Deep Six Brewing System - v2.0

[ThickHead]

Here is a photo looking down into the HEX/HLT. The stirrer is down near bottom of the heating element and has just enough force to break the surface tension of the water.

Excellent images and thanks for the HLT stirrer thread link, together they answered every question I had (in regard to the stirrer).

However, everytime I see a picture of your rig from a new angle I seem to have more questions. The pump to the left of your HLT behind your touch screen...what are you pumping with that? Am I missing something?

 

[John Beere]

Excellent images and thanks for the HLT stirrer thread link, together they answered every question I had (in regard to the stirrer).

However, everytime I see a picture of your rig from a new angle I seem to have more questions. The pump to the left of your HLT behind your touch screen...what are you pumping with that? Am I missing something?

No pumps were hidden in the making of this rig. It was just sitting there as I had taken it off to paint the stand... heh

 

[ThickHead]

No pumps were hidden in the making of this rig. It was just sitting there as I had taken it off to paint the stand... heh

Thanks for the clarification...I was scratching my head there for a minute.

 

[ThickHead]

JB

Have you ever given thought to plumbing a "whirlpool effect" using a small external pump rather than the fan to circulate your HLT? I am interested in your thoughts on the matter even if you have not.

 

[korndog]

Very nice work here. I don't know how I missed this thread earlier. If I recall correctly, you pump into a separate boil kettle, but I would be interested in varying this project for a two kettle system. Have you given any thought to cross circulation flow control and monitoring? How would electric elements play out in such a configuration vis-a-vis scorch control, etc.? Obviously it would require two pumps, but I wonder if the HLT with HERMS can be used for kettle/Cooling functions. Additionally, the stirrer could be beefed up to be a whirlpooler with a stainless agitator like a milk frother.

Agree, the GUI looks very nice.

 

[JeffNYC]

Any thought of putting together a parts list and instructions like the Brutus 10?

 

[John Beere]

JB

Have you ever given thought to plumbing a "whirlpool effect" using a small external pump rather than the fan to circulate your HLT? I am interested in your thoughts on the matter even if you have not.

I did think about that, but the gear motor and stir stick were cheaper than another march pump...

 

[John Beere]

OK... for the first time in over a month, I have some time to myself - heading out to put my updated rig through it's inaugural run! I'm just going to do something simple but will do a step mash anyway just to try it out. I'll see about taking some video of the system in action and post it later on today...

 

[talleymonster]

Yes JB, video would be swell.

 

[ThickHead]

I did think about that, but the gear motor and stir stick were cheaper than another march pump...

I am currently working on a completely overkill HLT/HEX design that will include an externally plumbed, multi-jet circulation system. It will be a fun project. But yeah, from a cost standpoint, there are definately more economical solutions.

 

[John Beere]

Part #1

[youtube]olzxn-SBB_0[/youtube]

 

[John Beere]

Part #2

[youtube]OspNTw4oi3Q[/youtube]

 

[John Beere]

Part #3

[youtube]iU4kjEjYHYw[/youtube]

 

[John Beere]

Part #4

[youtube]ibaJsyV_CRg[/youtube]

 

[John Beere]

Yeah, I'm no cinematographer and I don't think anyone will be calling me up to do voiceovers, but I think the videos get the overall point of my rig across...

 

[drost]

ALL that equipment and you're using BUBBLE WRAP for a lid!?!

Just kidding, the system looks great! Nice job!

 

[korndog]

Great videos. Have you considered a tee coming off the Therminator with a dial thermometer screwed into it?

KD

 

[ThickHead]

1 Tier, 2 Keggle, single pump HERMS - $400.00

Touch Screen PID + automation software - $500.00

Bubble Wrap MLT Lid - Priceless

 

[kladue]

Outstanding job there, how long will you be able to resist the impulse to expand and improve this system.

 

[ThickHead]

Outstanding job there, how long will you be able to resist the impulse to expand and improve this system.

I am working on him to replace that HLT/HEX recirculation system. Which btw probably works fine, but pales in the shadow of the rest of that system. I'm thinking a 4-jet direct draw/return whirlpool set-up with a small manifold and a march pump. You know you want to do it!

 

[Beer_Pirate]

I am still new to the whole brewing world, and am already becoming more addicted by the day. Having seen this setup for the first time ever, I am a combination of baffled, surprised, amazed, excited and scared because of that amazing setup. You've already received several cheers for your work... I'm just going to add to that.

great job, I can only dream of being that innovative with my brewing.

 

[John Beere]

Hey now, bubblewrap is some badass stuff! I had to fight my boys for that piece... heh. I'll get some proper lids in due time...

Korndog, I bought a thrumometer to put on the backside of the therminator but haven't put it in place yet due to it using 3/8" hose barbs and everything else in my setup is 1/2". For now, after the system is primed, I just run it as slow as it will go, which brings it all the way down to the same temp as the tap water.

