An affordable option to building an all electric system?

[wildwest450]

I want to go all electric, unfortunately I have zero electrical knowledge. I could build you a house but can't tell you why your lights turn on.

There isn't much in the way of all electric brewing that isn't super expensive. Until I found High Gravity. They have some neat systems that range from around $1400 to $2100 complete (minus the chiller and stand). I need the electric experts to have a look and tell me what you think.

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/productcart/pc/Build-Your-Own-Brewery-c269.htm

I called them they are legit.

 

[SweetSounds]

That's pretty cool! I didn't know anyone was assembling kits like this

<Go-Go Gadget Contrarian>
But, if you do the math, you can get (2) 20G Boilermakers for $800, the false bottom for $90, and a March pump for $100

That would leave you $500.00 for hoses and fittings, and it's all 20 gallon Blingmann

I'm not sayin'... I'm just sayin...

I don't like paying people to collect items I can buy myself, just to resell them to me mostly unmodified. You could put your electrical fears at ease if you can track down a handy friend, or local helpful HBT member.

My $.02

I'm in the same boat - Just got my annual bump from our employees in Washing DC, and I've been eyeballin some 20G Bling

 

[Brewmoor]

If you are not comfortable building an electric system yourself then this is a good choice. Though like sweetsounds said. You could go other ways. Nice shiny kettles are nice but when you wrap them with insulation they look just as nice as a $50 converted keg.

I was able to make my complete system for about $1500. That includes a lot of things that are not in that kit. You will want a stand. You might want faster heating too. I heat my water in my kettle with 5500w. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to mash in temps. They are using weldless fittings not welded. Welds can be cheaper if you braze them yourself. There are lots of other little things that can save you money.

Overall though. I think it is a great system. If it were me though and I did not have the ability to build it myself. I would buy the mini-brew system. Save some money by buying the plastic tanks. Then you can upgrade later to three kegs and complete the system. Using their electronics.

 

[wildwest450]

If I could figure out how to replicate that control box I could do the rest my self.

 

[killian]

If I could figure out how to replicate that control box I could do the rest my self.

I have been thinking the same thing, that seems to be the 1 thing keeping me from using electric with my set up.

 

[jkarp]

Looks like nothing more than a PWM driven SSR to regulate power to the element - maybe $40 in parts. Most brewers would prefer to have some sort of temperature control in their systems and use off-the-shelf PID controllers that are even easier to wire up. If you really have your heart set on just a dial control for the kettle alone, I know various PWM designs has been written up here a number of times.

 

[wildwest450]

Looks like nothing more than a PWM driven SSR to regulate power to the element - maybe $40 in parts. Most brewers would prefer to have some sort of temperature control in their systems and use off-the-shelf PID controllers that are even easier to wire up. If you really have your heart set on just a dial control for the kettle alone, I know various PWM designs has been written up here a number of times.

Gee thanks. I suppose your electrical knowledge is better than your reading comprehension.

 

[jkarp]

Gee thanks. I suppose your electrical knowledge is better than your reading comprehension.

Care to rephrase?

 

[erik]

Care to rephrase?

He is saying that he has zero knowledge of how to do electrical work, and wouldn't know where to start.

wildwest, I think the best option is to look around and figure out exactly what you want and then start asking here for help to plan it. There are some talented (and helpful) people with good electrical skills that could help you put together a control box that does what you want.

 

[Brewmoor]

If I could figure out how to replicate that control box I could do the rest my self.

I believe there is someone out there making control just control boxes. I seem to remember seeing them somewhere. Though they were pricey. Like $500.

There may even be someone on the forum that would make you one for a small fee. If I had the extra time i would help you out. I can sell you a PWM though. It is a very simple design. You would have to figure out how to get 12v dc to it and how to wire up the SSR.

 

[wildwest450]

Care to rephrase?

Ok, your post sounded like a peanuts(charlie brown) adult talking, whah, whah,whah. Pwm, ssr, pid mean nothing to me. Jesus I put smilies there, have a sense of humor.

 

[wildwest450]

He is saying that he has zero knowledge of how to do electrical work, and wouldn't know where to start.

wildwest, I think the best option is to look around and figure out exactly what you want and then start asking here for help to plan it. There are some talented (and helpful) people with good electrical skills that could help you put together a control box that does what you want.

I know exactly what i want. A rims or herms, with full/ partial automation. Crap I hate being a n00b again at something.

 

[wildwest450]

I believe there is someone out there making control just control boxes. I seem to remember seeing them somewhere. Though they were pricey. Like $500.

Here, http://www.brewmation.com/Elements.html

Crap I could buy the whole setup for what he wants for some of those.

 

[jkarp]

Ok, your post sounded like a peanuts(charlie brown) adult talking, whah, whah,whah. Pwm, ssr, pid mean nothing to me. Jesus I put smilies there, have a sense of humor.

Umm. OK.

If I could figure out how to replicate that control box I could do the rest my self.

I was simply trying to help. With over 4K posts and a membership here, surely you're aware of the little search button above, right? If PWM, SSR, and PID mean nothing to you yet you really want your question answered, why don't you just search? Might be easer than slamming someone's "reading comprehension".

 

[gunner65]

I recommend research and learn. If you buy a pre-built system you wont be able to repair it if you have no knowledge of it. I mean seriously a control box for $500? I built mine for about $80. Have an electrician drop you a 40 amp gfi protected outlet the rest is really just plug and play.

 

[wildwest450]

Umm. OK.

I was simply trying to help. With over 4K posts and a membership here, surely you're aware of the little search button above, right? If PWM, SSR, and PID mean nothing to you yet you really want your question answered, why don't you just search? Might be easer than slamming someone's "reading comprehension".

Because I never asked what those things were. I simply asked if people with a working knowledge of electric brew rigs thought those were reasonably priced setups.

