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It probably doesn't matter, but I try to keep everything as balanced as I can out of habit. Sometimes, it can be a lot more than 6A.

@K&KBREW there are a couple of things that will get taken care of from a design standpoint when @doug293cz finishes with your schematics, but you need to be aware of when you go to lay out and build your enclosure. First, make certain you are aware of the potential current a piece of wire in...

@Rossbrau I second the advice above from @Stoney315 and @BrunDog. Trying to work through your existing setup will take more time than it would to draw a schematic, disconnect your existing wiring, reconfigure the layout, and wire it to your new schematic. @BrunDog's schematics are pretty good...

I have some automation built into my system. I use BruControl as a front end to the automation. It runs on a Windows PC.

6V coils are a little unusual.

Oh yeah...You're gonna need this: BruControl

I started with: Arduino Mega Screw shield WiFi shield Antenna Antenna cable Power supply Header pins for the WiFi shield Relay board

@Rossbrau, I've been working on developing and deploying a BruControl system since November or so. Can't say enough good about the level of support from @BrunDog, and I really like the way the system has come together and works. I'm fine on the electrical and control side, but programming is...

I just set up an old laptop to act as my server, vice my current machine that I tote back and forth to work. I learned a little tip that I'd like to pass along: You have to rein in Windows' compulsion to phone home every few nights to see if Bill has an update for it. I thought I was going to...

@Die_Beerery my reservoir is about 11 gallons, and it took me less than three hours to take it from 84ºF to 18ºF. I haven't tried to see how low it will go. Here's a screencap of three hours' activity in BruControl:

Looks like a good test to demonstrate the need for insulation! @Die_Beerery, what is the rating of the compressor for the chiller? My rig is similar, and uses a ½-hp (0.37kW) compressor that runs on R-12. Also, what is the capacity of the reservoir, and have you run a test to see how cold you...

@HornyGoatStout, I was given an old countertop soda dispenser with an ice bath tank, and converted that to glycol use. I have a homebuilt ferm chamber that's about 8 Cu. Ft., and I built a plenum inside that has a couple of 4" muffin fans and a transmission cooler I got off of Amazon. I dropped...

How'd you go about the chiller build? Got any pics?

I just christened the system I've been planning and building for the last 8 months or so. I used a little more automation than necessary, but I'm happy with the results. It's a ½-bbl 3-kettle HERMS system coupled with a home-built ferm chamber. I brewed a batch of an oatmeal stout recipe that...

I ran a batch through my new system for the first time yesterday. I did an oatmeal stout recipe that I've had pretty good luck with in the past. Mechanically, the new rig performed very well. My process needs some tweaking here and there. Once I get a little more comfortable, I'll be able to...

As in...tomorrow morning. Really looking forward to it. It's been a long road, but I think I'm ready to christen the rig.

I now have a place to put the beer I'm going to brew this weekend. I ran the HEX hoses from the chiller to and from the ferm chamber last night, and fired it up for some testing this morning. After three hours with no thermal mass in the chamber, I have what looks to be correct behavior for...

I hope you have that pipe grounded.

The PID controller for the HLT element in my rig is referenced to a PT-100 at the fitting where the output of the HERMS coil dumps back into the MLT.

I finally have enough of my system completed that I ran a test brew last night, with good success. So with nothing to do out in the garage tonight except clean up after myself, I cemented my status as an elite-level procrastinator and worked on my automation scripts instead. I borrowed...