Dirt cheap RIMS heater

[alphaomega]

Like a loosely fitted SS spring along the ID of the tube so it can easily be pulled and cleaned. Just my $0.02

This is a really good idea. I'm thinking that finding a spring like that may be difficult, but winding it yourself from SS wire around a pipe of slightly smaller diameter than the cartridge wouldn't be that hard.

 

[PlexVector]

This is a really good idea. I'm thinking that finding a spring like that may be difficult, but winding it yourself from SS wire around a pipe of slightly smaller diameter than the cartridge wouldn't be that hard.

Copper wire like some folks use in cross flow chillers would work and may be cheaper and more easily attained.

 

[mattd2]

...

BTW I am stepping up the wattage and size /length of my elements in small increments and brewing with each one to gather real world experience on what does and doesnt work well since I also lack the knowledge and confidence to do and trust in any math formulas pertaining to this... sometimes (not always) whats on paper doesnt have the same real world effects and one would gather.

I agree, the math will only get you to a closer starting point (or will allow you to rule it out as unfeasable before spending money). Even with the best mathematical models you still need real world testing to confirm that model.

 

[augiedoggy]

well the longer and more powerful element made a large difference... I get a consistent rise of 2 degrees per minute when testing by going from 72 degrees to 152 with about 5 gallons of water but now the pid needs to be tuned..

I brewed the other day and I noticed the temps kept fluctuating about 4 degrees up and down once the setpoint was met as the pid kept under and overshooting... I'm running an autotune now to correct the situation. I had the "D" setting turned off on the pid and am sure that had a lot to do with it.

 

[augiedoggy]

autotuning the pid made all the difference.... holds temps steady withing one degree variation now... honestly the temp seemed more consistent with the smaller element but step mashing wasnt practical and it would take for ever to recover if I lost too much heat during dough in...
I dont think one degree will make a difference anyway.

 

[Freskhu]

autotuning the pid made all the difference.... holds temps steady withing one degree variation now... honestly the temp seemed more consistent with the smaller element but step mashing wasnt practical and it would take for ever to recover if I lost too much heat during dough in...
I dont think one degree will make a difference anyway.

how do you mean by autotuning?
Thank you

 

[augiedoggy]

how do you mean by autotuning?
Thank you

in the instructions there directions to hit a button for a couple seconds and then the led starts flashing... it will then use the pid formulas to develop a "routine" to best reach and maintain the setpoint for that particular load... so if you always brew 5 gallons you would run the autotune with the same amount of liquid as you would normally brew with then it remembers these values and is able to reach and hold temps more accurately next time..

 

[Freskhu]

ok thank you

 

[Freskhu]

I got an heater of 3000 watt, the normal ones. I was thinking about using with a 200mm SS tube. Its to much? Its better to use a 1kheater with 20mm tube?
I want to do mash step
Thanks

 

[Freskhu]

The heating element i got
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Water-Heate...55?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2c9b8616c3

 

[stever1000]

Lots of good information here... adding this to my list too