Coloradoan Single Tier Build

[nextgenxx]

That looks sweet! Nice work man, any pics in action yet?

 

[herc1354]

I can only say one word.....WOW! Great job, very cool

 

[bsomogyi]

Dude, that is an awesome looking panel. Can you post a few shots of how you have the iPad mounted? Also, is the iPad removable? I have been considering going with BCS some time down the road, but I don't see SWMBO letting me buy an iPad solely dedicated to the brew rig.

Thanks! The ipad mount is from Chief. You can find them on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BESVFEM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Attached are some photos without the ipad inside. There are four mounting screws. Both sides have two allen screws - once removed, the end comes off and you can slide the ipad into the mount. Works pretty nicely and is very secure.

 

[bsomogyi]

Dude, that is an awesome looking panel. Can you post a few shots of how you have the iPad mounted? Also, is the iPad removable? I have been considering going with BCS some time down the road, but I don't see SWMBO letting me buy an iPad solely dedicated to the brew rig.

Oh - and buy the ipad for her to read her books and borrow it on brew days. That's what I did.

 

[wncbrewer]

Perfect, just what I wanted to know. One more question...would you recommend the BCS system to someone with basic computer skills but no programming knowledge whatsoever? I have pid's now and found them pretty easy to dial in, but the BCS intimidates me.

Again, sick panel...I have really enjoyed following your build. Thanks in advance...WNC

 

[bsomogyi]

To be honest I haven't used the bcs on the system yet- still need to wire it all up.However, i did wire up some small circuits to test it out and the interface was intuitive enough to figure out. If you have configuration/wiring questions as a newb, the embededcc forum is also helpful. Since you said you are already using Pids, you probably have used relays, which in my opinion is the biggest piece of knowledge you need to make it work along with some basic understanding of electrical circuits. Nothing you can't pick up online.

 

[wncbrewer]

Thanks for the confidence boost. I feel very comfortable with the wiring, it's the programming side of things I find a little intimidating. Anyway, I am very much looking forward to seeing this build through. Good luck and cheers...WNC.

 

[bsomogyi]

That looks sweet! Nice work man, any pics in action yet?

Not yet. I still need to get everything wired up and acquire a few more fittings. I'll try to post a video when it is complete.

 

[bsomogyi]

Starting to get serious. Finally moved on to electrical. All the panel components are mounted up.

 

[bsomogyi]

Finished diamond plating, pump covers, hsi mounting, and pump outlets.

 

[bsomogyi]

Half way through this wiring nightmare. Why did I make my control panel so complicated? Yikes.

 

[Huaco]

Holy Smokes!
That is a far cry from Kal's design!

Can't wait to see it fire up though! (not literally...) lol!

 

[bsomogyi]

Holy Smokes!
That is a far cry from Kal's design!

Can't wait to see it fire up though! (not literally...) lol!

Lol. Yeah I've gone in some different directions since starting the build. I'm hoping to complete the control panel internal wiring this weekend so I can start testing. I've had the same joke with my buddies about firing this puppy up. Ha!

 

[jacobg83]

Where did you get those lids from?

 

[bsomogyi]

Where did you get those lids from?

Wallyworld in the pots and pans section. They were generic replacement lids.

 

[bsomogyi]

So - I'm going through my power on checks and have started powering on my relay boards. I just realized that the relays have a TTL low coil trigger. Since the bcs and my manual switches send a 5vdc high signal, I have an issue. The relays close when they really should be open. Do you think there would be any reason why I couldn't negate the signal going to the relay board for each channel? Making the low signals high and vice versa. I really don't want to find another relay solution and think negating the signal would work to trigger the coils appropriately. Thoughts?

 

[bsomogyi]

Control panel is complete and has been tested. Now I'm wiring up the stand components to the panel. So far I have the burners up and running. Video to follow. Here are a few photos of the panel.

 

[bsomogyi]

Here is a link to the manual burner test with surface ignitors. Getting close to the finish. This video also makes me realize how scratched the paint has become on the top of the stand. Will have to touch up before the maiden voyage.

