Control Panel Suggestion/Advice

[PacificNWBrewer]

Hello all,

So I wanna build a Kal clone and need some advice. I want to go with a lite version so here are my requirements.

1) use push button illuminated switches where possible.
2) only one element on at a time.
3) use the BK PID to monitor the MLT while mashing. I'll have extra temp probes to switch out. I don't mind moving temp cord plugs.
4) have a light illuminate while the element is on
5) turn on alarm if needed

I made a mockup of what I'm looking for. Any suggestion would be great!

Question (#4) can a push button turn on a PID and light up if the element is on?


Thanks for the help!
D

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

Take a look at my panel - very similar. If you're looking to minimize, here are some suggestions.
1 - Smart, that's what I did.
3 - Smart again, reduces 1 PID.
4 - If you're really looking to reduce space, the PID does have a little green led on it that lights up with the element is being fired. You can definitely wire up the LED in the push button to only come on when the element is firing, if you wanted. The light up push buttons have two terminals for the LEDs that you can wire to anything you want, so they're exactly the same as having a switch and a separate LED, they're just in the same case.

You could reduce space even more by getting the SWA-2451 PIDs - they have an integrated timer. You can't use the timer while in manual mode, but you're really only going to use manual on the BK, so you could use the HLT timer while boiling. You'd reduce one PID and one Alarm switch.

If you _REALLY_ wanted to cut space, drop the power on LED too - you'll know when the power is on because the PIDs all light up. If they're dark, it's pretty clear you have no power (or you wired something wrong).

Good luck!
-Kevin