Automating outdoor brewery: possible?

[Haasobrew]

I just built a big wooden stand to brew on. It's a single tier 2 burner rig. I will soon be rigging it up with an asco valve and controller. Here lies the problem: it will live on my patio. How do asco red hats hold up in south Louisiana elements? Can they handle some light moisture? Patio is covered, but still gets wet during serious rain. I want to automate everything, so I'm thinking a dry box to tuck away all the electronics (controller, pumps, etc) so do I need to install the asco in such a way that it can be removed without much hassle when not in use?

Also, any thoughts on where to acquire/how to fabricate a "brew box" that houses my two march pumps, an auber instruments controller, and all associated wiring in such a way that I can carry it outside and plug it into the stand, get my brew day in, then bring back inside for safe storage?

The plan is a herms coil in the HLT with the pumps recirculating the hlt and mlt.

Any ideas ?

 

[JonW]

Look for patio furniture covers. You could cover the whole rig and keep things from the elements.

 

[Haasobrew]

I'm thinking two pumps, one fat 50 ammo can, 3 switches, and a little fan to keep it cool.

Ebay'd the ammo can last night.

Now; how to manage the controller-thermoprobe-solenoid rig. Are quick disconnects for these sorts of electronics useable? I know the thermoprobe I ordered has a qd on it, but can I rig the asco solenoid wires like that? Then just pipe all the wires to a place for the control box to "quick connect" for brewday?
These may be dumb questions... I know nothing about electronics and rigging then up. Any advice is appreciated.
A part number and wiring schematic for the electronically challened ...I would be extremely appreciative

 

[JuanMoore]

My HERMS is kept outdoors, and my control panel disconnects so I can bring it inside. Everything else stays outside. The furnace valve and pump have covers over them, but still get a little wet during a hard rain. Hopefully that won't create any problems long term. I used DC barrel jacks to connect my temps probes to the panel. The pump and valve currently plug into standard outlets on the bottom of the panel, which I'd like to replace with twist lock outlets at some point.

 

[Haasobrew]

My HERMS is kept outdoors, and my control panel disconnects so I can bring it inside. Everything else stays outside. The furnace valve and pump have covers over them, but still get a little wet during a hard rain. Hopefully that won't create any problems long term. I used DC barrel jacks to connect my temps probes to the panel. The pump and valve currently plug into standard outlets on the bottom of the panel, which I'd like to replace with twist lock outlets at some point.

Thank you sir. That's just what I needed to hear. I'll look for twist lock outlets. Excuse my ignorance, but I dont know what DC barrel jacks are. Direct connect or direct current?

 

[JuanMoore]

Thank you sir. That's just what I needed to hear. I'll look for twist lock outlets. Excuse my ignorance, but I dont know what DC barrel jacks are. Direct connect or direct current?

Direct current, like the power plug on a laptop, modem, older cell phones, etc. I think most radioshacks stock them. Pics below aren't panel mount, but you get the idea.

 

[Haasobrew]

I got my hands on 4 panel mount dc jacks. I am using a pt100 temp sensor with 3 wires, so it will connect using two dc jacks. The ASCO valve has 3 wires. Can I simply ground it's green wire to the wood on the brewstand? Then connect it's two power wires through a dc jack? I am wiring it so I can plug it into one of two jacks depending on if I want it controlled by the pid or a switch. If I need to ground the asco properly(through the control box) I'll just need to buy another dc jack.
Now that I think about it, I suppose I will just buy another jack for the asco to ground.
Another question, can the pid power the asco valve directly or does it need a ssr? I think it can do it directly, but if I do use a ssr, I can wire it's j1 terminals to a buzzer to let me know when my temps are good. Where does one go to acquire a SSR?

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I would use a SSR even if your PID can handle it. Its generally cheaper to replace a burnt out SSR than replacing a PID. You can get SSRs on ebay pretty cheap... I use the CRYDOM brand and they have worked well for me.