RIMS element for 240v controller

[WesBrew]

Aiming for a compact RIMS solution for 240v Brew Commander controller. I'll probably not go with a rims rocket (weird plug location and no thermowell). Likely to be used for big brews and10g brews where the mash tun is needed.
A 12" tube is too short, that leaves a 16 or 18 TC tube setup. Where should one be on watt density for the element? Is that simply calculated by watts/element length? It seems if I opt down on power to a 2500w, it gets shorter but with the above sketchy math, would be a little lower watt density.
I have a low watt density dernord 3500W foldback. Is this a non-issue for scorching or enzyme denaturing if I'm able to reduce power % to the element, assuming there is good flow and the temp probe located at the tube exit?

 

[Broken Crow]

You won't reach max power on a RIMS element (or at least you never should!) Opt for the one with the greatest surface area to distribute that power. Here's the best price I found on RIMS hardware; (*conditional):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006120679696.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.0.0.45a0430cllOVWw&pdp_npi=4@dis!CAD!C$ 99.33!C$ 99.33!!!70.99!70.99!@2103251f17157060156677130e9e03!12000035845553886!sh!CA!0!
..It includes a crap element (I saved mine for a heater for my keg-washer) but for the price you can easily ignore that and buy a proper element and enclosure; here's the best one you get:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/element5500.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/etc.htm
..it's a perfect fit especially if you have @Bobby_M include the offset..well worth it.
Also: It works best with and Auber DSPR320...will never scorch.

 

[Bobby_M]

The 3500 foldback is likely the lowest watt density you'll find and then you can fine tune it with the BC output power maximum setting. I'd set the max power by first selecting the desired output temperature, set your pump flow rate to 1.5 quarts per minute and then see how low of a power setting you can run while keeping the output temperature steady at the set point. Set the cycle time in the advanced menu to the lowest value possible, it's either 1 or 2 seconds but is defaulted to 6 and way too slow for RIMS.

 

[WesBrew]

Got it together last night. My Element fit perfect, no bending no touching. 50mm tw might be a bit short but works at the exit. Did a shakedown run with water, no element power. All good, no leaks.
Power test . 1sec cycle time, 30% power, 3 gallons of water. MT water temp rose from 87-97 in 14minutes, temp set to 100. Just an easy ramp for testing.
Maintained MT temp with +3.5 temp set. Theres some slight futzing with the flow to get the tube temp to hold steady but that only took a few seconds. Ive got some work to do on positioning, tube length, etc. this should be fun.

 

[WesBrew]

The flow was obviously throttled down prior to power testing

 

[WesBrew]

To update the RIMS works really well with the 3500W element at lower power.
The one real problem I had is that the RIMS Protect didn't seem to work on the BC. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I have it turned on in advanced settings & got some water flowing to get water in the tube. Turned the pump off from the BC. I set temp at 100 and turned the power down to20%, then turned Auto on for power. The BC did not stop the element from firing. I gave it about 3 seconds and turned it off. Thoughts from Brew Commander people?

 

[WesBrew]

If I read the reply correctly, Blichmann advised that the Rims Protect only works when both the pump and element are running, and you mistakenly turn off the pump first. That leaves you open when you start a mash, if you forget to turn on the pump first.

 

[Broken Crow]

Apologies; I know nothing about Brew Commanders, but I get kinda bothered every time I see a horizontal RIMS. I honestly don't know how significant a difference it makes in practice, but given 'heat rises', temp changes will be slower at the probe and what's coming out may not actually be at optimal temps, especially with the oversized air-pocket that a horizantal tube will have without the in/outs pointing straight up.
Is that the position you use it in?

 

[WesBrew]

I'm just doing some testing like this. I'm planning on a vertical mount which will be great for my small space. I just need to figure out what mount to use with likely a wood base/column.

 

[WesBrew]

Maybe I could find some kind of tube clamp to hang it on that wall hook or swap it to a fork or something and just lay it on there. It's not like its moving.