Another Brutus in the making

[mplutodh1]

If two March pumps are good, would three be even better with this type of brewstand? Or just a waste of a good pump?

I'd have to ask what you plan to use the 3rd for though? Not sure I see a use for it...

 

[RonRock]

I don't know either. I've never brewed with anything other than my fryer burner and cooler. So just looking for suggestions while I build this. I figure I can make changes after it is built but why not look for ideas as I go. And I have three pumps on hand anyway. Good backup or use for another project.

I have not noticed any others with three pumps, so probably not needed. Just a thought.

 

[mplutodh1]

I might suggest sketching up each "phase" in the brewing process with your new brewery - draw the hoses and illustrate how you'll use each piece of equipment. Then take a look at it and see if you can modify that anyway - it'll help you understand if you could somehow use a 3rd pump (although like I said, doubt there is much use for one).


Maybe you can come up with some kind of clean in place setup for kegs, bottles, or other equipment with that 3rd pump... just an idea. Always nice to have the "problem" of extra gear!

 

[RonRock]

Thanks, yeah I have a lot of stuff I could just hang on the brewery. But if there is no good reason I'd rather keep it in a box.

Your build looks like it will be nice. I like the tippy dump. What was wrong with the Hurricane? I have not studied mine all that close.

 

[mplutodh1]

The threaded hole in the venture tube (the inlet for the propane) that the brass orifice/regulator hose fitting is off center such that the valve plate cannot be installed and the threaded hole in the venture casting is oversized such that the threads on the brass fitting do not engage.

With it being cast, it's to be expected, just bummer the quality control didn't catch it.

And thanks - we're excited. We're watching your build as well!

 

[RonRock]

I did screw in the orifices so I hope mine are ok. Only finger tight at this point, seem ok so far. Bummer having to return and wait again.

I have a couple days off so hope to make some headway. But we have snow forecast for the next 3-4 days, that always slows everything down.

 

[kladue]

The 350K 2 stage regulator will work well, the chances of having all 3 burners flat out at same time are very small. Normally you have the HLT flat out for strike water, then it is at low fire bringing sparge water up to temp while mashing is going on, then finally the boil kettle will be the only burner being fired during boil.

 

[RonRock]

Another question. I will have 120 volt power to the stand. I will have a 24 volt transformer to run the gas valves. I need a 6 volt power supply for my BCS-460. The BCS comes with a wall wort transformer. I want to hard wire the power lead to the BCS. No room for a power receptacle in my console. Is there a simple way to tap off the 24v or is there a 6v trans that can be wired into the power source?

 

[camiller]

Another question. I will have 120 volt power to the stand. I will have a 24 volt transformer to run the gas valves. I need a 6 volt power supply for my BCS-460. The BCS comes with a wall wort transformer. I want to hard wire the power lead to the BCS. No room for a power receptacle in my console. Is there a simple way to tap off the 24v or is there a 6v trans that can be wired into the power source?

A small voltage regulation circuit with a LM317 voltage regulator and a couple resistors (240 ohm and 910 ohm) will convert a 24v power source to ~6v.

http://www.electronics-lab.com/articles/LM317/

Since you are in the neighborhood I expect to see this in action some day.

 

[Brewmoor]

A small voltage regulation circuit with a LM317 voltage regulator and a couple resistors (240 ohm and 910 ohm) will convert a 24v power source to ~6v.

http://www.electronics-lab.com/articles/LM317/

Since you are in the neighborhood I expect to see this in action some day.

This is a very simple circuit to build. I built one to bring my voltage down to AAA battery strength. 1.5v to power my digital thermometers.

Here is a good calculator for determining what resistors you need.

http://www.whatcircuits.com/lm317-calculator-v2/

 

[humann_brewing]

This is a great build Ron, I am thinking of modeling my stand design on yours mainly because I like how the burners are in there and the support. Any more pics?

 

[RonRock]

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with the way it is turning out. I can't take credit for the design, it is a copy of a couple that I've seen built here. They put most of the ideas into it. I just copied. Anyway I've made a little progress.

 

[RonRock]

Time to mount my 2 pumps and Therminator.

Any advice from anyone that has already been here? Is there a "best" place to mount them?

 

[lehr]

Yea Ron the idea thief !

Looks great buddy.

Pat

 

[user 40839]

Ron, you welding ho, you!

I'm having some... issues in building my own frame, and was wondering if I could ask a favor - any chance you could post dimensions/cut list for this build? And take a photo or four underneath that hood so I can scope out your plumbing!!

 

[RonRock]

Post #24 in this thread has the cut list. It is from Nickstek's build. I left out a couple of the pieces, but the overall dimensions are the same. I think it will hold up to the weight.