And I wasn't slamming you, did you not have your coffee yet?

 

[DKershner]

I...If PWM, SSR, and PID mean nothing to you yet you really want your question answered, why don't you just search?...

I understand where wildwest is coming from. I have read extensively about how to create and control an electric system, but I completely lack the technical knowledge to know what each piece really does. I can figure out the end task that the combination of parts produces, but not why. Hell, wiring up my outlet box with simple 115V power was tough enough for me...and I sound farther along than he does.

 

[wildwest450]

I understand where wildwest is coming from. I have read extensively about how to create and control an electric system, but I completely lack the technical knowledge to know what each piece really does. I can figure out the end task that the combination of parts produces, but not why. Hell, wiring up my outlet box with simple 115V power was tough enough for me...and I sound farther along than he does.

Thank you.

 

[ralph]

The highgravitybrew controller uses a 3-prong dryer plug (hot, hot, ground) and provides a 110v pump outlet (hot, neutral, ground) -- are they conflating ground with neutral, and will that cause trouble for a gfci outlet? Or am I confused about something?

 

[P-J]

... are they conflating ground with neutral, and will that cause trouble for a gfci outlet? Or am I confused about something?

No, you are not confused. You are spot on. That simple violation of wiring principles should raise a huge red flag for anyone considering that vendor.

 

[wildwest450]

Another thing I love about electric. No two people agree on any setup. Pol thread here we come.

 

[erik]

Take a look here http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/. The first post is all about setting up the kettles, but I'll bet they'll do a control box, etc. post in the (near?) future.

 

[Brewmoor]

Here, http://www.brewmation.com/Elements.html

Crap I could buy the whole setup for what he wants for some of those.

I think the unit for $599 would be the one you want. That would leave you $1000 for stand, kegs, pipes, pump, and misc connectors.

If you compare that to the full system you originally posted about. You would have a much nicer system. I would venture to say you would end up lower than $1500 total if you went this route.

I think in my opinion given your electrical knowledge. That would be the ticket. After buying wire, switches, controllers, connectors, and misc other parts. My control system was the most expensive part of my build. What they are offering is a pretty good system. You are pretty much getting exactly what I have on my system as far as control features.

Edit: After looking at it a bit more. The features of the $799 unit is more like what I have. This is a bit pricey. I bet I only have about $400 in all my parts.

 

[wildwest450]

I think the unit for $599 would be the one you want. That would leave you $1000 for stand, kegs, pipes, pump, and misc connectors.

If you compare that to the full system you originally posted about. You would have a much nicer system. I would venture to say you would end up lower than $1500 total if you went this route.

I think in my opinion given your electrical knowledge. That would be the ticket. After buying wire, switches, controllers, connectors, and misc other parts. My control system was the most expensive part of my build. What they are offering is a pretty good system. You are pretty much getting exactly what I have on my system as far as control features.

Edit: After looking at it a bit more. The features of the $799 unit is more like what I have. This is a bit pricey. I bet I only have about $400 in all my parts.

Something to think about. Who wants to build me one?

 

[P-J]

Something to think about. Who wants to build me one?

Sparta, Tn? Darn shame. Wish you were closer. The build is not all that difficult. But, IMHO, it requires some hands on to make sure that all of the safety considerations are accounted for in the process.

 

[gunner65]

Sparta, Tn? Darn shame. Wish you were closer. The build is not all that difficult. But, IMHO, it requires some hands on to make sure that all of the safety considerations are accounted for in the process.

+1 I would have no problem building one if you could be here to help and understand. That is just too much liability.

 

[EarthBound]

I recommend research and learn. If you buy a pre-built system you wont be able to repair it if you have no knowledge of it.

+1 to that.

Not just repair, but safety as well. What you're dealing with could kill you.

I know that you are an intelligent man; therefore, you could easily learn the necessary theory. Start playing around with the electrical components on your own (which is fun!) before dealing with an entire complex electrical system.

If you won't bother to learn the fundamentals, then don't proceed to buy it. You don't need an electrical system, especially if you're not willing to understand how it works.

Good luck, and keep it safe, bro.

 

[Brewmoor]

+1 to that.

Not just repair, but safety as well. What you're dealing with could kill you.

I know that you are an intelligent man; therefore, you could easily learn the necessary theory. Start playing around with the electrical components on your own (which is fun!) before dealing with an entire complex electrical system.

If you won't bother to learn the fundamentals, then don't proceed to buy it. You don't need an electrical system, especially if you're not willing to understand how it works.

Good luck, and keep it safe, bro.

I am not so sure I agree with you on this. Everyday housewives turn on their electric stoves and microwaves with boiling fluid in them. They do not need to know the hows and whys of the device they are using. Why should brewing be any different. I bet most commercial brewers do not really know how their equipment works. When it breaks they call in the repairman.

Expecting everyone to know as much as designers and builders does seem a little bit of a reach. Though we have some safeguards in place like UL listings and such, but overall people have other things to deal with then learning complicated details. They just need their products to work.

Though I agree it is in your best interest to know much of these things. I don't believe they are required. Another dangerous "thing" many people use is a car. Sure some of us tinker and modify. Most just turn the key.

 

[wildwest450]

I am not so sure I agree with you on this.

Well said! I'm not an idiot. I have a class A CDL, I've build 3 homes from the ground up. I can pour and finish cement, and chew bubble gum and walk at the same time.

Plus my dad is a licensed electrician. I just don't know the technical in's and out's of a partially automated electric brewery. It's mostly a lingo/sourcing problem. I'm starting to see why the POl ran off.

 

[HogwashBrewster]

I was at High Gravity last Sunday at an all-grain class. They demonstrate with that very system. It works like a dream. I am slowly converting over to electric and emulating their system as closely as I can.