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jcaudill

jcaudill

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Joined
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Location
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I have been patiently waiting for months now to make this post. I decided to bypass all the build posts and instead start towards the end of the project when most of the build is done. All that's really in limbo now is the Brewtroller.

The short story:

- 2" steel tube, coated in Cermachrome (Ceramic coating with a chrome like sheen when you can burnish it)
- Adjustable leveling legs
- Hose(s) holder(s)
- Heavy duty wheels to ease moving it around
- Integrated wind shields
- 6" ring burners from Agrisupply
- Adjustable height burners (+/- 2")
- Adjustable height pilot light burners
- BIP main rail painted black with high-temp paint and secured by conduit clamps
- A plethora of brass fittings, regulators, valves, etc. Open to any questions!
- 1/4" Aluminum tubing to the Q314A pilots
- 2 x 809HS March pumps secured by U-Bolts and Plastidipped to protect the frame
- Secured water filter with bypass for unfiltered water (cleaning pots, etc)

I think that's about it. Open to any questions or comments. Thanks!

Build Photo Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57569099@N06/sets/72157625905054883/


IMG_0765 by brewerJP, on Flickr


IMG_0777 by brewerJP, on Flickr


IMG_0767 by brewerJP, on Flickr
 
There should be warning: Pictures are full of awesomeness!
Something tells me that you wont stop on this...
 
LOL - thanks very much all! I will try and be gentle on the picture posting such as not to overexcite anyone too much :)
 
Very nice, although I refuse to be jealous of propane setups. That coating is sweet, I hope it stays on when the heat is applied.


_
 
wildwest450 said:
Very nice, although I refuse to be jealous of propane setups. That coating is sweet, I hope it stays on when the heat is applied.


_
Click to expand...

Can't say I had a ton of choice in that matter. It's LP or bust :)

I hope the coating holds up too although I'll be shocked if it doesn't: it's rated to 2000 degrees and used on hot engine parts like manifolds and downpipes.

-J
 
Tell me more about the coating, is it a true baked on ceramic coating, did you do it yourself? I priced my stand at a local powder coating company, and I could have used SS for the cost of ceramic coating. I really like your rig.
 
It is a true baked on ceramic coating. Lookup cermachrome on Google and you'll be able to find out more about it. Like I mentioned in the first post it is commonly used on very hot engine parts like exhaust manifolds, turbo downpipes, etc etc - things that have 1800+ degree exhaust running through them. If for whatever reason this does not hold up then I think it's reasonable to say nothing will.

It is not a particularly cheap coating - on the other hand it's not that much more expensive than a true high-temp powdercoat which only stands up to 600 degrees typically. I'm just hoping I can add an viable alternative to the mix because we all know the issues people have encountered with various finishes. This is one I had not seen tried and am fortunate the place that is capable of doing it is 5 minutes from my house!

Thanks.
 
Looks nice! Looks very pro. I have a few....err...bunch questions as I am going down the same path (gas brutus-style stand with brewtroller control). The questions are:

-What kind of gas controllers and valves were you planning to run in order to work with Brewtroller?

-Each burner looks to have a slightly different gas setup on it. Can you explain the differences?

-How did you decide on the height of your wind shields?

-How did you determine the initial mounting height of your burners? Did you fire them up before final welding or just made it adjustable enough to work (Trying to figure this one out for myself)?

-I really like your adjustable burner "bar!" In the pictures I can't figure out how you mounted the burner to the bar. Can you show a pic of that?

Again, really nice work. This is one of those things that needs it's own dedicated framed picture on the desk at work.
 
worldzfree said:
Looks nice! Looks very pro. I have a few....err...bunch questions as I am going down the same path (gas brutus-style stand with brewtroller control). The questions are:

-What kind of gas controllers and valves were you planning to run in order to work with Brewtroller?

-Each burner looks to have a slightly different gas setup on it. Can you explain the differences?

-How did you decide on the height of your wind shields?

-How did you determine the initial mounting height of your burners? Did you fire them up before final welding or just made it adjustable enough to work (Trying to figure this one out for myself)?

-I really like your adjustable burner "bar!" In the pictures I can't figure out how you mounted the burner to the bar. Can you show a pic of that?

Again, really nice work. This is one of those things that needs it's own dedicated framed picture on the desk at work.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll do my best:

- I am running 110v solenoids from valves4projects on eBay - they have a good reputation in the community and are cheap enough. I am only running those and the two pumps on manual relays - no valves as I don't ever intend on any automated transfers.