[ame="http://youtu.be/JW8EJ2q_p1E"]http://youtu.be/JW8EJ2q_p1E[/ame]

 

[bsomogyi]

So I was tightening everything up for the first test run (I think this upcoming weekend) and I couldn't back out my thermometer to put on teflon tape. It was all cross threaded and stuck in the coupler. Weird how that happened. So I decided to cut the dang thing out and re-weld in a another coupler for a new thermometer. What a pain, waste of time, and waste of a thermometer.

 

[bsomogyi]

It has been a year in the making, but I think I finally have the stand complete. Thanks to all who supported this build thread with inspiration, encouragement, and advice. I had so much fun building the brewery and discussing the progress with all of you. The first trial run will be in the next couple weeks and I will try to post an action video. Thoughts on a recipe to break er' in with?

 

[brewguyver]

It has been a year in the making, but I think I finally have the stand complete. Thanks to all who supported this build thread with inspiration, encouragement, and advice. I had so much fun building the brewery and discussing the progress with all of you. The first trial run will be in the next couple weeks and I will try to post an action video. Thoughts on a recipe to break er' in with?

How out something delicious and easy like an ESB or a basic HEFE (1/2 and 1/2 2 row and wheat). Something with lighter malt and hops so the risk is lower. Good time of year for wheat beers.

 

[day_trippr]

Oh my goodness, that rig is simply spectacular.
Mega golf-claps

Wish you the best of luck running it - though I suspect you've taken luck out of the equation...

Cheers!

[edit] I vote for a robust IIPA. Rock that puppy!

 

[nextgenxx]

Holly Awesomeness! That looks amazing your talented by far! Are you even needed in the brew equation anymore!

I vote for Amarillo IPA of some sort!

Great build

 

[Ttownbrewer]

Been following the thread for a while. Simply put, a work of art! I'm down the highway a few exits, I'd love to see this rig in action if you're ever selling tickets for the event!

I have a bunch of Amarillo and Simcoe to 'donate' to one of the voyages on this beast!

Congrats on the build!

 

[bsomogyi]

Thanks guys. I probably will go with an IPA for the first brewday. Not sure what yet, but thanks for the ideas.

Ttownbrewer,

Good to hear you are in the area. I'm thinking of joining up to the Indian Peaks Alers club. Are you involved with any of the front range clubs?

 

[Ttownbrewer]

Ttownbrewer,

Good to hear you are in the area. I'm thinking of joining up to the Indian Peaks Alers club. Are you involved with any of the front range clubs?[/QUOTE

I have have been to a few meetings of the IPAlers, a good group for sure, I'm planning to check out a couple others as my schedule permits.

Now that you have a killer rig though, what's your fermentation system look like, Or is that going to be another project in the making?

 

[bsomogyi]

I brewed last weekend and everything went better than expected. I ended up making a nice IPA, which I have split fermentation with American Ale and San Diego Super yeast starters. Tasted pretty good going into secondary. There were a few things that I will need to tweak before the next brew day (hopefully next weekend).

- My sight gauges need heat shields.
- I didn't protect the HSI wires that are close to the burners, which melted and exposed wire. Luckily this didn't affect the brew day.
- I need to figure out how to whirlpool or eliminate transfer of trub/hops, as cleaning the plate chiller was a pain.


I also figured I would post my inventory/Bill of Materials (attached) since it might help someone else get going on their build. I think everything is up to date, but i did make some last minute changes so if you have questions on the list, please feel free to PM me. I also couldn't attache the excel format, so if you need that, just let me know. The list in PDF will need to be zoomed.

Video coming on the next brew day - I didn't want to record the inaugural voyage just in case it went to hell. lol.

View attachment Single Tier Brew Hardware.pdf

 

[JonW]

Good bill of materials. I think it shocks people sometimes to see all the pieces lined out with a total price.

 

[bsomogyi]

Yep. $7.95 for a hose barb, but when you need 16 of them it is draw dropping how quick the expenses tally up. I didn't think it would be as expensive as it turned out. Once I started my plan and tallying up the parts on paper, the completion date got further and further away. Lol.

 

[dieden187]

Stand is welded and cleaned up.

Can I just say that that stand is freaking gorgeous....!