Kill-A-Watt Brewery Build Compilation

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Yeah at first I drew up this insane panel with 3 PID's a big 1/16th Timer with a relayed horn, Lights, Levers (not switches mind you LEVERS)...and some non-essential blinking lights that really went to nothing.

I was saying think Binford meats Star Trek (I even had a slider I was going to try and wire in there)


But from my iPhone that I have on me anyway as I use Brew Pal for my recipes now...well that makes me rethink this whole plan....after all that might be crazy more impressive than the Brew Transporter (was my name in progress)

Glad I didn't buy anything yet :)
 
Not trying to start something, but did you consider using a flanged inlet NEMA configured connetor for power? Something like this:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/it...-_-Electrical-_-Plugs and Receptacles-_-3D047

You can put it on the back of your rig, and no need for a suicide cord hanging around. I am guiltly of using a suicide cord before, but it is sketchy stuff. Sure, you know what not to do with is, but somebody else might not.

Love the rig, not trying to flame you.
 
RDWHAHB said:
Not trying to start something, but did you consider using a flanged inlet NEMA configured connetor for power? Something like this:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/it...-_-Electrical-_-Plugs and Receptacles-_-3D047

You can put it on the back of your rig, and no need for a suicide cord hanging around. I am guiltly of using a suicide cord before, but it is sketchy stuff. Sure, you know what not to do with is, but somebody else might not.

Love the rig, not trying to flame you.
Click to expand...

Yup, we covered that :D No problem, no offense taken, legit question.
 
JayInJersey said:
Yeah at first I drew up this insane panel with 3 PID's a big 1/16th Timer with a relayed horn, Lights, Levers (not switches mind you LEVERS)...and some non-essential blinking lights that really went to nothing.

I was saying think Binford meats Star Trek (I even had a slider I was going to try and wire in there)


But from my iPhone that I have on me anyway as I use Brew Pal for my recipes now...well that makes me rethink this whole plan....after all that might be crazy more impressive than the Brew Transporter (was my name in progress)

Glad I didn't buy anything yet :)
Click to expand...


You know, I was going down the same road, then someone mentioned the BCS, and I was like.. right, I know nothing about that, I know PIDs...

Well, this is way cooler IMHO. "Um, where is your control panel?" "Um, there is an app. for that!"

It isnt for everyone, most people prefer manual switches, but we are all individuals ;)
 
that RIMS heater assembly in your last pic is one impressively huge hunk of metal.
 
It is huge, it is heavy as HELL. Cant wait to see if the mechanical side works as well as the electrical!
 
I'm starting to worry about you POL. This thing is becoming an addiction. :D
So I guess you can program this beast the night before to heat your water before you wake? Nothing like waking to a full coffee pot and steaming kettles aye? Is there something wrong with waiting to break in a new build, while wanting anothers build?:confused:
 
Dog House Brew said:
I'm starting to worry about you POL. This thing is becoming an addiction. :D
So I guess you can program this beast the night before to heat your water before you wake? Nothing like waking to a full coffee pot and steaming kettles aye? Is there something wrong with waiting to break in a new build, while wanting anothers build?:confused:
Click to expand...

Who are you talking about??

Hows yours coming?
 
The Pol said:
Who are you talking about??

Hows yours coming?
Click to expand...

Mine fails in comparison :( Excited none-the-less. Should be checking for leaks on Monday. Checking to see how much everything retains. Planning on brewing on the
20th. It's at my shop several miles away. Makes it hard to make consistant advances on it. Yours looks awesome. I can't wait to make an electric rig, may be a while, but I will build one.
 
The Pol said:
The premise is a 2 vessel system, capable of 5-10 gallon batches. No sparge, but a Brutus 20 type recirculation process.

-Overall dimensions of 48" wide, 20" deep and 40" high.
-BK wattage: 9000W (30,717 BTUs)
-RIMS wattage: 9000W (30,717 BTUs)
Pumps: LG 3-MD-HC magnetic drive pumps (2x the flow of a March 809)
Control: BCS 460

It all starts somewhere:
CurrtentHardware.JPG


These are the new pumps (sold March 809's in photo):
P10306661.JPG
Click to expand...


How do you like the center inlet pumps i just and was curious to see how well they work as opposed to your previous pumps?
 
JUSTINTIMEBREWING said:
How do you like the center inlet pumps i just and was curious to see how well they work as opposed to your previous pumps?
Click to expand...

I think they are better built, they have a much higher flow rating than the March too... have not used them as I JUST got the wiring completed and tested.
 
Dog House Brew said:
Mine fails in comparison :( Excited none-the-less. Should be checking for leaks on Monday. Checking to see how much everything retains. Planning on brewing on the
20th. It's at my shop several miles away. Makes it hard to make consistant advances on it. Yours looks awesome. I can't wait to make an electric rig, may be a while, but I will build one.
Click to expand...

I am excited to see yours complete too... there are several great builds going on right now.

I have been lucky, had plenty of time the past couple weeks to build. I will have a brewcast in March I think? We will see.
 
