Realistically what is this panel costing you to build (not counting your time)? While I think Kal's setups are awesome, even in DIY trim it's a lotta $$. but it's one stop shopping. A completed ebrewsupply is on par with a DIY Kal system, maybe cheaper. I like both a lot, but it's out of my budget for quite some time
Well most of the components I sourced from china so I have extras of most of the switches and lights. But just going quick off of invoices the panel is about 290$ in components and 50$ in tools which included a few bits, a ratcheting crimper and a tap set. Something not included in there is a 40' feed cable which was gifted to me(~80$).
I did add some extras to what i really needed that brought the cost up a bit. I have two PIDs one for mash one for boil and therefore also have the connecting hardware for 2 elements. I have a volt/amp meter. I have a key switch on/off and an e-stop. I also put in controls for two pumps even though I only plan to use one for now.
so my panel is at about 420$ with a few tools and a long feed cord. lets just say the equivalent high gravity box is substantially more.
Things that have really kept the cost down for me is first having most of the tools I needed. From a drill press to a rotary tool, down to metal files and clamps these things all add up very quickly.
I had most of the wire already.
I had really beefy, perfectly sized heatsinks for my SSRs that I had salvaged for free a long time ago.
I also had most of the mounting hardware on hand, leftovers from other projects.
I used a toolbox instead of a NEMA enclosure.
Remember you really have to think about your brewing process (or the brewing process you want to use). I am moving up from stove-top 5gal BIAB to cold (~120) fly sparge or batch sparge brutus 20. I've chosen this system since I have direct access to a hot water line and I dont have very much room for my brewing space. This setup will give me actual control over my mashing process and a lot of flexibility in what I can brew (larger batches 5-12gal and very high gravity).
I also have a clear upgrade path for more sparge control, back-to-back batches and larger batches which all can be added with very little or no modification to what I am assembling now.
I know I haven't taken everything into account but thanks to the plethora information found on here I feel I've been able to make some very choice decisions throughout the planing stage of my build. So I guess I need to go start a build thread now....
