So my wife and I just purchased our first home a little over two month ago. After resolving a large majority of the must-fix to-do list items I now have time to address the brewery... I know, I know, that should have been first, right? I need to have an electrician run a new circuit for power on the unfinished side of the basement so i can connect my keg fridge, ferm chamber, stir plate etc. There currently is only a lighting circuit. While I have the electrician there I figure i should run service for my future electric brew setup. The problem I am having is deciding how much power I will need? I currently have a very basic all grain setup that heavily relies on manual labor (no pumps, no separate liquor tank). When i move to electric, I would like to be able to move inside so i can have a dedicated setup and not have to lug everything outside, as well as advance my system (herms or rims). I currently brew 6 gallon batches, but in the past have done 3 and am strongly considering going back to 3 as I dont consume it quickly enough. If I need to make something larger than 6 I will go back outside for that specific occasion (probably never haha).
So here are a few of my questions:
1A) If I have the electrician put in 30A/250v line (possibly through spa panel). Can I split the two hot poles in my control panel to run 125V stuff (pretty sure i have seen this in others)?
1b) If I can split it, could I still run 250v stuff? For example, say I decide to have a 20A/250v plug, can I allocate the other 10 amps worth of energy 110v circuit? Guess I really would like to know about the limits of what i can do in the control panel
2) Considering instead of heatsticks I might go the induction route. If I wanted to do induction cooktops they would probably each need their own 15 or 20amp 125v circuit - is this possible through splitting up that 30a/250v sercive or should I have just run multiple 20a/125v lines?
3) since I will be spending a decent amount of money to eventually get this setup going, I'd like to speed up the brewday if possible, what is "too much" when it comes to heating elements if I am only doing 3 gallon batches (5500w, 4500w)? I guess the pot geometry comes into play to ensure the element is covered, otherwise any considerations?
4) would a standard range hood be enough to handle the moisture since i will usual be doing smaller batches, or will i still need a custom venting solution with a powerful squirrel cage type fan?
hopefully, this made sense! I am sure I will have more thoughts questions once I get some answers. Just trying to thoughtfully think ahead so I will have the right power setup for when i actually go to make electric setup. Any thoughts are much appreciated
Edit1: The reason i was thinking 30a/250v is so I would be able to take the system with us if we move years down the road - easy connection to a dryer outlet.
So here are a few of my questions:
1A) If I have the electrician put in 30A/250v line (possibly through spa panel). Can I split the two hot poles in my control panel to run 125V stuff (pretty sure i have seen this in others)?
1b) If I can split it, could I still run 250v stuff? For example, say I decide to have a 20A/250v plug, can I allocate the other 10 amps worth of energy 110v circuit? Guess I really would like to know about the limits of what i can do in the control panel
2) Considering instead of heatsticks I might go the induction route. If I wanted to do induction cooktops they would probably each need their own 15 or 20amp 125v circuit - is this possible through splitting up that 30a/250v sercive or should I have just run multiple 20a/125v lines?
3) since I will be spending a decent amount of money to eventually get this setup going, I'd like to speed up the brewday if possible, what is "too much" when it comes to heating elements if I am only doing 3 gallon batches (5500w, 4500w)? I guess the pot geometry comes into play to ensure the element is covered, otherwise any considerations?
4) would a standard range hood be enough to handle the moisture since i will usual be doing smaller batches, or will i still need a custom venting solution with a powerful squirrel cage type fan?
hopefully, this made sense! I am sure I will have more thoughts questions once I get some answers. Just trying to thoughtfully think ahead so I will have the right power setup for when i actually go to make electric setup. Any thoughts are much appreciated
Edit1: The reason i was thinking 30a/250v is so I would be able to take the system with us if we move years down the road - easy connection to a dryer outlet.