Part #1
[youtube]olzxn-SBB_0[/youtube]
[youtube]olzxn-SBB_0[/youtube]
Outstanding job there, how long will you be able to resist the impulse to expand and improve this system.
Korndog, I bought a thrumometer to put on the backside of the therminator but haven't put it in place yet due to it using 3/8" hose barbs and everything else in my setup is 1/2". For now, after the system is primed, I just run it as slow as it will go, which brings it all the way down to the same temp as the tap water.
Yeah, I am still working on the "safety" side of the project... not dismissing its importance - but I do have a master "oh ****" switch that kills everything already in place. I hadn't brewed in forever it seemed due to all this personal crap I have going on and decided to chanced it. I'll look into those moisture sensors you mentioned.
Oh another note, I forgot to mention that I hit 92% efficiency on that batch yesterday. I had always got around 80% with my previous setup. Specifically, I doughed-in at 104 and held it for 20 minutes for the acid rest; then 126 for 20 minutes for the Protein Rest; then 152 for 60 minutes for the Saccharification rest; then 170 for Mash out.
Oh another note, I forgot to mention that I hit 92% efficiency on that batch yesterday. I had always got around 80% with my previous setup. Specifically, I doughed-in at 104 and held it for 20 minutes for the acid rest; then 126 for 20 minutes for the Protein Rest; then 152 for 60 minutes for the Saccharification rest; then 170 for Mash out.
Gosh, sorry to hear that. Do you think the setup is responsible for that piss-poor efficiency? Perhaps you should take up a new hobby.
I hate show-offs! j/k
I had an issue last night that I didn't have a chance to look at until I started to re-test this AM - the circuit for the 220v heating element was not turning off at the relay when it was supposed to... the LED on the relay would toggle off, but the power wouldn't. After asking around (thanks kladue), my hunch of what was causing it turned out to be right - the relay was getting too hot.
So I did what any good DIYer / Modder would do on a Sunday night when there wasn't anywhere to go buy a heatsink - I scavenged. I ended up disassembling a small 12v fridge that was powered by a peltier cooler. After removing the peltier cooler and hacking around, turned out to be a perfect fit - even the bolt pattern matched up - although it isn't the prettiest thing. It is pretty much hidden from the front of my rig, so I'm OK with it.
I'm running one last test with it now that everything has been reassembled and it is working great. Thank God I didn't ruin that relay - that would have been several days wait to replace...
Here's a photo:
I'll get this project back on track as soon as I can... have been dealing with personal issues for some time now but starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Just catching up on this thread. Sorry if this has been mentioned, but have you checked out this?
Embedded Control Concepts: Products
I've been reading the beta tester feedback. You can either just use the web interface directly, or write some custom HTTP code in front of it. Has more features than any arduino setup I was thinking about.
Most OS's suck at "real time" stuff (like what a PID does) - luckily, I guess brewing temps are okay with only tens of milliseconds granularity. I'd be interested in how the embedded system actually performs. It seems you can load a "config file" as well. Some quick perl/python/whatever to convert BeerXML, and off you go... Maybe??
It may be interesting to see how/if this could tie into John's system/ideas.
I've looked at the website. It's very interesting. But one thing I don't quite get is why the outputs are only 5vdc. I can't find any solenoid valves that are compatible with this, so that means you need multiple relays to use this system with something like a Brutus 10.
Maybe I am missing something... Someone explain it to me?
I think I'm going to brew today... haven't had a chance to in over three months now due to personal issues. The rig hasn't changed since I last left it, but I've sourced the PH probe and amplifier and plan on adding it in the next few weeks.
Now, what sounds good today? I'm thinking a Steamer...
I think I'm going to brew today... haven't had a chance to in over three months now due to personal issues. The rig hasn't changed since I last left it, but I've sourced the PH probe and amplifier and plan on adding it in the next few weeks.
Now, what sounds good today? I'm thinking a Steamer...
not a Cleveland steamer, right? You're thinking a California Common.
I've looked at the website. It's very interesting. But one thing I don't quite get is why the outputs are only 5vdc. I can't find any solenoid valves that are compatible with this, so that means you need multiple relays to use this system with something like a Brutus 10.
Maybe I am missing something... Someone explain it to me?
Thanks!
Michael
Enter your email address to join: