Roadie
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My sentiment as well as it's a huge hole and dryer duct on side of house but did it anyway. What speed controller did you use for your fan? I have tried 2 of them and neither worked on the two lower speeds.
Hunter's Basement E-Brewery Build
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My sentiment as well as it's a huge hole and dryer duct on side of house but did it anyway. What speed controller did you use for your fan? I have tried 2 of them and neither worked on the two lower speeds.
Stealthcruiser
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I was referring to the motor noise / vibration, transmitting sound through the structure, with it basically hard mounted to the floor joists.
Yeah, I saw the hole......I like it!........
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hunter306
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Wow, a whole bunch of replies that I missed from yesterday!
When I was doing straight steep/extract batches I'd end up with about 5gals which would last well over 6 weeks in the fridge. I just put that together recently, because I got tired of bottling (same ole' story). I have seriously considered upgrading to a stainless model since I started this project though!
Good question. Taking the wait-and-see approach on the drain. I noticed Kal mentions on his ventilation pages that he doesn't *really* need to drain his, so I'll likely see how much water accumulates the first couple of brews and simply remove with a sponge/towel. If it's significant, I'm not opposed to plumbing a drain!
Very good question as well. The simple answer is: While I have fired up the fan on the bench (It's reasonably loud) I haven't tested it mounted in the currently location. I suspect that we'll be able to hear it from the kitchen (which is directly above the joist you see the fan mounted too). The upside is that I usually brew during Saturday/Sunday afternoon, so it's not likely to interfere with anyones sleep.
When I was doing straight steep/extract batches I'd end up with about 5gals which would last well over 6 weeks in the fridge. I just put that together recently, because I got tired of bottling (same ole' story). I have seriously considered upgrading to a stainless model since I started this project though!
Good question. Taking the wait-and-see approach on the drain. I noticed Kal mentions on his ventilation pages that he doesn't *really* need to drain his, so I'll likely see how much water accumulates the first couple of brews and simply remove with a sponge/towel. If it's significant, I'm not opposed to plumbing a drain!
Very good question as well. The simple answer is: While I have fired up the fan on the bench (It's reasonably loud) I haven't tested it mounted in the currently location. I suspect that we'll be able to hear it from the kitchen (which is directly above the joist you see the fan mounted too). The upside is that I usually brew during Saturday/Sunday afternoon, so it's not likely to interfere with anyones sleep.
Stealthcruiser
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Cool!....As long as it does not interfere with SWMBO's Karma whilst she is in the kitchen........
Hoppopotomus
Cedar Hollow Brewing
I pretty much have the same vortex fan as you (same stats, just a different manufacturer) and it's directly under the kitchen. Granted, mine is mounted to the top of my vent. hood, not to the joists, but the hood is mounted to the wall, which ties into the joist above. Here is a pic of my vent setup before running the ducting, but you should get the idea. Not pretty and shiny like yours, but it does the job. In the kitchen, there is a subtle hum, but not bad at all. Granted it is directly below the kitchen cabinetry in the kitchen, so that may be dampening the sound as well, but my wife does not find the noise offensive thus far. I'm not sure if I mentioned or not here, but I am working on my drop ceiling tomorrow and over the weekend in the brewery. I plan on insulating the joist space above the fan and framing a box around the sides of the fan itself, so that I can wrap insulation around that as well. I'm still going to get noise from the fan from inside of the hood, but even without insulation, it's not that bad. I figure that with a little insulation and the drop ceiling in place, the noise should be minimal. It was much louder on the work bench when I plugged it in than it is up high over the hood. Here are few somewhat recent pics of the brewery from a few weeks ago if your interested in taking a peek.
Roadie......to answer your question, I do not have my fan hooked up to a speed control switch. It's all or nothing! I get minimal steam from my HLT and MT, so I really don't use the hood until I get to the boil anyways. I have a new flat screen down there as of last weekend, and a stereo system soon to come, so that will take my mind off of the fan noise.
Roadie......to answer your question, I do not have my fan hooked up to a speed control switch. It's all or nothing! I get minimal steam from my HLT and MT, so I really don't use the hood until I get to the boil anyways. I have a new flat screen down there as of last weekend, and a stereo system soon to come, so that will take my mind off of the fan noise.
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hunter306
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Bit of a slow go of things mid-week here. I got the extension cords in for my pumps yesterday evening, as Chuggers pumps come with a dismally short 3.5-4ft cord from the box. Also started staining the 'Pump Tray' which will have the two fitted pumps bolted down to it for transferring liquid. Couple quick pictures, I went with two of the Center-Inlet Stainless head chuggers:
Planning on getting the 'pump-tray' finished up this weekend and finally plumbing these kettles so I can get my first brew going.
Planning on getting the 'pump-tray' finished up this weekend and finally plumbing these kettles so I can get my first brew going.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
FriendOrDafoe
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Subscribed!
This is my dream to build something like this one day.
This is my dream to build something like this one day.
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hunter306
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Spent yesterday afternoon assembling the pump-tray and hooking it into the panel:
Installed some rubber feet on the tray and predrilled the pump mount holes:
Attaching the Chuggers to the tray:
All the hardware to plumb out the pumps:
Attaching the elbows and ball valves:
Finished Tray assembly:
Installed some rubber feet on the tray and predrilled the pump mount holes:
Attaching the Chuggers to the tray:
All the hardware to plumb out the pumps:
Attaching the elbows and ball valves:
Finished Tray assembly:
Roadie
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Love the bling look. Any priming worries?
ChocolateMaltyBalls
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I configured my chuggers the exact same way, and I have no problem priming. Just keep it well below the kettles.
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hunter306
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@Roadie -- The pumps will be below the kettles on the lower shelf, so they should just gravity prime when I open the ball valves on the blichmanns. I haven't actually tested it yet though!
