 5500/4500)
-Faster brewday, faster time to heat
-More flexibility in choosing elements, more configurations: 5500/4500, 4500/4500, etc
-Ease of future expansion
CONS
-Cost of breakers/extra wiring in control panel
-Cost of extension cord (assuming 6/4 SOOW for 50 amp?)
-Cost of spa panel and GFCIs
My conclusion is that the HERMS brewer looking to do 10G batches has fewer options and that 50amp is really the way to go.
What did I miss gang?