Pol 2 cooler herms clone with control panel

Hello all.

It's my turn to upgrade my brewing system. I'm looking to put together a clone of pols 2 cooler system, but I don't intend to go ALL electric. What I mean, is I'll keep using propane to heat my boil kettle but I will use a 120v heating element and HERMS, maintained via a temperature controller.

I have read many hours of threads here and it seems clear that using a simple ranco controller and pump is the easiest way. But of course I don't want THAT. Call me superficial i you want, but I really want to have a baller control panel. I want it to be user friendly and look the part! I realize this is far from necessary, but why not?

I really like the PID as it has the dual digital readout of set temp and actual temp for the HLT. Since I'm not using a "mega" element like most here, and instead using a 1500w 120v, could someone point me to which temp controller, SSR, and heat sink I need?

This is the type of PID I'm looking for... http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

I also want to mount a digital thermometer to the control panel face. Can any one recommend a good digital mountable temperature display that has a quality temperature sensor that can be used in thermocouple or thermowell. I'm beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just get 2 of the same temp controllers and leave 1 unconnected to anything. I'd use 1 to control the element/HLT and the other to just display the mash temp.

The second one could be used to, for example, sound an alarm for an out of temperature alert and you'd always have a spare on hand. At the price this sounds like a good idea to me.

you basically described my build.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/jester-brewing-build-364598/

get a Auber 2352, 20 amp ssr with matching heatsink and whatever probe you want. I chose the cheapest RTD I could find. I dont use a thermometer because the temp is displayed on the PID.

Thanks for the replies. I think I like the idea of just getting 2 of the auber PIDs. It'll look cleaner as they will match. That's a great idea wiring an alarm or light to click on when the temp is out of range with the second controller.

Any thoughts on using a pump to recirculate/stir the water in HLT around the coils. I'd rather not have to buy a second march pump just for that if I don't need to. I'd also rather not rig up a motorized stirring device like Pol's orinigal build. I was looking at the cheap pumps on amazon (http://www.lightobject.com/High-Tem...ni-DC-12V-Water-Pump-FDA-food-grade-P709.aspx) but they are DC and looks like they might not be ideal for brewing. However, I have read that some people are happy with them for brewing. I recently found the pumps from Canada (http://greatbreweh.com/Beer_Pump.html).

Should I just buck up and buy 2 march pumps?

what about something like this?

http://www.lightobject.com/High-tem...9GPH-mini-Water-Pump-FDA-Food-grade-P711.aspx

it's only $14. just wire it in with a wal wart. its submersible too.