Hey guys,
Let me first start of by saying that I've learned an IMMENSE amount of information over the past 5 months regarding ebreweries from just reading various HBT threads and checking out Kal's website. I haven't however, really found a good primer for those with ZERO electrical engineering background (my biomedical engineering degree does me no good here!).
Essentially I am in the process of building my electric brewery. Here are my components:
2 custom build 11-gallon kettles (for HLT, BK)
10 gallon Igloo MLT
2 5500W heating elements (for HLT, BK)
1 Chugger pump
1 Plate chiller
1 keezer (converted freezer)
1 fermentation chamber (converted freezer)
1 small serving fridge
Initially I wanted to go the PID route, but after realizing I could use the BCS-462 to power my converted freezers (for fermentation fridge and kegerator), I have jumped on the BCS train!
So here is what I am thinking:
BCS-462
HLT temperature control
MLT temperature reading
BK temperature control
Plate chiller temperature reading
Keezer temperature control
Fermentation temperature control
Serving fridge temperature control
Ambient air temperature reading
E-stop and red LED indicator
Keyed on/off switch for brewing control and a green LED indicator
3 way switch (auto/off/manual) for pump (and yellow LED indicator)
3 way switch (HLT/OFF/BK) for element control (and blue LED indicator)
Here are some preliminary questions that will hopefully get me point in the right direction:
1. Is it possible to run my fermentation chamber, serving fridge, kegerator, and brew day operations (1 element at a time and the pump) simultaneously with a 30A GFCI?
2. Can I make it so that the BCS is powered independently of the brewing control panel, but still included in the brewing control panel? (Assuming I will need a direct power source to the BCS)
3. What is the easiest (and hopefully cheapest) way to make the BCS wireless?
4. Will you guys help me construct my control panel?
I'd really like to turn this thread into a "How to ..." with step by step instructions and detailed explanation of not only HOW to build it, but WHY you need each component, what they do, etc. I know this might sound stupid to all of you advanced electrical guys, but for us regular folk, I think a home-built ebrewery is an option with a little guidance.
I have looked at over a dozen BCS builds and they are informative and have given me some information, but since each system is a little different, it has been hard to compare apples to apples. Plus, I can't read electrical diagrams, so its hard to know what the components are going into the systems.
Anyway, thanks for the help!
Let me first start of by saying that I've learned an IMMENSE amount of information over the past 5 months regarding ebreweries from just reading various HBT threads and checking out Kal's website. I haven't however, really found a good primer for those with ZERO electrical engineering background (my biomedical engineering degree does me no good here!).
Essentially I am in the process of building my electric brewery. Here are my components:
2 custom build 11-gallon kettles (for HLT, BK)
10 gallon Igloo MLT
2 5500W heating elements (for HLT, BK)
1 Chugger pump
1 Plate chiller
1 keezer (converted freezer)
1 fermentation chamber (converted freezer)
1 small serving fridge
Initially I wanted to go the PID route, but after realizing I could use the BCS-462 to power my converted freezers (for fermentation fridge and kegerator), I have jumped on the BCS train!
So here is what I am thinking:
BCS-462
HLT temperature control
MLT temperature reading
BK temperature control
Plate chiller temperature reading
Keezer temperature control
Fermentation temperature control
Serving fridge temperature control
Ambient air temperature reading
E-stop and red LED indicator
Keyed on/off switch for brewing control and a green LED indicator
3 way switch (auto/off/manual) for pump (and yellow LED indicator)
3 way switch (HLT/OFF/BK) for element control (and blue LED indicator)
Here are some preliminary questions that will hopefully get me point in the right direction:
1. Is it possible to run my fermentation chamber, serving fridge, kegerator, and brew day operations (1 element at a time and the pump) simultaneously with a 30A GFCI?
2. Can I make it so that the BCS is powered independently of the brewing control panel, but still included in the brewing control panel? (Assuming I will need a direct power source to the BCS)
3. What is the easiest (and hopefully cheapest) way to make the BCS wireless?
4. Will you guys help me construct my control panel?
I'd really like to turn this thread into a "How to ..." with step by step instructions and detailed explanation of not only HOW to build it, but WHY you need each component, what they do, etc. I know this might sound stupid to all of you advanced electrical guys, but for us regular folk, I think a home-built ebrewery is an option with a little guidance.
I have looked at over a dozen BCS builds and they are informative and have given me some information, but since each system is a little different, it has been hard to compare apples to apples. Plus, I can't read electrical diagrams, so its hard to know what the components are going into the systems.
Anyway, thanks for the help!