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OK, I'm feeling a little less inferior... now, if my WIFE would just get the hint!! ;)

I've been struggling with that same sense of confidence, absent the savvy... ;) You might take a look at this thread - I've posted a electrical schematic that ensures the pump is running before a gas valve is allowed to turn on. Replace the gas valve with the output from an SSR, and it's the...

I'll share too... Mine's based roughly on the design at http://www.breweryconstructionguide.com, though I went single tier and I added a distribution manifold above the whole rig. I also had to work with metric sizes, since I built this thing in Germany, buying most of the hardware from the...

Imagine the audacity of people calling these immersion "chillers," when we all know they're really HEAT EXCHANGERS, and they can work well both ways... they're a lot like tracer fire in that sense!! ;)

As requested, here's a schematic of my brew system... Depending on which valve is open, I can move water and wort from any kettle to any other kettle. I can also set the valves and allow PBW to cycle through the system virtually forever (HLT --> MT --> BK --> HLT) If anyone has any...

Ah, you want LOGIC??? Sorry, it's the day after X'Mas, and all through the house is... CHAOS!! ;) The RTD (temperature probe) that drives the HLT PID is in-line as the water comes up from the pump and into the distribution manifold, not sitting in the HLT - I only monitor the temp in the HLT...

OK, I just finished the re-design of the wiring schematic. In light of Sawdustguy's concerns regarding the power to the pump precluding use of the gas valve, I decided to change up the switching a bit, using a DPST switch for the pump, and wiring it into the PID relay. Here's the link to the...

Uh oh... another "AH HA" moment so quickly arrives... :) Did I mention I'm a biologist, not an electrical engineer? ;) So, the transformer for the gas valve is NOT like every other "transformer" that I thought I had in the house. I thought all of my other "transformers" converted AC to DC -...

Thanks for the thoughts, and I'll try to justify mine ;) Without a constant flow passing over the RTD, the wort that would be sitting there when the pump was turned off would be cooling. It will quickly be cool enough to be telling the PID to apply heat, thereby turning on the gas valve. As a...

OK, I think I just had one of those ever-more-common AH HA moments... ;) The gas valve is dumb - all it's waiting for is an electrical charge from the transformer to "tell" it to open the valve. The power to the transformer is controlled by the relay in the PID. That would seem to make sense...

Sawdustguy, OK, I'm continuing to circle this bad boy... and I'm threatening to jump in with both feet... flailing!! :) In a bit of frustration, I just RETURNED everything that I bought ('cept the PIDs) and I'm starting fresh. I'm going with the Honeywell VR8200A Super Tradeline model that...

Regarding the Omega's, I bought a lot of 10 of them from eBay and I got a damned good deal. I like the Omega line in general, and since I already had a pH controller as well, I also wanted to stay with Omega for the... uh oh... aesthetic value! :) I'm a bit surprised at the incompatibility of...

Assuming you're in Southshore, drive (or walk) over the state line into Nevada, keep you eyes open on the left side of the road (lakeside)... and within a quarter mile, there's a liquor store with a pretty large selection of craft beers!!

I have read the thread, and I just have to say... WOW!!! If Zainasheff and Palmer can wax philosophically about yeast and make a million bucks, there's SURELY a book somewhere in this thread as well!! :) I have a couple of twists on the subject that I need help with, and I don't think it...

Been there too!! Hey, I checked out the website - it appears you were buying your supplies from and end-user, and still got a pretty darned god price for a bag. I've paid more through MoreBeer, and then had to haul it back to Okinawa in my checked baggage - yeah, I usually get a few funny...

Sounds like you're over on K-town or Ramstein, maybe Sembach? Thanks for the leads - I'll certainly check them out. I've purchased from Norther Brewers as well, and I like them too. I'm pleased with the support I've received from both, even though they have to deal with me via the USPS - not...

I've just arrived in country, and just unpacked my brewery. While I moved with several lbs of malt and a good supply of hops, and I carried my yeast with me as checked baggage, I'm going to be needing supplies soon!! Have you had any better luck finding a local supplier here in Germany? If not...