E-Keggle layout

I am working out the details of my keggle. Based on suggestions here I am going electric. A little history I just did my first AG beer and just spent today watching a pro brew at home. My list of needed toys has just grown.

My plan was to add a 1/2" nipple with another one with a site gauge and thermometer in one outlet.

I am looking to build a system with a cooler for a HLT, I have a cooler MLT. I want one boiler with a pump to control it all. After seeing the pro at work but trying it in a simplified way I am thinking I need a few more holes in my Keggle.

Here is my plan.

4 1/2" nipples

Output nipple at bottom
Input nipple higher up for recirculating for cooling
Site gauge & thermometer nipple in one
Thermocoupler nipple for a PID or SSR combo later

1" half coupler
for water heater inlet

Here's the catch. I have an easy shift this week and I have found someone that does sanitary welds. If I can figure this out ASAP and get the parts ordered i can have this done this week otherwise it may take a month or more to finish.

Is this too many nipples?
Can I put a thermocoupler in conjunction with the site gauge? Will this actually tell me the temp or just work with the PID and SSR to monitor a boil? What about the middle nipple for recirculation, anyone recommend this? I plan to add as many as I may need and cap them until I develop the whole system.

I have a 1" hole for the element, a 1/4" hole for the RTD probe, a 1/2" pick up and a 1/2" return, and can't remember the sight gauge size..

I wanted the sight gauge and element ports out of sight so if you are standing in front of the keg, the element is at 12 o'clock and the RTD is at 2 o'clock. Get the element as low as possible, I put the probe at the 2.5 gallon mark.

The sight gauge port is as low as possible but it is at the 7:30 position. If you want to put a thermometer on it you can get one with 1/4" threads. so just use some kind of threaded T for the sight tube base to accept it, keep you from drilling an additional hole.

The pick up tube and returns are at the 6 o clock, the pick up is located as low as possible and the return is at the 5 gallon mark. In hind sight I should have put the return no higher than the 4 gallon mark, nothing a little silicone tubing wont fix.
Also, with the pick up straight across from the element, measure how much clearance you have between the pick up and the element. Using a LLWD element it would just touch the street elbow of the pick up. Moving the element 15 deg one way or another would have eliminated this.

CodeRage said:

I have a 1" hole for the element, a 1/4" hole for the RTD probe, a 1/2" pick up and a 1/2" return, and can't remember the sight gauge size..

I wanted the sight gauge and element ports out of sight so if you are standing in front of the keg, the element is at 12 o'clock and the RTD is at 2 o'clock. Get the element as low as possible, I put the probe at the 2.5 gallon mark.

The sight gauge port is as low as possible but it is at the 7:30 position. If you want to put a thermometer on it you can get one with 1/4" threads. so just use some kind of threaded T for the sight tube base to accept it, keep you from drilling an additional hole.

The pick up tube and returns are at the 6 o clock, the pick up is located as low as possible and the return is at the 5 gallon mark. In hind sight I should have put the return no higher than the 4 gallon mark, nothing a little silicone tubing wont fix.
Also, with the pick up straight across from the element, measure how much clearance you have between the pick up and the element. Using a LLWD element it would just touch the street elbow of the pick up. Moving the element 15 deg one way or another would have eliminated this.

Click to expand...

I think CodeRage meant he has the Element and RTD probes out of sight...

I have mine setup very similar. I have not used the BK yet, still in the build process. I did put my element at the 10:30 position for the very reason CodeRage mentioned (to keep the end of the element away from the pickup tube), and my temp probe is at 1:30.

Keep in mind that you can always fill any couplings you don't use right away with a plug...

Good luck with your build.
Ed

Hehe Thanks for the catch Ed. Was a long day yesterday.

Thanks Guys,
As I said just wanted to make sure I had enough hardware and holes in my keggle. Until yesterday I was only planning on two 1/2" nipples but now feel like all the nipples I mentioned are a good idea.

I saw a link in one of the build pages a few days ago but can't find it now. Where can i find a 1" half coupling to weld in the element?

Also I have seen a PID will diplay temperature. Can I get the thermocoupler to run through a T in the same location as the site tube, or should i have a big thermometer to look at besides the Probe for the PID?

If in doubt that another hole will be needed I plan on putting it in and capping until my system gets that sophisticated.

I don't use a thermometer on mine, just the PID readout. The thought to add one has never crossed my mind so I would say that I don't think it is needed.

Auber has some nice RTDs with disconnects that have a liquid tight 1/4 NPT threads on it. You could use that in conjunction with your sight gauge.

CodeRage said:

Hehe Thanks for the catch Ed. Was a long day yesterday.

Click to expand...

Tell me you didn't have another midnight brew going....

Let's go easy with the term "pro", eh. RT process is a local company that deals in stainless parts of all kinds; I'd give them a try. Also did you ask Fox? He might have a line.

Glad I got some wheels spinning.

CodeRage said:

I don't use a thermometer on mine, just the PID readout. The thought to add one has never crossed my mind so I would say that I don't think it is needed.

Auber has some nice RTDs with disconnects that have a liquid tight 1/4 NPT threads on it. You could use that in conjunction with your sight gauge.

Click to expand...

+1 I do not plan on having thermometers in any of my vessels, just temp probes.

I did see a thread here recently (might have been yesterday), from a user that found (on ebay), a thermometer/sending unit combo. I don't remember the details, but it has a dial thermo and electrical connections in one unit.

Ed

MrBurd said:

Let's go easy with the term "pro", eh. RT process is a local company that deals in stainless parts of all kinds; I'd give them a try. Also did you ask Fox? He might have a line.

Glad I got some wheels spinning.

Click to expand...

If you got paid to brew, even if it was underpaid, you are a pro.

Thanks for the informative brew session yesterday. Got lots of great ideas and an new longer brewing shopping list.

Photopilot said:

Thanks Guys,
As I said just wanted to make sure I had enough hardware and holes in my keggle. Until yesterday I was only planning on two 1/2" nipples but now feel like all the nipples I mentioned are a good idea.

I saw a link in one of the build pages a few days ago but can't find it now. Where can i find a 1" half coupling to weld in the element?

Also I have seen a PID will diplay temperature. Can I get the thermocoupler to run through a T in the same location as the site tube, or should i have a big thermometer to look at besides the Probe for the PID?

If in doubt that another hole will be needed I plan on putting it in and capping until my system gets that sophisticated.

Click to expand...

I got all my fittings from plumbingsupply.com They seem to have a fair price on them. I ordered 10 fittings and an element so shipping price worked out OK.