An affordable option to building an all electric system?

[wildwest450]

Hi wild, just wanted to let you know I live about 1.5 hours from you. I have built a system from scratch you can check out in my gallery. Also here.
Consider yourself invited to come down and check out the system and/or a brewday, if it might help you in some ideas or clarifications.

That's a sweet offer! I may take you up on it. I'm sure things would be much clearer once seen in person. That's a nice setup.

 

[lschiavo]

Certainly, he's all in on anything want to do. As soon as I told him about it he went home and started goggling stuff. He called me and asked me if I everheard of a site called HomebrewTalk.com. Any schematics you want to share are welcome. The more research I do, the easier I believe it will be to do myself.

So he found HBT: and there is some wildwest guy on there trying to do exactly what we are

Here is a few shots of my brewery. There are more in my gallery. I assume you can see them. I just signed up and am getting used to the features yet.

It is still a work in progress. Lots of little things to finish up. But it makes beer! I am still boiling with propane. BTW, the photo dates are way off.

 

[wildwest450]

Very nice. I think you could have put your hlt a few inches higher.

 

[passedpawn]

Here's what i made, and damn proud of it

I'm rebuilding my control box and I think I am liking the converted tool box. I used to think it was a little ghetto, but sometimes it takes me a while to appreciate true genius. I think it is perfect for my system.

 

[gunner65]

I wonder how many e-keggles have "The Pol" design potted pvc connection? I know it works great for mine! Thanks be to Pol!

 

[lschiavo]

Very nice. I think you could have put your hlt a few inches higher.

Thanks. The HLT could go higher. It wouldnt matter as I never have to get into it. It is totally plumbed in with solenoid valves. I push a button to fill and another to drain. I also have it plumbed to my sink for hot water there.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks. The HLT could go higher. It wouldnt matter as I never have to get into it. It is totally plumbed in with solenoid valves. I push a button to fill and another to drain. I also have it plumbed to my sink for hot water there.

Yeah, that's a very cool feature. I like the recirculation feature on it, too. I have a weird "stirrer" but lschiavo's actually recirculates the water, to "stir" it. It's an awesome HLT system, and I'm extremely jealous.

 

[dutch-brew]

I wonder how many e-keggles have "The Pol" design potted pvc connection? I know it works great for mine! Thanks be to Pol!

I agree.. i can't take any credit for any of my items in my setup.. it's all inspired by HBT members. I was thinking of doing a proper thread later on with pic and thanks to all the members that helped/inspired/gave advice, but for now i will thank these members right here..

thanks (in no particular order),
Pol, passed pawn, code rage, Kal and probably a few more i can't even think of right now.. couldn't have done it without you guys.



Passed Pawn: i like the toolbox setup, i can take it all apart, take the control box inside instead of in a shed, and brew inside or outside (i have a long power-cord).. Next i am putting a computer fan in it for cooling, another switch and some outlets and then it'll be done.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

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.

Post the design please

 

[akthor]

Electric brewing looks cool. If you rent and just have "normal" wiring and can't re-wire your apt. you can't do it though I assume????

 

[wildwest450]

Electric brewing looks cool. If you rent and just have "normal" wiring and can't re-wire your apt. you can't do it though I assume????

It is cool. Do some searching, there are people who use 110v heat sticks for boiling. It limits you somewhat, but is doable.

 

[jkarp]

Post the design please

A quick search here gets you several PWM threads. Start with this one:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/pwm-boil-kettle-control-159193/