Basement Brewery Project

[Pops]

Beautiful! you can be buried in it, too! What a money saver!

I almost had to change my underware after I read that!

 

[floyduww]

I tested it. I fit. And if I don't get it hung soon (or brew her beer) I will be buried in it.

 

[Pops]

I tested it. I fit. And if I don't get it hung soon (or brew her beer) I will be buried in it.

Her beer? Hahahahahaah.

 

[joety]

bump, love the hood

After discovering a 6 foot hood will cost me $1000 used and $2000 new, I may have to go this route.

 

[corymcd]

this is brilliant...was puzzling about this situation and came across your post. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[thehines]

I look forward to more pictures of the build.

 

[greencon]

I'm starting a basement brewery project of my own. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

 

[BigJerk]

Nice! we're about a year away from being able to seriously look at buying a house. Brewspace is a must in the wishlist, and I'm really hoping (SWMBO says dreaming) for a walk out basement.

 

[joety]

I'm starting a basement brewery project of my own. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Me too. Been using lots of information on this site, as well as Kal's Electric Brewery website, which is beyond phenomenal. I will definitely be buying him a beer or two when I'm done.

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/

 

[KRYLOK]

did you just spot weld the vent hood?

 

[joety]

did you just spot weld the vent hood?

.... I held the sheets together with pop rivets and nailed the box to a frame made of 2x4s I had lying around. ...

Thought I could help.

 

[NewBrewB]

So I'll jump onboard by saying *subscribed* and then asking my dumb question.

I was under the impression that having fire burn for hours (or at least 90 minutes) in an enclosed space is a bad thing, not because of the heat (though that, too) but because it burns-up the oxygen in the room and you get a headache and then take a long-term nap... Actually, I thought this was the whole reason for people to build those electric heat-wand gadgets... I'd like to hear more about the heat source and oxygen levels in the room.

Obviously this is not a problem and this thread totally inspires me. I'll be moving in the next few months and a basement is at the top of my list, even higher than "secret passageways" and "man-cave with a bar."

 

[elkdog]

So I'll jump onboard by saying *subscribed* and then asking my dumb question.

I was under the impression that having fire burn for hours (or at least 90 minutes) in an enclosed space is a bad thing, not because of the heat (though that, too) but because it burns-up the oxygen in the room and you get a headache and then take a long-term nap... Actually, I thought this was the whole reason for people to build those electric heat-wand gadgets... I'd like to hear more about the heat source and oxygen levels in the room.

Obviously this is not a problem and this thread totally inspires me. I'll be moving in the next few months and a basement is at the top of my list, even higher than "secret passageways" and "man-cave with a bar."

Well, you need serious ventilation, like Artbrau has. I'm first-person testimony that it's a great room to hang out in.

 

[Screw991le]

Very nice, I wish I had the room in the basement for this.

 

[KRYLOK]

Thought I could help.

Thanks... Prost!

 

[artbrau]

Earlier in this thread you can see the Fantech FKD10 fan I use on the exhaust hood. I also used the the specified fan speed controller. The fan is 3amps and the controller is rated for 5.

Problem is, I've blown out 3 of them. They work fine for a few brew sessions then "pop." The sound of sparks, the smell of ozone and it's done. I don't think the wiring is faulty because the controllers do work for a while.

I went looking for a heavy duty controller but they are much larger and much more expensive (penny wise...?) So I got this one

It's rated for 15 amps and has a fuse. The problem is, it's designed to plug in a fan, not wire in-line as a switch. I though about complex hacks involving re-wiring the insides and got out my soldering gun before I realized I was way overthinking it.

I just cut off the plug, wired it together and used it as a jumper for the outlet where the fan would plug in. Then I took the beheaded cord that was supposed to plug into the wall and wired that in the way a switch would go. I flipped the breaker back on and Bob's your uncle! Works like a charm. We will see for how long. Hopefully, the fuse gives me a cheaper failure mode.

You can see where what was the plug cord comes out where the switch used to be. The ground wire in the cord does connect to ground. Where a fan would plug in, you can see the stubby tail of the plug with a wire nut shorting the two current carrying wires.

 

[Dukeman9988]

Subscribed

 

[scruffymmh]

Hopefully someone out there hears this: My understanding is that the interior of this box has flat surfaces, except for the hole in the top leading to the exhaust duct. Is there any condensation buildup in the interior of the box - condensation that doesn't get sucked into the ventilation duct? If so, doesn't that collect and drip back down?

 

[floyduww]

I built the same hood as artbrau, and I have never had a condensation issue. In case I did get some condensation there is a drip edge on mine that would drip from one of the corners, away from my brew. The drip edge is also for safety, the raw metal edge can be sharp.

 

[floyduww]

I did upgrade my exhaust from 400cfm vent hood and box fan to a 900 cfm vortex fan.

http://home-floyd.homelinux.com/brewery/hood3.jpg
http://home-floyd.homelinux.com/brewery/hood4.jpg

Overall it helped with getting rid of heat. Didn't notice a humidity change.