So I am building a glycol manifold because I have two fermenters now and need to chill both off my single glycol chilling unit. The pump is more than powerful enough to do so.
The plan is to use solenoids from valves4projects that will open when a temp sensor falls outside the setpoint and the fermenter needs cooling - pretty basic.
The problem comes when both solenoids are closed. The type of pump that is in the glycol chiller (and I can't change this) probably should not be deadheaded. So when both solenoids are closed, it needs to be following a loop that just circulates the chilled liquid right back into the return. So this way it will keep flowing and the pump will always be happy.
I know I can accomplish this via another solenoid that is energized open (as opposed to buying an expensive N/O solenoid) until one of the other solenoids opens up. But I think there must be some kind of mechanical solution that I am completely missing. Maybe something that senses some kind of pressure build up and automatically opens up or maybe there is just some way I need to plumb this alternatively.
Here's a visual pic of the "manifolds":
Top is simply a return manifold. Bottom comes in from the chiller and has two outputs for the fermenters.
Thanks in advance!
Anyone have any ideas??
The plan is to use solenoids from valves4projects that will open when a temp sensor falls outside the setpoint and the fermenter needs cooling - pretty basic.
The problem comes when both solenoids are closed. The type of pump that is in the glycol chiller (and I can't change this) probably should not be deadheaded. So when both solenoids are closed, it needs to be following a loop that just circulates the chilled liquid right back into the return. So this way it will keep flowing and the pump will always be happy.
I know I can accomplish this via another solenoid that is energized open (as opposed to buying an expensive N/O solenoid) until one of the other solenoids opens up. But I think there must be some kind of mechanical solution that I am completely missing. Maybe something that senses some kind of pressure build up and automatically opens up or maybe there is just some way I need to plumb this alternatively.
Here's a visual pic of the "manifolds":
Top is simply a return manifold. Bottom comes in from the chiller and has two outputs for the fermenters.
Thanks in advance!
Anyone have any ideas??