My New HERMS Setup

I finally got around to taking photos of my upgraded rig. This was a "dry" run of 15 gallons of Star San solution to test and clean everything out.

First, I've installed a good quality water filter on the stand.


Here is a shot of the system setup as if it was recircluating the mash (except I cut off the pump which is right under the top frame).


Here it is setup for sparging.


And into the boil kettle.

Continued...

From the Boil Kettle through the Wort Chilling Station.


And from the Wort Chilling Station into the Fermenator.

Sexy....... very sexy

Most excellent!!! How long to dump to the conical and what is the finished temp?

I want all your gear inside my brewhaus. What's your address? I'll send a truck.

That was my first time using the new wort chiller, so I did it pretty slow. Probably took 20 mins. I had pre-chilled the fermentation cabinet down to 32 degrees to assist. I'm not certain the temp on the backside of the wort chiller but it was cool to the touch... just ordered a Thrumometer to add inline so I can get an exact reading.

Thats really damn cool. What kind of fridge is that fermenator in. Is that a laboratory fridge.

Arneba28 said:

Thats really damn cool. What kind of fridge is that fermenator in. Is that a laboratory fridge.

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They are upright freezers I converted. You can read about them here - https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=66926

I really need to do something to put all my projects together under one thread or something - prehaps I need to just put it all in my sig.

Well, I hate to admit this but last night as I started sparging, my wife and boys showed up and I forgot to kill the heat in the HLT. If you've been following one of my other threads, this is something that will be fool-proof with my "Brew Monitor" application.

This is what happens when you run a heating element out of water... damnit.



So, I decided to use this as a chance to upgrade from 3500 watts to 5500 watts. It was doubled up and somewhat flexible at the bend, so I bent it around to stick up through the middle of the HERMS coil to more evenly heat the HLT.

You're not on your own.

I did this and set my plastic HLT on fire!!!!!!

How many amps is the controller rated for?

brewjunky said:

How many amps is the controller rated for?

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The Love controller is only rated for 16 amps. The new heating element will pull around 22~23 amps. I guess I haven't mentioned I'm in the process or replacing my control panel... I'll post details of it soon.

JB, did you do any write-ups on your electric element wiring? I'm about to make "The Jump" over to the electric side, and I'm sh!tting myself in fear that I'll do something wrong. Also, I'll be waiting with antici-----pation for the new controller write-up.

Like the new element, clever! And I, too, fear the getting-distracted-while-an-element-is-on demon. Can't wait to try out the beta of the *ahem* secret project.

You da man, JB! Cheers!
C

John Beere said:

The Love controller is only rated for 16 amps. The new heating element will pull around 22~23 amps. I guess I haven't mentioned I'm in the process or replacing my control panel... I'll post details of it soon.

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Are you interested in getting rid of your old loves controllers??

blaze379 said:

Are you interested in getting rid of your old loves controllers??

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+1 Let me know if you're parting the old ones out, I'm in the market for one. Was just browsing the site you linked, a few hours ago.

Thanks for the inquiries but I'm probably going to hang on to them as I seem to always seem to be coming up with other DIY projects... plus, right before I dismantled the existing control panel, I realized one of the 110v controllers isn't working - all it will do is read the current temp. It might get downgraded to an electronic thermometer.

A two pin conductive liquid level probe or one of those stainless floating rings (mechanical hence more that can go wrong or get stuck) float level preventing another low liquid exposed element blowout. Controllers operating near their maximum resistance load like your element I would rather have the controller operate a relay. Relays are cheaper to replace than PID controllers. Let the relay contacts take the beating than your controller. True another electrical item to add to the circuit. JMO.

BrewBeemer said:

A two pin conductive liquid level probe or one of those stainless floating rings (mechanical hence more that can go wrong or get stuck) float level preventing another low liquid exposed element blowout. Controllers operating near their maximum resistance load like your element I would rather have the controller operate a relay. Relays are cheaper to replace than PID controllers. Let the relay contacts take the beating than your controller. True another electrical item to add to the circuit. JMO.

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Believe it or not, that didn't blow the PID, but check this space in another week or so - I am updating my entire rig...

Out of curiousity, why don't you sparge through your HLT heat exchanger so it gets cleaned at the same time?

Hell man, I don't know... probably because someone smarter than me hasn't come along and suggested it! Good idea!

John Beere said:

They are Love controllers. I got them from Cole-Palmer (Love On/Off Temperature Controllers Search Results - Cole-Parmer Catalog) a few months ago - it looks like Love has redesigned the looks of the controller since then, but all the specs seem the same.

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I just bought my LOVE 110v Temperature Controller, Thermistor from Cole Palmer and a thermostat element.

Element will take 20 days to come in for some reason? So, it will be about 3 weeks before I attempt to convert the fridge over.

Hi What does everyone think of Lonnie Mac's idea of a Counter-recirculating Re-sparge System. I am starting the plans for my brewing system and i am considering this for the obvios reason that i only need 2 pots and burners. i know i can add another pot and burner down the road but im building a 20gallon system so for now it would be nice to only need 2. the link below explains what the whole thing is about if you dont know what im talking about.
http://www.alenuts.com/Alenuts/brutus20.html

Kegwizard said:

Hi What does everyone think of Lonnie Mac's idea of a Counter-recirculating Re-sparge System. I am starting the plans for my brewing system and i am considering this for the obvios reason that i only need 2 pots and burners. i know i can add another pot and burner down the road but im building a 20gallon system so for now it would be nice to only need 2. the link below explains what the whole thing is about if you dont know what im talking about.
http://www.alenuts.com/Alenuts/brutus20.html

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I built one and it works well. I don't do the counter circulation thing anymore though. When it gets to that point I heat the rest of the water for mashout in the BK and then just pump that into the MLT then recirculate the MLT for 10 minutes or so. I then pump it all back into to the BK very slowly (.25 gal a minute). By doing this my efficiency went from 58% to 70%.

Mod: Would you mind splitting this out into a new thread for OT?

Can you tell me what you used for your thermometer setups? I'm building a HERMS system and ordered a weldless theremomter from morebeer, but i'm guessing i'll be replacing it down the road since the probe isn't protected and is the typical thin stem type. Your probe looks to be more rugged/industrial, and what i'm looking for.

Very sweet set up - nice work!!!

- where did you find that heavy duty burner?

can't see the photo.
can you repeat?

@e-gorka, if you hover over the photo in @Sab's decade-old post, you'll see he hasn't posted since May of 2020 -- may no longer be active here.

Cheers!

Ok.
I will look for themes with photos of brewery stands.

Try here: Show us your sculpture or brew rig
or here collapsible, 3 tier brew stand
or Three Tier Wooden Brew Stand Build
No doubt, there are more. Cheers.

sibelman said:

Try here: Show us your sculpture or brew rig
or here collapsible, 3 tier brew stand
or Three Tier Wooden Brew Stand Build
No doubt, there are more. Cheers.

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Thanks. watch these topics.
I saw on this forum a stand with a rotating third tier.
the mash tank can be tilted to discharge the spent grain.
but it was a long time ago.