The_Gerbil_Brewer
Well-Known Member
I've been searching through a lot of topics on automation and I think the discussions most similar to what I'm looking to do are much more complex than needed. Without any prior experience with electrical work (besides building a stir plate) I'm not able to take what has been explained in those discussions and apply it to my project.
I'm building a single tier, 3 burner HERMS brewstand that will be run on propane. I'll be utilizing the BCS-462, 2 Honeywell Y8610U6006 gas valves with intermittent pilots, and 2 chugger pumps. While I may expand the level of automation in the future, at the moment I'm looking to have the BCS do the following:
- heat strike water and HLT water at the same time
- Maintain HLT water at prescribed temps
- cycle pump on and off to circulate mash liquor through HERMS coil
- record BK temps (plan to manually ignite but would like the BCS to collect data on boil)
I'd like the control panel to have the following characteristics:
- If possible have one plug powering everything (standard GCFI household outlet)
- Not modify pump power cords (i.e. have them plug into outlets controlled by BCS)
- CAT5 outlet on outside of control panel for me to plug my laptop into (which will connect via WiFi)
- Be able to control manually (saw 3 way switches being used in other BCS builds: Off, Manual on, BCS-controlled) in case BCS failed, internet connectivity issues, etc.
- Nice to have, but not necessary: lights indicating when each of the 4 elements is running (2 pumps, 2 gas valves)
I plan to keep the gas valve modules in a separate NEMA enclosure to utilize the wiring harness included with the kits (not very long) and also in hopes of avoiding interference with the BCS. I have a logical thought process but, as stated, have virtually no electrical experience so any and all info/advice is greatly appreciated (e.g what gauge wire, transformer/SSR specs, etc)
I've learned a ton so far through these forums and will make sure to pay any advice given forward. Thanks in advance for any assistance!
I'm building a single tier, 3 burner HERMS brewstand that will be run on propane. I'll be utilizing the BCS-462, 2 Honeywell Y8610U6006 gas valves with intermittent pilots, and 2 chugger pumps. While I may expand the level of automation in the future, at the moment I'm looking to have the BCS do the following:
- heat strike water and HLT water at the same time
- Maintain HLT water at prescribed temps
- cycle pump on and off to circulate mash liquor through HERMS coil
- record BK temps (plan to manually ignite but would like the BCS to collect data on boil)
I'd like the control panel to have the following characteristics:
- If possible have one plug powering everything (standard GCFI household outlet)
- Not modify pump power cords (i.e. have them plug into outlets controlled by BCS)
- CAT5 outlet on outside of control panel for me to plug my laptop into (which will connect via WiFi)
- Be able to control manually (saw 3 way switches being used in other BCS builds: Off, Manual on, BCS-controlled) in case BCS failed, internet connectivity issues, etc.
- Nice to have, but not necessary: lights indicating when each of the 4 elements is running (2 pumps, 2 gas valves)
I plan to keep the gas valve modules in a separate NEMA enclosure to utilize the wiring harness included with the kits (not very long) and also in hopes of avoiding interference with the BCS. I have a logical thought process but, as stated, have virtually no electrical experience so any and all info/advice is greatly appreciated (e.g what gauge wire, transformer/SSR specs, etc)
I've learned a ton so far through these forums and will make sure to pay any advice given forward. Thanks in advance for any assistance!