Another Electric Build - Morgan Dollar Brewery

[jcwalsh]

Hello All,

I have been putting parts together for the last 6 weeks and started cutting holes in my control panel yesterday. Hopefully I will be able to paint it today and get everything installed. This is a Kal clone and it would not have been possible without his detailed instructions and documentation. Thanks Kal.

This is going to be a long drawn out build as we have new twin girls and both sleep and spare time have been sparse.

In addition to the control panel I am using 2 modified Sanke kegs for the HLT and MLT. I am lucky enough to have welders at work that are going to weld on the tri-clamp ferrules for the BK and HLT. I bought the tri-clamp element adapters from Brewers Hardware. They are slick and I can not wait to get them running.

I know that in the coming weeks I am going to need some help from those that have completed the process, so thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[djsethall]

Nice looking panel start

 

[sasky7777]

I am interested in hearing how those tri-clamp adapters work for your elements.

 

[jcwalsh]

The Welder at work installed the ferrules today and I did the elements and temp probe cables last night. I am going to coil the ss recirc tubing and install in the HWT tomorrow.

 

[jsguitar]

That looks awesome. Holy cow! Just noticed you're in Shawnee! Looking forward to your updates.

 

[jcwalsh]

Nice to know someone is from the area. I have only been here for a few years and am amazed how many people brew in the KC area.

More pics.

 

[jcwalsh]

Got some more stuff completed today.

Everything is mounted to the interior control panel tray, control panel cover is painted and relays are mounted to the "Super Jumbo" heatsink.

I will see if I can drill the holes to mount the heatsink so I can paint the rest of the control panel box tonight.

I ordered all of the tags this week and hopefully they will arrive sometime next week.

 

[Dirty]

Nice work.

Keep the pic coming

Rock Chalk

Chris

 

[jcwalsh]

I started wiring the interior of the panel today. I gave the box and door a final coat of paint last night and am now just waiting for the tags to arrive. I went a different route and bought the tags that surround the switches so until they arrive I am on hold. I have to say that I was shocked at the cost of the outlets and plugs. I filled a basket at Home Depot and could not bring myself to drop the $230 total. Back to eBay to see if I can save some money....

 

[Tinga]

paint job looks great

 

[jcwalsh]

Completed some more wiring on the control panel and installed the tray in the box. I also wired up the relays and installed the heat sink. I hope the tags come today as I am traveling most of next week. I also scored a nice (free) sheet of aluminum diamond plate that is going to be the top and bottom tray of the stand.

 

[jcwalsh]

Tags arrived

 

[Utmustang]

Nice panel. Where did you get the disconnect switch? I have been looking for one, but I have been scared of the price.

 

[jcwalsh]

The disconnect switch was already installed on the used panel I bought on E-bay. I ended up laying out everything else around that switch and the one light that was already there. Same reason the heat sink is on the side. The carry handle was already installed on top and it is great for carrying it around.

 

[brewinsam]

1.5" ferrule?

 

[jcwalsh]

Yes 1.5" ferrule, installed on both the boil kettle and Sanke HLT. The MLT is a upside down Sanke with a 2" Tri-Clamp to 1.5" reducer.

I found a old GreenLee 1.5" panel punch on e-bay and it cut the perfect hole for the OD of the ferrules. If anyone needs it just let me know and I will send it to you, just pay for shipping.

I really like this setup as I will be able to remove the elements and be able to give the boil kettle a good scrubbing. It also lets me put the elements and cords away when not in use and reduce the chance of damaging something.

 

[sasky7777]

Looking good. What method did you use for attaching the sensors to the kettles? For the elements how long are the ferrules?

 

[jcwalsh]

The temp sensors will be mounted following Kal's plans. Both the MLT and HLT are installed into 1/2 FPT Ts and the wort and water flow constantly across them. The BK is permanently installed into the side.

I have all the parts but have not installed them. I am trying to finish the control panel and then finish building the stand w/ pumps & CF chiller. It has been very hot here the last few weeks so I have been doing as much as I can in the house.

I have tried two different ways of coiling the 1/2 SS tubing for the HLT and have kinked it both ways. Out of everything this has been the biggest PITA.

 

[flatulentfox]

How are the TC heater elements working out? Did everything assemble easily? I have been eyeing these for the e build I am planning. Any chance of getting a few details pics of the interior with the cap removed?

Thanks!

 

[jcwalsh]

I will post some pics when I get home. They were a breeze to put together. It took 5-10 minutes total and they really look great. You just have to be willing to drop the $$$.

 

[jcwalsh]

As requested here are some pics of the Tri-Clamp element.

 

[flatulentfox]

As requested here are some pics of the Tri-Clamp element.

Awesome. Thanks for posting those. That is pretty. I guess I will have to build it into my budget...

This gets expensive quickly, doesn't it?

 

[jcwalsh]

Someone asked if I was keeping a list of what I had spent so far. "Hell NO" or I would have been forcibly stopped long ago. One box of outlets for the control box arrived yesterday and my Wife lost it. She said she is throwing the next package that comes for me away.

 

[brum]

Better camp out for the UPS man

 

[flatulentfox]

Don't want to get you in more trouble, but, if you are going all TC check these out:

http://breweryparts.com/index.php/f...ll-valves-tri-clamp-174/ball-valves-tc-2.html

I'm trying to figure out a way to justify these....

 

[Tinga]

Don't want to get you in more trouble, but, if you are going all TC check these out:

http://breweryparts.com/index.php/f...ll-valves-tri-clamp-174/ball-valves-tc-2.html

I'm trying to figure out a way to justify these....

.... $85 for a pretty ball valve? woof

 

[flatulentfox]

.... $85 for a pretty ball valve? woof

Not pretty, but easily disassembled with no tools for cleaning. No wrenches and nuts and bolts like three pieces, just a tri clamp in the middle, rinse it off and you're good. That's the advantage of any TC: no threads, easy disassembly for cleaning.

 

[Tinga]

Not pretty, but easily disassembled with no tools for cleaning. No wrenches and nuts and bolts like three pieces, just a tri clamp in the middle, rinse it off and you're good. That's the advantage of any TC: no threads, easy disassembly for cleaning.

sounds like you've already got your justification right there.

 

[hammis]

great build man!

One questions, how does the element stay tight (water tight) inside the brewers hardware enclosure? it looks like it just sits in there, which would worry me since there is nothing stopping it from leaking.

 

[kevink]

It has to thread in to a female threaded portion. No doubt about it.