freddyb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
- Messages
- 179
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I've been slowly putting together an electric brewing setup and I've been on the fence about going HERMS or RIMS. The well documented builds by The Pol and Sawdustguy, as well as the other outstanding systems on HBT, have been very helpful in my investigation. I have already converted a cooler (my former MLT) into an electric HLT and I'm now trying to decide how I want to maintain mash temp in my new insulated keggle MLT.
Today I stumbled across this interesting piece on eBay. I'm hoping that I can use it as a RIMS heater. I don't mind the additional PID/SSR required for RIMS vs. a HERMS setup and I'm not trying to turn this into a HERMS vs. RIMS debate. I'd like to get some feedback from members on the board as to whether or not this will make a suitable RIMS heater.
It was advertised as a 'Watlow Inline Tube Heater.'
Here's what else the auction said about this thing:
- Used/Removed from working medical surplus, in excellent condition
- Heatron/Watlow Firerod 1300 watt, 120vac, p/n N7L-5813 Type CR9
- Overall length: 9"
- Diameter: 1.25"
- Quick connect inlet/outlet diameter: 0.375"
- Includes quick connect couplers shown (0.375" to 1/4" tube)
- Stainless Steel
It also appears to have a thermocouple or something mounted in one of the plastic connectors. It would be even cooler if it's some sort of 'wet/dry' detecting switch used to prevent burning out the element, but I won't keep my hopes up. The wire leads appear to be uncut in one picture but cut in another. I'll just have to take a look when it arrives.
Potential concerns?
- Safe for brewing use? The body is SS so it should be easy enough to clean but I don't know about the element and gasket material. I can probably cut a new gasket out of silicone if necessary. If this was used as some sort of blood sterilizer I might not want to brew in it.
- Heating element density will scorch wort? Anyone with experience building a heating element and then redesigning it due to scorched wort? Maybe it's possible to replace the element in the end cap with a lower wattage/density solution.
- Inlet/outlet diameter of 3/8" (doesn't specify if that's inner or outer, but it looks to be the outer diameter) too small for good flow through the heater? I'll be circulating with my march pump. If the inlets are this small, will it be able to move the wort fast enough to avoid scorching?
Any comments or feedback would be much appreciated.
Today I stumbled across this interesting piece on eBay. I'm hoping that I can use it as a RIMS heater. I don't mind the additional PID/SSR required for RIMS vs. a HERMS setup and I'm not trying to turn this into a HERMS vs. RIMS debate. I'd like to get some feedback from members on the board as to whether or not this will make a suitable RIMS heater.
It was advertised as a 'Watlow Inline Tube Heater.'
Here's what else the auction said about this thing:
- Used/Removed from working medical surplus, in excellent condition
- Heatron/Watlow Firerod 1300 watt, 120vac, p/n N7L-5813 Type CR9
- Overall length: 9"
- Diameter: 1.25"
- Quick connect inlet/outlet diameter: 0.375"
- Includes quick connect couplers shown (0.375" to 1/4" tube)
- Stainless Steel
It also appears to have a thermocouple or something mounted in one of the plastic connectors. It would be even cooler if it's some sort of 'wet/dry' detecting switch used to prevent burning out the element, but I won't keep my hopes up. The wire leads appear to be uncut in one picture but cut in another. I'll just have to take a look when it arrives.
Potential concerns?
- Safe for brewing use? The body is SS so it should be easy enough to clean but I don't know about the element and gasket material. I can probably cut a new gasket out of silicone if necessary. If this was used as some sort of blood sterilizer I might not want to brew in it.
- Heating element density will scorch wort? Anyone with experience building a heating element and then redesigning it due to scorched wort? Maybe it's possible to replace the element in the end cap with a lower wattage/density solution.
- Inlet/outlet diameter of 3/8" (doesn't specify if that's inner or outer, but it looks to be the outer diameter) too small for good flow through the heater? I'll be circulating with my march pump. If the inlets are this small, will it be able to move the wort fast enough to avoid scorching?
Any comments or feedback would be much appreciated.