What is the height measurement of a 40a SSR + heat-sink? On a side note, I read that you are a pilot, do you fly for Continental?
 
zGrubermeister said:
What is the height measurement of a 40a SSR + heat-sink? On a side note, I read that you are a pilot, do you fly for Continental?
Click to expand...

I am a captain at Republic Airways Holdings.

Um, the height... I am thinking 3" ??? Not at home, in Ottawa, so I cant measure.

DEPENDS on where you get the heatsink though, they are all different.
 
bakins said:
Did you have pics of this? I must have overlooked this. I grounded mine straight to pot, but interested in how you did it.
Click to expand...

No, I did not, I had some wire connectors that I was able to get on the ground, then soldered it to the base of one of the elements. Then all of that is encased in 75ml of epoxy! I didnt want another hole in my kettle, already have enough!
 
ok, so you just soldered it to the base of the element then it's screwed to the pot. no problem. i haven't bought anything yet but that was my 1 question.

i actually do building automation so i have access to web based control's out the wazoo, this is gonna be fun.

thanks

dave
 
davefj40 said:
ok, so you just soldered it to the base of the element then it's screwed to the pot. no problem. i haven't bought anything yet but that was my 1 question.

i actually do building automation so i have access to web based control's out the wazoo, this is gonna be fun.

thanks

dave
Click to expand...

No problem Dave...
 
Got a ???

In a grounded system that is also on a GFCI circuit. Wont the GFCI trip the breaker WAYYYYYY before the ground wire creates a draw that will trip the breaker?

I know the ground will save your arse if the GFCI fails, but it is a question.
 
The Pol said:
Got a ???

In a grounded system that is also on a GFCI circuit. Wont the GFCI trip the breaker WAYYYYYY before the ground wire creates a draw that will trip the breaker?

I know the ground will save your arse if the GFCI fails, but it is a question.
Click to expand...

GFCI and the breaker protect different things. The former protects humans, the latter protects property.

GFCI monitors for residual current loss in the circuit (5mA in the US) and trips in 25ms. The current loss could be to ground OR to another circuit. The circuit breaker will simply pass current up to its rated limit. GFCI is useless in an overload or short-circuit condition as there's no current loss.

The straight answer to your question is, yes GFCI will trip first in a current-to-ground failure but GFCI can protect in other ways.
 
Right right, but a GFCI breaker covers both, over current and a ground fault (current leaking to anything grounded even slightly).

Thanks, that is what I thought.
 
The Pol said:
Right right, but a GFCI breaker covers both, over current and a ground fault (current leaking to anything grounded even slightly).
Click to expand...

Absolutely not. GFCI doesn't care or know one bit about overload. That's why the GFCI protected outlet in my garage NEVER fires when my compressor and beer fridge run at the same time. Breaker pops w/o fail though.

Meh, my bad Pol, I misread your sentence. Yup, GFCI at the breaker would cover both.
 
The Pol said:
It is huge, it is heavy as HELL. Cant wait to see if the mechanical side works as well as the electrical!
Click to expand...


Yah. I'm thinking about the thermal inertia of all that steel. I will be most interested in how that assembly works out.
 
Ahh. Gotcha. Sorry for bringing it up again. I thought about it yesterday while I was picking up some things and didn't notice the question had been posed.
 
Here is a short vid I did this morning while playing with the BCS and checking wiring stuff!

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Way cool! Thanks Pol.
This build has really got me thinking. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I have decided that my new brewpub/ccokshack/pool party room, really needs it's own brew station. The old coolers and kettles just won't do.
Not sure what direction I'm gonna go in(rims/herms/gas/electric), but it sure is nice to have play by play builds like this to inspire me.
 
Layne said:
Way cool! Thanks Pol.
This build has really got me thinking. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I have decided that my new brewpub/ccokshack/pool party room, really needs it's own brew station. The old coolers and kettles just won't do.
Not sure what direction I'm gonna go in(rims/herms/gas/electric), but it sure is nice to have play by play builds like this to inspire me.
Click to expand...

I am glad that you are inspired to innovate, I dont want people to really emulate my build, but I like the inspiration that comes from them!
 
cool video. That's going to break some hearts.

through this assembly I've wondered what you are doing to get the heat off your relays. Did I miss something like a long extruded heat sink?
I know you have a fan. I saw that.
 
Cliff897 said:
cool video. That's going to break some hearts.

through this assembly I've wondered what you are doing to get the heat off your relays. Did I miss something like a long extruded heat sink?
I know you have a fan. I saw that.
Click to expand...

All of the SSRs that have more than 3A across them have heatsinks. You can see them in the video
 
Dog House Brew said:
Back from the stars aye? Looks like it is an equipment work day. :D
Click to expand...

This was a horrible week at work, a horrible trip. I came home and had some Jamaican rum and did some wiring on the rig.

Not much work to do... I mean, just waiting on the wireless thing still
 
Really? Waiting on a computer gadget?

I could have sent you 1 a day since the time you bought them...who did you get it from?


Then again I have little to no tolerance of any stocked item shipping anymore...
 

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