CptMidway's E-Herms Build!

[CptMidway]

So after spending months (years?) drooling of Kal's system and other's here on HBT, I finally took the plunge and decided to build my own system - 30a PID.
I spent months researching pricing (Kal vs. Ebrew vs buying seperate) as well as how to wire 220v in my garage. I finally came to the conclusion that although I may be able to save a few bucks on the panel items, the punches and other tools for cutting the panel would bump it over what it would cost to purchase it from Ryan at Ebrewsupply with all the holes cut.

First thing I ordered was the Blichmann kettles, I bought scratch and dents from Great Fermentations. Early Christmas present for me!

What's in the boooooooxxxxx? /Seven

So while I placed my order from Ryan for a 30a PID panel, I decided to start on my brew stand. I went off of Kal's design.
Preassembled

All cut up and ready for sanding.

Rain in Bako, WTF?

Stained

First coat of Polyurethane

2nd coat

Letting it dry

It's arrived!!!

Time to work on it.

Primer Time!

Time for paint!

Wiring time

Coming together

All done!

Spa Panel time - Luckily my father left me a greenlee punch which fit the outlet perfectly.

Panel mounted

It's ALIVE! AAALLLIIIVVVEEE!

Just placed my order for the rest of the items I need from Brewhardware, StainlessBrewing and Bargainfittings.
I'll continue with pics and info as parts arrive.

 

[spkguitar]

Sweet build. Congrats!

 

[homebrew57]

awesome build so far!

 

[CptMidway]

Just got the notice my Volt and Amp meter tags have arrived along with the 2pc valves I ordered from Bargainfittings. Now I just need my orders from Bobby and StainlessBrewing to ship.

I'm really getting anxious to brew on this!

 

[CptMidway]

Elements, valves, camlock fittings along with Volt and Amp tags.

Better pic of the wiring and spa panel.

 

[ryanelsn]

Awesome build!

 

[augiedoggy]

That is a very nice and clean build.. I wish I was that organized..

Those look like the ball valves I used to use.. Not sure if they are but I found the opening was very restrictive inside even with my small 12 and 24v pumps I noticed a difference when going to bigger ones.

 

[CptMidway]

Thanks man! These look OK, thanks for the heads up though. Im out in the garage working so ran over to check as soon as I read your post.

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[CptMidway]

Got my little pump stand set up. Just waiting on my center pump and other stuff to arrive from BrewHardware.

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[homebrewdude76]

What method are you using to connect the elements to the pot?

 

[CptMidway]

Brewhardware 1.5" TC with a Silver Solder Ferrule.

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/etc4s.htm

 

[homebrewdude76]

No issues with element clearance? I heard the 1.5" had that issue. I was planning on 2"

 

[augiedoggy]

No issues with element clearance? I heard the 1.5" had that issue. I was planning on 2"

It depends on how long the the 1.5 tc adapter is. Some work fine.

 

[CptMidway]

I spoke with Bobby about this and he suggested the 1.5", so that what I went with. I'll double check that the elements go through the ferrule before soldering though.

 

[CptMidway]

Finished up the kettles last weekend and brewed a batch of beer finally!

I only took pics of the Silver soldering of the BK element ferrule as the HLT looks like a blind man did it. It holds water, but looks horrible. haha.

The brew process wasn't too bad, I still need work on my fly sparging skills, but I'll get there. All in all it works great and am looking forward to brewing beer with thing thing.

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[CptMidway]

I was really impressed with how clear the beer was. This is the OG reading, 1.064. Should make for a solid IPA.

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[bbohanon]

Looks awesome and I am looking foward to my pilot e-brew on my new system as well hopefully sometime in April if everything goes as planned..I hope it turns out as good as yours did!
Quick question, how,long did it take you to build the bench once you had all the mats? I have all the lumber but am wondering what the build time for it was for you(minus the finishing/staining portion)?
Great job!

 

[CptMidway]

It took a weekend to build the bench. It wasn't too bad and I'm not a fast worker. With the right tools it could be built in a day.

 

[homebrewdude76]

Any comments on the time required to heat water? Did it meet expectations? Wish it was faster?

 

[CptMidway]

Any comments on the time required to heat water? Did it meet expectations? Wish it was faster?

Our groundwater our here in CA isn't that cold, so getting it up to 150+ wasn't too bad.

When I mashed out it took about as long as Kal mentions (~15-20min).

For the BK, my first batch was for 5 gal so it got up to boil in a decent amount of time. Overall I'm pretty happy with the setup.

 

[wyowolf]

Very nice!! I assume this is a HERMS system? I didnt see the coil. I am also getting ready to go all electric and just trying to decide which system to use.

If you could share approx costs that would be great, esp for the panel setup.

 

[CptMidway]

Very nice!! I assume this is a HERMS system? I didnt see the coil. I am also getting ready to go all electric and just trying to decide which system to use.

If you could share approx costs that would be great, esp for the panel setup.

Yup! It's a HERMs system. I've been meaning to put together costs on it. I'll work on a spreadsheet and post it up shortly.

 

[CptMidway]

I think I have everything included in here that pertains to the actual build itself.

Doesn't include the spa panel, 30a breaker, romex wire for the 220, or the fittings and cable for the elements.

I'd say all in all it was about $3500 on the build, not including the table that I built.

Hope this helps some, if you have any other questions just ask!

John

View attachment Brew System Build.xml

 

[TungstenBeer]

I love the whirlpool arm setup! Question - is there any reason you don't fill the BK with mash runnings through there? Just curious because that's what my plan is.

 

[CptMidway]

I thought about it and actually will be trying it this weekend when I brew.