- Ok as for the differences: BK burner is just a ball valve for flame control and them direct to the burner. No BT intervention here. HLT burner has a ball valve for flame control to the solenoid operated by BT and then to the burner. The tee is for the pilot light which is manually lit and has a needle valve to control gas into the pilot. MLT is very similar to the HLT except instead of a ball valve I use a 0-10 psi regular that gives much finer control of the MLT burner.

- For the height of the shield/burner I used the height from the SQ-14 (and this is what I used to use for brewing). That is 3" and I can go about an inch below that so I have around 3" range (I obviously can't go all the way to the top so hence why it's 3" and not 4"). I also tried to use some data I found laying around on HBT as to where people mounted their burners.

- I will get some better pics of the individual components and post them up shortly. I'll be back at the shop I think mid-week. I'll let you know when they're up.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

JP
 
worldzfree said:
Looks nice! Looks very pro. I have a few....err...bunch questions as I am going down the same path (gas brutus-style stand with brewtroller control). The questions are:

-What kind of gas controllers and valves were you planning to run in order to work with Brewtroller?

-Each burner looks to have a slightly different gas setup on it. Can you explain the differences?

-How did you decide on the height of your wind shields?

-How did you determine the initial mounting height of your burners? Did you fire them up before final welding or just made it adjustable enough to work (Trying to figure this one out for myself)?

-I really like your adjustable burner "bar!" In the pictures I can't figure out how you mounted the burner to the bar. Can you show a pic of that?

Again, really nice work. This is one of those things that needs it's own dedicated framed picture on the desk at work.
Click to expand...

I put some closer pictures of the burner supports on the photostream linked in the first post. Hope that helps.

Thanks!
 
I would be more impressed if the kettles were shown with the stand. I sure hope they aren't crummy converted kegs, polished or not they would not do justice to this machine. What is the distance from the floor to the top of the MT when in use? Do you fear fire and explosion risk with continuous pilot burners like that? you're gonna shoot your eye out kid!
 
More pictures coming soon ;-) I finally was able to transport it to my house today. I will assure you that I did not choose Keggle's for pots. While price may be attractive the uneven heat distribution is not and I am trying to produce quality brew!

I'll give you the measurements tomorrow as well because I don't remember them off the top of my head. I can tell you I have no fear of explosion. About the most I ever see happening is a massive fireball if there's a leak somewhere in my plumbing. It's no more of a risk to me than a common household water heater is.
 
Excellent! Looking forward to more pics. I think we need some pics of it in action once you get it finished.
 
So it's been a bit slow the last few weeks because I've been waiting for shipments to arrive with the remaining parts. I did clean up the propane plumbing and convert the pilot hard lines into flex lines so that I could easily take them apart later if need be. Also have the pump plumbing figured out I believe - the one that has the gate valve on it is what it will end up being - the other ignore as I haven't fixed it yet. Also had some basic stainless grates made to sit on top of my wind screens and elevate the pots - KISS. As you can see, I set the pots on there to get a more complete picture. Enjoy!


DSC_0114 by brewerJP, on Flickr


DSC_0117 by brewerJP, on Flickr


photo 2 by brewerJP, on Flickr


photo 1 by brewerJP, on Flickr


photo 3 by brewerJP, on Flickr


photo 4 by brewerJP, on Flickr
 
jcaudill said:
I have been patiently waiting for months now to make this post. I decided to bypass all the build posts and instead start towards the end of the project when most of the build is done. All that's really in limbo now is the Brewtroller.

The short story:

- 2" steel tube, coated in Cermachrome (Ceramic coating with a chrome like sheen when you can burnish it)
- Adjustable leveling legs
- Hose(s) holder(s)
- Heavy duty wheels to ease moving it around
- Integrated wind shields
- 6" ring burners from Agrisupply
- Adjustable height burners (+/- 2")
- Adjustable height pilot light burners
- BIP main rail painted black with high-temp paint and secured by conduit clamps
- A plethora of brass fittings, regulators, valves, etc. Open to any questions!
- 1/4" Aluminum tubing to the Q314A pilots
- 2 x 809HS March pumps secured by U-Bolts and Plastidipped to protect the frame
- Secured water filter with bypass for unfiltered water (cleaning pots, etc)

I think that's about it. Open to any questions or comments. Thanks!
Click to expand...


What PSI is your regulator? I build almost the same setup except with 3 of those burners. Seeing as how they are low pressure burners i thought i could bump up the regulator pressure then throttle that back with needle valves at the burner. Right now i only have a 10PSI regulator on it.