And as far as further upgrading my system - heh - I don't believe it will ever be exactly done. But I will say after talking with Kladue, Yuri, and BrewPastor and picking up the two 30 gallon steam kettles, I'm already toying with the idea of a one barrel system powered by steam... someday. heh

 

[korndog]

Korndog, I bought a thrumometer to put on the backside of the therminator but haven't put it in place yet due to it using 3/8" hose barbs and everything else in my setup is 1/2". For now, after the system is primed, I just run it as slow as it will go, which brings it all the way down to the same temp as the tap water.

Yeah, my thrumometer is sitting in a corner too. I ended up using a 1/2" SS tee and screwed a dial thermo, into it.

 

[JVD_X]

first .... This is amazing. Very cool.

I would like to suggest something for safety. What about adding some moisture sensors to look out for that short? While I realize you are gfci out the yang, the moisture sensors like we use in marine environments for electronics will catch a leak before it becomes an issue.

Also I thought it worth mentioning that anyone building something like this needs to be sure to add drip-loops to their lines.

 

[John Beere]

Yeah, I am still working on the "safety" side of the project... not dismissing its importance - but I do have a master "oh sh!t" switch that kills everything already in place. I hadn't brewed in forever it seemed due to all this personal crap I have going on and decided to chanced it. I'll look into those moisture sensors you mentioned.

Oh another note, I forgot to mention that I hit 92% efficiency on that batch yesterday. I had always got around 80% with my previous setup. Specifically, I doughed-in at 104 and held it for 20 minutes for the acid rest; then 126 for 20 minutes for the Protein Rest; then 152 for 60 minutes for the Saccharification rest; then 170 for Mash out.

 

[Jonnio]

Yeah, I am still working on the "safety" side of the project... not dismissing its importance - but I do have a master "oh sh!t" switch that kills everything already in place. I hadn't brewed in forever it seemed due to all this personal crap I have going on and decided to chanced it. I'll look into those moisture sensors you mentioned.

Oh another note, I forgot to mention that I hit 92% efficiency on that batch yesterday. I had always got around 80% with my previous setup. Specifically, I doughed-in at 104 and held it for 20 minutes for the acid rest; then 126 for 20 minutes for the Protein Rest; then 152 for 60 minutes for the Saccharification rest; then 170 for Mash out.

Not bad, but still 8% to go

 

[korndog]

Oh another note, I forgot to mention that I hit 92% efficiency on that batch yesterday. I had always got around 80% with my previous setup. Specifically, I doughed-in at 104 and held it for 20 minutes for the acid rest; then 126 for 20 minutes for the Protein Rest; then 152 for 60 minutes for the Saccharification rest; then 170 for Mash out.

Gosh, sorry to hear that. Do you think the setup is responsible for that piss-poor efficiency? Perhaps you should take up a new hobby.

I hate show-offs! j/k

 

[JVD_X]

Gosh, sorry to hear that. Do you think the setup is responsible for that piss-poor efficiency? Perhaps you should take up a new hobby.

I hate show-offs! j/k

Yea... it's PROBABLY all tannins and husk Better dump the wort down the drain.

 

[WBC]

You have out done yourself Gabe. All the guys that see this will want automation if they are really into brewing but they have to realize that there is a lot of work to be done on this even though you have a working version. This reminds me of working in the medical plastics production line as we had touch screen controls and they could tell you anything you wanted to know like the percentage of errors for any station to graphs of any process, temperatures etc. I'm sure you want to know the temperature after the chiller and other items as well but us who are the onlookers have to wait until you have the time to do all that is needed. Again I want to say congratulations on an awesome system.

 

[BrewBeemer]

I had an issue last night that I didn't have a chance to look at until I started to re-test this AM - the circuit for the 220v heating element was not turning off at the relay when it was supposed to... the LED on the relay would toggle off, but the power wouldn't. After asking around (thanks kladue), my hunch of what was causing it turned out to be right - the relay was getting too hot.

So I did what any good DIYer / Modder would do on a Sunday night when there wasn't anywhere to go buy a heatsink - I scavenged. I ended up disassembling a small 12v fridge that was powered by a peltier cooler. After removing the peltier cooler and hacking around, turned out to be a perfect fit - even the bolt pattern matched up - although it isn't the prettiest thing. It is pretty much hidden from the front of my rig, so I'm OK with it.

I'm running one last test with it now that everything has been reassembled and it is working great. Thank God I didn't ruin that relay - that would have been several days wait to replace...

Here's a photo:

I was asking myself after reading your # 2 post reply after seeing the picture you had with all six SSR's in a tight group this producing a lot of heat, seems you found this out. I recall every SSR available on the net always had a large heat sink recommended next to it. A oversized heat sink on a SSR operating near its maximum amperage output will make it live longer than the minimum heatsink for the SSR used. I replaced many VFD units that failed due to being operated in overly high air temperture conditions.