enormous13
Well-Known Member
Hey Everyone, I wasn't sure whether to put this in the Electric Brewing or Brew In A Bag forum, so if it needs to be moved, sorry.
I need some help from all the experienced users here with putting together a 120v controller for a recirculating eBIAB (Basket) kit. I've never done a brewing controller before, but I've wired my home and done other electrical projects, so I have a base knowledge set.
After seeing the price points for the pre-made units (Ex: https://brausupply.com/collections/...0-ezboil-120v-electric-brewery-controller-20a), and then a breakdown of costs for the parts (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6740954&postcount=8), it's obvious there's some cash to be saved going the DIY route ($100+) as well as the opportunity to adjust small things for personal preference, while keeping it looking clean.
Another recent addition to the market though, that's up for consideration, is the new Inkbird IPB-16 for like $100 (https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tempcontrol_ipb16.htm). Bobby even throws a switch on for manual pump control. The downsides personally for me though are the 15Amp limit, the lack of element switch, the janky probe, and it's not the EZBoil - but for $100 it is enticing, and folks are starting to mod them it seems.
Back to the DIY question,
Here's some factors for consideration:
-My kitchen has 20A rated GFCI outlets (single circuit), so I'd like a controller that's rated for 20A, even though it'll run 15A components for now.
-Running a 1,500 watt (120v/12.5A) element (https://www.williamsbrewing.com/1500-WATT-STAINLESS-HEATING-ELEMENT-P3911.aspx).
-For the pump, I'll most likely end up using something like the Mark II/Chugger/RipTide/etc., most of which pull a little less than 1.5 Amps, so I'd like to factor for that even though I may start with one of the small solar pumps at first.
-I'm very interested in using the newest Auber EZBoil (http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=670).
-On the controller, I would like two manual switches: Element On/Off & Pump On/Off. The element switch seems good for when I need to kill the element for additions or whatever, but would like the PID and thermo to still function. I think to save some space on the face of the controller, I'd like to veer away from the Brau type rotary switches and maybe use something more like this illuminated rocker switch (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006X1X8U4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20).
-I'd like to use a RTD PT100 probe, they seem like the standard here.
-I'd like to keep the controller as small as possible. The inkbird and Brau are acceptable sizes for me. The wall cabinets, like this (https://www.clawhammersupply.com/co...istillation-equipment-electric-controller-kit) are unnecessarily large.
Questions:
-With everything I've listed above, is it possible to include everything?
-I see some controllers have switches for "Alarms". What exactly are the alarms used for?
-Does anyone have a list of goods, schematic, etc. for a build like this? I couldn't find exactly anything setup like this.
-I know Auber sells enclosures, but they're a tad pricey, anyone have another source they're willing to share?
-Along with a schematic, I'll probably need help with where and how to place components into the enclosure. Is it just stick it in wherever it fits? Or is there some strategy here?
-Please, if anyone has any constructive criticism or suggestions for changes, just comment, I'm open to more experienced input.
Sorry for the long post, but thank you for reading if you got this far. Thank you ahead of time for any input.
I need some help from all the experienced users here with putting together a 120v controller for a recirculating eBIAB (Basket) kit. I've never done a brewing controller before, but I've wired my home and done other electrical projects, so I have a base knowledge set.
After seeing the price points for the pre-made units (Ex: https://brausupply.com/collections/...0-ezboil-120v-electric-brewery-controller-20a), and then a breakdown of costs for the parts (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6740954&postcount=8), it's obvious there's some cash to be saved going the DIY route ($100+) as well as the opportunity to adjust small things for personal preference, while keeping it looking clean.
Another recent addition to the market though, that's up for consideration, is the new Inkbird IPB-16 for like $100 (https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tempcontrol_ipb16.htm). Bobby even throws a switch on for manual pump control. The downsides personally for me though are the 15Amp limit, the lack of element switch, the janky probe, and it's not the EZBoil - but for $100 it is enticing, and folks are starting to mod them it seems.
Back to the DIY question,
Here's some factors for consideration:
-My kitchen has 20A rated GFCI outlets (single circuit), so I'd like a controller that's rated for 20A, even though it'll run 15A components for now.
-Running a 1,500 watt (120v/12.5A) element (https://www.williamsbrewing.com/1500-WATT-STAINLESS-HEATING-ELEMENT-P3911.aspx).
-For the pump, I'll most likely end up using something like the Mark II/Chugger/RipTide/etc., most of which pull a little less than 1.5 Amps, so I'd like to factor for that even though I may start with one of the small solar pumps at first.
-I'm very interested in using the newest Auber EZBoil (http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=670).
-On the controller, I would like two manual switches: Element On/Off & Pump On/Off. The element switch seems good for when I need to kill the element for additions or whatever, but would like the PID and thermo to still function. I think to save some space on the face of the controller, I'd like to veer away from the Brau type rotary switches and maybe use something more like this illuminated rocker switch (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006X1X8U4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20).
-I'd like to use a RTD PT100 probe, they seem like the standard here.
-I'd like to keep the controller as small as possible. The inkbird and Brau are acceptable sizes for me. The wall cabinets, like this (https://www.clawhammersupply.com/co...istillation-equipment-electric-controller-kit) are unnecessarily large.
Questions:
-With everything I've listed above, is it possible to include everything?
-I see some controllers have switches for "Alarms". What exactly are the alarms used for?
-Does anyone have a list of goods, schematic, etc. for a build like this? I couldn't find exactly anything setup like this.
-I know Auber sells enclosures, but they're a tad pricey, anyone have another source they're willing to share?
-Along with a schematic, I'll probably need help with where and how to place components into the enclosure. Is it just stick it in wherever it fits? Or is there some strategy here?
-Please, if anyone has any constructive criticism or suggestions for changes, just comment, I'm open to more experienced input.
Sorry for the long post, but thank you for reading if you got this far. Thank you ahead of time for any input.
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