eBIAB Build with Pump Toolbox

[weathejx]

After 6 months, I've finally got everything bought and built!

Full Setup

Tool Box

I cut some corners (mainly the twist lock stuff) but ended up with pretty much exactly what I wanted.

Many thanks to Kal for his help and amazing website, P-J for his designs, and the users here for answering my occasional stupid question.

I'll be posting my full purchase and price list and schematics as soon and I get some time. If you want to look at something in the meantime, check out my previous thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/planning-ebiab-build-could-use-some-help-450536/

I've got a saison that I'm brewing tomorrow (13# grain bill) and will post how everything goes.

 

[JEnglish]

Nice build!

Is there any way for water to get into the tool box if the pump leaks?

 

[weathejx]

Nice build!

Is there any way for water to get into the tool box if the pump leaks?

The pump head is completely outside of the toolbox, so if it leaked, it would be outside. The toolbox isn't waterproof (no sealing gasket or anything), but will keep drips out.

It's all connected to a GFCI spa panel, so if anything does go terribly wrong, the breaker will trip and I wont die.

 

[weathejx]

Ok, I think this is everything. I kept pretty good track, the first number is how many I bought, then the item, then the cost, then the link where I bought it. I already had a heat exchanger, so I didn't include that in the price list.

Notes:

To save cost, you could probably lose the 4" probe and one of the Panel Mount connectors for RTD. I thought I would need two probes, but really, if you're recirculating during the mash, you take the temp at the top, then when you boil, it doesn't really matter. You could also go without the timer and associated wiring and switches and just use your phone or kitchen timer.

I like the small tool box, but if I was to do it again, I'd opt for something bigger. Maybe plastic. It would make it easier to cut into and give me a little more working space.

I also ended up just removing the temp switch on the fan and just have the fan running the whole time. The SSR stays super cool, but the pump gets pretty hot. I might add another fan that blows over the pump.

I'm in the middle of a brew right now, and so far, everything is going pretty awesome. 13# grain bill with space to spare for another 3-5# at least.


Actual Total $927.96

Number Purchased Item Actual Cost Link
1 Bayou Stainless 44qt Pot with Basket $108.00 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FTLY1K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Recirculation Loc Link $25.00 http://brewhardware.com/accessories/114-mashtube
1 4" Temp Probe $34.95 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_15&products_id=85
1 Weldless bulkhead $26.74 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=240
1 1" Nut and O Ring $5.45 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=95
1 Washer $2.88 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006U241XY/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
2 1 Gang Steel Box Cover $1.10 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-City-1-Gang-Blank-Utility-Box-Cover-Silver-58C1-25R/202590842
1 1 Gang Steel Utility Box $2.10 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-City-1-Gang-Utility-Box-Silver-5936112-20R/202590847
1 Heating Element $27.19 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPG4LI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 5-Foot Dryer Cord $11.93 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014KO11O/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Tool Box $14.47 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I0WL6I/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Timer ASL-51 $35.50 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=115
1 PID SYL-2352 $47.00 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3
1 10-Foot Dryer Cord $17.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014KO11O/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
2 Nema 14-30 Recepticle $15.96 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009W3A9/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
2 Panel mount connector for RTD sensor $7.50 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_15&products_id=118
1 1/8" Expandable Sleeving - 25' $11.43 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GE48YU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Solid State Relay $10.49 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KPIX9A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Heat Sink $5.90 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D6145G/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Packard C240B Contactor 2 Pole 40A 120v Coil $11.99 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z0RLL2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 22mm Buzzer 120v or 240v $7.86 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=215
1 22mm Momentary Switch, Red (SW7) $5.99 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=258
2 22mm Maintained Switch, White (SW1) $21.96 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=223
1 22mm Maintained Switch, Blue (SW1) $10.98 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=223
1 22mm LED, Green (IND-1) $3.45 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_33&products_id=248
1 22mm Maintained Switch, Yellow (SW1) $10.98 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=223
1 22mm E-Stop Switch (SW6) $6.99 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_32&products_id=259
1 SSR Cooling Kit $15.23 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=245
1 Terminal Blocks (2) 600V/25A $4.96 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I03WOI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Wire Terminals and Crimper $12.50 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K7GRCI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Zip Ties $6.08 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NQ16NG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Misc Wiring $29.25
1 Spa Panel $65.97 http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100686230#
1 Resistors 1k Ohm/1 Watt (5 Count) $1.08 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ZP04Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 Fuse Holders $6.20 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q82F98/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 1A Fast Fuse (5 Count) $5.35 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HOV4VS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 10A Fast Fuse (5 Count) $5.74 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HLYUE0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
1 1/2" SS NPT Tee $4.00 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_39_65&product_id=65
1 50mm Temp Probe $27.95 http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_15&products_id=286
1 Chugger Pump (center inlet) $145.00 http://www.homebrewing.org/Chugger-Pump-Stainless-Steel-Center_p_3193.html
1 2 piece ball valve $12.99 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_57&product_id=62
12 1/2" Silicon Tubing $29.88 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=52&product_id=122
1 3/4" to 1/2" Reducing Coupler $4.50 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=36_49&product_id=127
4 1/2" SS Camlock Highflow $31.80 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=51_54&product_id=236
4 1/2" SS Camlock F $15.96 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=51_54&product_id=133
1 1/2" SS Camlock B $5.50 http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=51_54&product_id=140
1 JB Weld $6.24 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O1ICE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[jeffmeh]

How about a pic of the SSR and fan? All outside the box, or inside the box? I am interested in how hot things get inside with the pump motor and SSR throwing heat.

 

[weathejx]

How about a pic of the SSR and fan? All outside the box, or inside the box? I am interested in how hot things get inside with the pump motor and SSR throwing heat.

Everything is inside the box. I haven't cleaned up the wiring yet, which is the main reason there isn't a picture of the inside.

The fain is directly next to the SSR and heatsink, so it stays really cool. I did a 90 minute mash today with the pump running the entire time. The air coming off the fan was cool to the touch. The pump side of the box got pretty warm, not to the point of anything failing, but to the point where I think I need either another fan or ventilation by the pump so the fan draws air over the pump.

All that said, I've never used a pump before, so I don't know how hot they get after 90 minutes of continuous use. It could just be normal heat.

 

[weathejx]

My first thought after the brew was "holy crap, I cut two hours off my brew day and didn't really have to monitor the process."

I didn't set up the PID correctly, so the first 15-30 minutes of my mash was playing around with the temps and settings. I finally figured out that I needed to run the AutoTune function to get the thing to stop heating past the set temp.

I have no idea how to whirlpool. I tried adjusting the loc link and ended up breaking up the cold break and making things worse.

My efficiency was in the 60s. I need to play with the numbers for boil off and loss to transfer. I ended up with less than 5 gallons in the fermentor, with a lower OG than expected. Se la vie.

Clean up was so quick. Recirculate hot star san through everything, scrub the stubborn spots with a brush, wipe it down, put everything in the pot. My brew equipment went from 1 pot and two coolers to 1 pot and a tool box. Saves space, time, effort.

I watched the whole brew day from start to finish because I didn't know what to expect and didn't quite trust it. However, it's sort of a set and forget situation. Set mash at this temp, press start on the timer, walk away until the buzzer goes. Set to boil. When alarm goes, add hops, set timer, walk away until buzzer goes. Etc. Not only did it cut time off my process, but it allowed me to do other things while it was going on.

Overall, I'm super happy with how things turned out. There's a few more things to learn, a few more tweaks, but it seems pretty solid.