3bbl Electric Control Panel, power concerns.

[The10mmKid]

Hey Rad,
You have made no mention of an external sight glass, but we are using these capacitive sensors on a couple nasty chemical tanks at work. They are just performing a 'watchdog' function at present, not maintaining level.

http://www.gemssensors.com/en/Produ.../~/media/GemsNA/CatalogPages/CAP-100-cat.ashx

The sensor is mounted (strapped basically) to the sight glass.
(No tank perforation)

'da Kid

 

[The10mmKid]

Here they are at Automation Direct:
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...ty_Sensors/Rectangular_(CR1_Series)/CR1-00-2A

'da Kid

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

Thanks Kid, but that isn't what I'm talking about, its not a big deal, I can basically make them with some 304l rod if I have to. It's just two probes, one for high level, one for low and a common to the tank.

Edit: boy do I suck at typing on my phone.

 

[The10mmKid]

Oh, I know . . . . . . the probe is the cheap part.
That darn controller is a triple digit budget slayer. $$$

Just throwing some insight out there. I'm fortunate (and cursed) by the high tech stuff we are exposed to at work.

Kinda neat I get to work with milliamp sensors/controllers all the way up to 100's of amps of 3-phase 480V. From scary to delicate . . . . that's my life!

Enjoying watching your system grow from 'napkin' to that first glass.

'da Kid

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

I've got the unit I need picked out. I found a good deal on it. It'll cost me just under $35.00 shipped. It should be costing about $170.00 though. ;-)

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

Ok, I just made the 3 hour trip to my dad's workshop in NEPA. I'm building the 1/3rd bbl pilot E-System this week and then the panel for the 3bbl next (hopefully). I brought both of my welding machines (TIG & MIG). Pics to come.

 

[oldschool1]

Rad,
What's new?
I forgot to mention on Thursday morning that I may have a Gig or two of server space to host pictures for you.

 

[P-J]

Ok, I just made the 3 hour trip to my dad's workshop in NEPA. I'm building the 1/3rd bbl pilot E-System this week and then the panel for the 3bbl next (hopefully). I brought both of my welding machines (TIG & MIG). Pics to come.

Rad,

It has been a while and I sincerely hope all is well with you.

Please let us know and also please E-Mail me the final diagrams as attachment files and I'll post them for you in my usual way.
Use this E-Mail addy: deadspam < click it...

Many thanks and wishing you the very best.

P-J

 

[torque2]

I would be very interested in seeing the final drawings for your set up as well.
I am setting up a 2 1/2 bbl electric system, but am going to go with three 5,500w elements. in the hlt and bk. If I'm not doing back to back batches is there a way I could set up my panel with just three outputs that I can unplug from my hlt and plug into my bk and back again? Sure would cut down on my parts/labor.

 

[Dog House Brew]

Excellent thread.......subscribed.

 

[stevehaun]

Torque2:
I have a one barrel system with two 4500 watt elements in both the HLT and BK. I don't run them simultaneously. I have a 50 amp control panel with two outlets. During the mash the HLT is plugged in. During the boil, the BK is plugged in. Simple and way cheaper.

 

[torque2]

Thanks for the response. Are you running PIDs for your set up(single or two)? I built a control panel for my 10 gallon system with 1 PID and a switch to move from HLT to BK, but after building it I realized I could have just swapped plugs and utilized the auto/manual on the PID(which I have to do anyway.) Only downside now is my panel won't be near as impressive, but "panel envy" probably shouldn't be my concern:cross:
I'm working on a plan to utilize some solar hot water collectors I've had sitting around to heat my HLT via heat exchanger.

 

[Sweet_Asylum_Brewing]

Photobucket account problems so I re-uploaded them directly to HBT.

Hey Rad,

I know this thread is a little old but I have been searching on here for a 3 BBL system build and you seem to have as close to what I want as I can find. I was wondering if this was the final wiring diagram you went with? If so, do you mind either uploading the printable one or sending it to me via email? Also, if you have any pictures of your panel that would be cool to see. I am in the process of planning my nano and I want to build before buy a control panel. I have my own thread as well if you'd like to post it there.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=537589
Thanks!

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

Hey guys, sorry I've been away from the forum for a while. I'll get the pics up for you all soon. I think my dad has them on his computer still. I've been really busy working on the brewery. It has so little to do with brewing and so much to do with code enforcers, permits, plumbing, electricians, licensing etc.
I work on getting them up in a few day for all of you.

 

[DevildogJn]

So I just sat here and read this whole thread for the first time. I too am in the planning stages of a 3bbl nano brewery. The electrical stuff is what I lack the most knowledge in. My main question is about the power feeds, Is that diagram from PJ showing 4 power lines coming from a fuse box to the control panel? I obviously wont be doing any of this without talking to a contractor first.

Does anyone know what would change in the wiring process if I choose to use a raspberry pi instead of a pid?

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

First, These are not PJ diagrams but he did help. Second, your contractor won't likely be able to tell you anything because these are plans are likely not in his skill set. That said, it should be up to NEC code as is. You can swap the PID for any controller you choose. I don't have experience with raspberry pi but a PLC would be an easy swap for me. If I can find the original drawings I'll post them up but what I already poster seems clear enough to read IMO. What you see is 2 x 60a circuits being split into 4 x 30a for each element with the most redundant safety of any drawing up to the point it was posted. I haven't been posting much since I'm getting pretty deep opening my brewery.