@Chocolate -- Glad to hear you're having success with this configuration!
@Chocolate -- Glad to hear you're having success with this configuration!
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hunter306
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Started to assemble the Elements this afternoon, but had to stop for the JB Weld to set. Here's a little bit of assembly from today:
Filing down the tabs on the back to allow the cover plate to sit flush:
Drilling out the larger holes in the boxes:
Drilled and tapped for plate cover screws:
Sanded off the paint to allow the JB Weld to form a good bond:
Mixing up the JB Weld:
Sealing up the box, Added some clear silicone around the edge as a secondary barrier against splash/water intrusion:
Clamped and curing for the evening:
I'll probably start working on the cords while I'm waiting for this to cure.
Filing down the tabs on the back to allow the cover plate to sit flush:
Drilling out the larger holes in the boxes:
Drilled and tapped for plate cover screws:
Sanded off the paint to allow the JB Weld to form a good bond:
Mixing up the JB Weld:
Sealing up the box, Added some clear silicone around the edge as a secondary barrier against splash/water intrusion:
Clamped and curing for the evening:
I'll probably start working on the cords while I'm waiting for this to cure.
If you've got ball valves on the kettles, why put them on the pump outlets, too?
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hunter306
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Ball valve is on the output, from the recommendations I've read if you're trying to control flow, it should be on the pumps output side (not the inlet side, where the kettles valve is...)
Roadie
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For one you need them to control sparge rate.
ImNoExpert
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Not to be "that guy" (considering I've put together a system exactly 0% as cool as yours is/will be) but wouldn't it be easier to control the ball valves on the output of the chuggers if the valve handles were pointed toward the operator?
Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Sorry if this is a stupid question.
Roadie
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I saw Kal from the electric brewery has those elbows on his setup but I plan on just running mine vertically as I won't be connecting/disconnecting while brewing like the other ends and it just seemed simpler. If my idea doesn't work THEN I'll be doing something similar.
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hunter306
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Not a bad question at all. I consciously rotated them to face backwards as they extended out the front when in the closed position and it was really ackward to operate them. This way, I just grab the handle and pull it forward and it's open. I think it's a matter of taste though, if you setup your pumps, try both ways and choose the way that works best.
ImNoExpert
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As I was typing I thought it might be something like that. Great build! Drooling with envy over here.
Hunter,
Sorry to go backwards in your postings but I'm have a hard time with that volt/amp meter you recommend. I've read your reply a dozen times and have stared at your pictures at every angle possible. I'm just not understanding how you have it set up. Is there any way you could draw a dumbed down picture and post it? Lol
Thanks
Sorry to go backwards in your postings but I'm have a hard time with that volt/amp meter you recommend. I've read your reply a dozen times and have stared at your pictures at every angle possible. I'm just not understanding how you have it set up. Is there any way you could draw a dumbed down picture and post it? Lol
Thanks
Roadie
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I'm wondering why you have to do so much build work for your elements. Not having done electric brewing before, I was of the impression that elements were something you would purchase, ready to go. Is that not the case? I've considered getting heat sticks to supplement my stove top burner so I can do all grain inside in the winter. But I don't know if I feel it's safe if I build something like this on my own.
You appear to be an electrical engineer or something. I am competent with electrical work, wiring, etc, but I don't have the skill set you have to put this together.
You appear to be an electrical engineer or something. I am competent with electrical work, wiring, etc, but I don't have the skill set you have to put this together.
bknifefight
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Here is a really good write up step by step to put together a heating element:
http://theelectricbrewery.com/heating-elements
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hunter306
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Yep, BKnifeFight nailed it, just bought the DIY element kit to save some money on the build. I'm comfortable enough with working in the shop to do some assembly if it means saving a few bucks.
Although I do have some general DC electronics knowledge, this is my first effort in wiring an AC 240v project of this scale. I think if you have the ability to follow diagrams and pinouts, you'll be in fine shape to build something like this.
Although I do have some general DC electronics knowledge, this is my first effort in wiring an AC 240v project of this scale. I think if you have the ability to follow diagrams and pinouts, you'll be in fine shape to build something like this.
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hunter306
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I tried to illustrate it a bit more clearly here. Basically you want to pull your Voltage reading from the 240v breaker, and you want to put your Ammetere Current Probe around the shared 120v leg in the panel.
I tried to illustrate it a bit more clearly here. Basically you want to pull your Voltage reading from the 240v breaker, and you want to put your Ammetere Current Probe around the shared 120v leg in the panel.
Thanks man. This definitely clears it up a little. It's quite hard to follow those wires in the pictures. I should have my panel ready to fire up tonight now
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hunter306
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@docubrew, If I get a few minutes, i'll look into some software to do a decent diagram. I feel like MSPaint might be offensive
On the element construction front, I started to build the cables yesterday night and found that unfortunately, the braided sleeving included in the kit was out of spec. I contacted Ebrewsupply and Ryan has been super helpful in getting this known problem corrected, so I expect I'll be back on track to continue building the elements this weekend.
Basically, the included sleeving was just a hair too small, leaving it about 2ft too short to fully sheath the cables.
On the element construction front, I started to build the cables yesterday night and found that unfortunately, the braided sleeving included in the kit was out of spec. I contacted Ebrewsupply and Ryan has been super helpful in getting this known problem corrected, so I expect I'll be back on track to continue building the elements this weekend.
Basically, the included sleeving was just a hair too small, leaving it about 2ft too short to fully sheath the cables.
@docubrew, If I get a few minutes, i'll look into some software to do a decent diagram. I feel like MSPaint might be offensive
MS Visio is decent for such things.
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CervezaMaLa
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Subscribed...beautiful build