Also where did you get those needle valves that you are using?
 
mkirkland said:
What PSI is your regulator? I build almost the same setup except with 3 of those burners. Seeing as how they are low pressure burners i thought i could bump up the regulator pressure then throttle that back with needle valves at the burner. Right now i only have a 10PSI regulator on it.

Also where did you get those needle valves that you are using?
Click to expand...

Hello - the regulator on the tank is 0-30 and on the MT 0-10. Each of the burners are capable of 10psi or so but rarely if ever will all three run
full bore.

The needle valves came from www.flameengineering.com.

HTH, JP
 
I like the burner adjustability. Smart thinking. I have the Sabco brew frame. Made my own controller. The sabco is sealed for wind blockage I guess, but it's difficult to get enough air in there.

I got it tuned in, but it wasn't easily adjustable like yours.

You'll get some heat patina, but won't worry much because you'll be relaxing and having a homebrew!
Nice job.
 
bannonb said:
I like the burner adjustability. Smart thinking. I have the Sabco brew frame. Made my own controller. The sabco is sealed for wind blockage I guess, but it's difficult to get enough air in there.

I got it tuned in, but it wasn't easily adjustable like yours.

You'll get some heat patina, but won't worry much because you'll be relaxing and having a homebrew!
Nice job.
Click to expand...

Much appreciated thank you! I don't expect much in the way of patina unless it's on the pots which is ok. The stand is ceramic coated so it should not discolor. Either way - I certainly understand it's not going to look as nice as it does now in the long run so it's cool ;-)
 
Ok, it looks awesome, but when are we going to see it in action? Keep us posted on the results.
 
Waunabeer said:
Ok, it looks awesome, but when are we going to see it in action? Keep us posted on the results.
Click to expand...

LOL talk to USPS, UPS and Fedex about that please! I am waiting for some of the key electronics parts. I also have a minor issue in that my fermenters, grain mill and mash paddle are about 200 miles from here ;-) Hoping by the end of the month or so I'll have everything in place.
 
Ok it's been a while since I've updated this thread. There's been a lot of waiting for stuff to arrive more than anything but there are some accomplishments at least!

The control panel lives - the enclosure is a simple security box that has been drilled and milled for the various components. This is a Brewtroller 4.0 Pro setup.

Here's the outside:


Untitled by brewerJP, on Flickr

And inside (this photo was taken before I was completely finished):


Untitled by brewerJP, on Flickr

I wired the probes up to test and it works brilliantly.

I don't have a picture, but because of the leveling feet additions to the brewstand, the 2 wheel approach to moving the stand isn't practical because of the angle it has to be lifted to move it. So I purchased these and am REALLY happy with the result: http://footmasterusa.com/products/detail.asp?bic_code=Leveling&small_code=GD&p_name=GD-40S. I'll be using them on my Keezer as well.

I added a couple spigots to the garage:


Untitled by brewerJP, on Flickr

These are both Moen spigots - one is pure cold and the other mixes so I'll have hot water to clean equipment readily available.

This is my spunding setup:


Untitled by brewerJP, on Flickr

I plan to naturally carbonate all my beers this way.

Finally - this is my Keezer build in progress:


Untitled by brewerJP, on Flickr

I have another thread going on this one I'll link to later. For now, it looks just as you see it and I'm building the collar now.
 
Hard to believe it's been 8 months since I've updated this - and haven't finished it! But - things are progressing well and I have a tentative brew day planned for Easter weekend. Here are some updated pics:


photo 3 by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP

CIP for Brewhemoth

photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP

CIP lid for kettles

photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP


photo by brewerJP



The CIP nozzle I can switch between whatever I'm cleaning - will design one for Corny's soon. Also had to swap out the standard clamp bolt for a simple SS wing nut and washers because the standard clamp won't fit in the Brewhemoth

photo by brewerJP

Simple adjustable lid vent - currently on the BK only to help control hot break

photo by brewerJP

Tomorrow I am hoping to passivate the kettles and then I only have some basic wiring to do before I water brew. More to come soon.
 
Gonna try to revive this thread...but have you brewed on this thing yet? I'm curious about the burners you have and their efficiency. I currently use the jet burners on my rig and as everyone that has them know, they serious soot at low flame. Are you happy with these burners? I see they're only about $13.00 at Agrilsupply!
 
Excellent - I need the kick in the a** because I really should have posted back here months ago! I'll post up a catch-up thread here shortly - and yes it definitely has seen some action. Stay tuned!
 
Awesome. I'm really interested in how you like the burners and where you got the pilot igniters. I'm planning on putting in some upgrades on my brutus and the burners is where I want to start.

Looking forward to the updates! Kick-ass rig BTW.
 

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