There really is not much more to see on the plumbing than what you see. I used 3/8" Aluminum Tubing from the gas valves to a screw valve for burner control, then more 3/8" to the burner. I have yet to run the pilot tubing but it will pretty much follow the 3/8 to the burner. What you can not see is simply ran on the bottom side of the console.

Happy to take a picture if wanted. LMK.


Oh, I also made a small manifold for the gas valves. With three valves they take up a lot of space so I made the manifold to condense things as much as I could. I bolted it to the frame for removal if necessary. Would have rather welded it in but not enough room to spin the valves to tighten or remove. Could have used unions, but I don't like them. Personal issue.

 

[user 40839]

Cheers Ron, apparently paying attention isn't my strongest point. Since my rig isn't going to be automated, I need my valves easily accessible for controlling the flame, and with the big ol' banjo burners, the standard brutus plans won't work - looks like you and Nick got it covered, tho! (Although those honeywells are damned expensive!) A photo of that manifold would be great - any way I can make it as clean as possible would be a help. I actually wondered about finding an old propane grill, and stripping the hardware out of that (minus the regulator) to control my flow, but methinks that'd be absolutely fraught with issues.

Also, since you're building out of non-stainless, how are you going to finish it?

 

[klyph]

Awesome work, I can't wait til I have the space to build one of these.

 

[lucasbm]

Very nice.

 

[trailblazer]

how did you make the burner wind shield/mounts? did you buy steel tube that size or did you roll it and weld it? what the inside diameter of those also?

sorry for all the questions

 

[RonRock]

No problem.

I started with 12 inch tube, cut about 2 inches out and squeezed it together with big hose clamps. Then welded back together. Ending up with the correct inside diameter. I don't recall exact size seems like 11 1/4 inch. I can measure tomorrow AM if needed.

edit:

Measure 11 inch ID.

 

[user 40839]

No problem.

I started with 12 inch tube, cut about 2 inches out and squeezed it together with big hose clamps. Then welded back together. Ending up with the correct inside diameter. I don't recall exact size seems like 11 1/4 inch. I can measure tomorrow AM if needed.

Wasn't that damned expensive??

 

[lehr]

how did you make the burner wind shield/mounts? did you buy steel tube that size or did you roll it and weld it? what the inside diameter of those also?

sorry for all the questions

Trailblazer you can also make them out of flat sheet and roll them on a slip roller that is how I made mine.

Pat

 

[RonRock]

I think I payed 40.00 for the tube and sectioned and welded it myself. Seems reasonable to me. I would have had to pay for sheet stock anyway.

My first intention was to use my slip roller but 1/8" was pretty heavy. I wanted something thick enough that I could easily weld on and add to the strength it would give to the frame. For support under the kettle's.

Overkill? Probably, that's the way I roll. :rockin:

 

[Yambor44]

Looking good! Subscribed.

 

[RonRock]

Thanks. Made some headway today. Finally figured out the best configuration for my burners. At least for now! I need to get this thing buttoned up and give it a run to see what will need tweaked.

Sorry no pics, nothing new to see at this point.

 

[gbrewing]

Ron,

Are the burners you are using low or high pressure? How are you planning on mounting the standing pilot to the burners? I read that you are using the two stage regulator. I know that if you take your system specs into a propane dealer, they will get you into the right dual stage regulator.

Your build looks great. Keep us posted.

 

[RonRock]

Thanks gbrewing, I have followed your work on the BCS site and took a look at your site. Can you tell me what size batch's you do? Any idea how long from sparge to boil?

With my Low Pressure Hurricanes as currently configured I get a 3 degree per minute rise. Seems OK, just need some comparisons. Hate to waste a lot of time and gas with the wrong burner.

I have the Honeywell 8610 Intermittent Pilot setup with spark igniter's on all three burners. To be controlled by BCS-460.

 

[gbrewing]

Ahh yes... Now I recognize the name! Another BCS'er.. I think your burners will work great!

I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to repeat my mistake at any point by trying to run the 0-30 psi adjustable regulator with the pictured gas valves.

I brew 5 or 10 gallon batches depending on what I am brewing. I usually brew the darks in 5 gallon batches and tend to brew 10 gallons of summer wheats, hef's, and "session" lawn mower beers during summer.

I have yet to time from sparge to boil but will be glad to let you know. Perhaps if I get some extra time tomorrow I will run a test and see what happens. I'm curious as well.

Great looking brutus. Looking forward to reading about how great it works!

 

[gbrewing]

Here is a comparison I did with the low pressure jet to the high pressure Banjo with video. http://www.gbrewing.com/2010/02/06/jet-burner-versus-banjo-burner/

It shows some side by side comparisons.