DIY Controller Build

[EmpiricalBrewer]

I am currently sourcing parts to build an e-biab similar to that of the High Gravity system. How much do you think I can build something like their controller for? It doesn't need to look fancy, just have the same functionality. For the record I have no experience building something like this. Should I save the frustration and just buy one already made? I am not afraid of the challenge.

 

[BrunDog]

Depends how much you value your time and how much the exercise means to you. Generally buying is much less costly than designing/building/testing a one-off, especially if you need to learn the skills. But if you would like to learn, take your time, be willing to be confused/frustrated on occasion, and save a buck or two on paper, go for it.

 

[augiedoggy]

I am currently sourcing parts to build an e-biab similar to that of the High Gravity system. How much do you think I can build something like their controller for? It doesn't need to look fancy, just have the same functionality. For the record I have no experience building something like this. Should I save the frustration and just buy one already made? I am not afraid of the challenge.

When I priced everything out including the probe it was about $150
I recommend using a mypin TD4 and ditching the knob...the td4 has an easy to use manual pwm mode built in.. I would also add an alarm for the extra $3, and use some better $3 switches for longer life.

You can save some money by using rated aviation or speaking objections instead of the more expensive nema connections but that personal choice... If you do this you can bring the cost down to about $100

 

[BrunDog]

Doggy u start drinking early today? [emoji106]

 

[augiedoggy]

Doggy u start drinking early today? [emoji106]

Lol why do you say that?
I built my 3 pid panel with pump and timer control for under $300...

OK once I break it down its closer to $200- 225 with the probe and components high gravity uses
The high gravity panel he linked has a $47 pid, 2-50 cent switches. $20 for the ssvr & knob, $10 for the ssr, $6 for the heat sink, $10 for the contractor, $12 for the enclosure, $30 for the probe, $20-30 for the 30amp outlet and $20 for the plug,$1 for the 120vpump outlet ... Then you have the cost of the wire and power cord...

 

[BrunDog]

Your post had a bunch of fat fingers... methinks you edited some... but still where would one buy speaking objections and how are they wired?

 

[steveoatley]

augiedoggy has slammed the High Gravity Brewing system in SEVERAL other threads

even though he has not purchased one himself

AugieDoggy - you should really start making Controllers of your own, better parts at a better price, and the Brewing world will beat a path to your door.

EmpiricalBrewer:

my 2 cents - Buy the controller you need - spend your time Brewing not learning all the Electrical mumbo jumbo needed to assemble a controller yourself, I have heard that called - Stepping over Dollars to pick up Pennies.

my 2 cents and another $1.57 will get you a cup of coffee at McD's
( advice is worth what yo pay for it )

S

 

[augiedoggy]

Your post had a bunch of fat fingers... methinks you edited some... but still where would one buy speaking objections and how are they wired?

Yeah my tablet I'm using at my cabin sucks

 

[augiedoggy]

augiedoggy has slammed the High Gravity Brewing system in SEVERAL other threads

even though he has not purchased one himself

AugieDoggy - you should really start making Controllers of your own, better parts at a better price, and the Brewing world will beat a path to your door.

EmpiricalBrewer:

my 2 cents - Buy the controller you need - spend your time Brewing not learning all the Electrical mumbo jumbo needed to assemble a controller yourself, I have heard that called - Stepping over Dollars to pick up Pennies.

my 2 cents and another $1.57 will get you a cup of coffee at McD's
( advice is worth what yo pay for it )

S

Look man no one has slammed anything in this thread. chill out your the only one coming here and being negative and opinionated about DIY being waste of time because you chose to buy yours instead.
I Answered the ops question plain and simple... Maybe you can do a price breakdown yourself self since you have one?
I'm curious to see what kind of price you would come up with since you seem to think I'm being untruthful here about something.
I started my own thread to share links to where I got my components to build mine a couple years ago...I'm not trying to profit off or sell anyone anything.
You can pay whatever you want for it but t doesn't make the sum of its components and better or worse. I think the OP gets that and that's why he started this thread.

Many would agree that home brewing is a lot like stepping over dollars to pick up dimes.... In many cases it doesn't make financial sense either but some enjoy learning new things like building their own equipment.. Just as they do brewing instead of saving money and buying it.

 

[steveoatley]

I stand by my statement - I answered the OP's question - and gave you a Business idea

OP's statement - "For the record I have no experience building something like this. Should I save the frustration and just buy one already made?"

EmpiricalBrewer:

my 2 cents - Buy the controller you need - spend your time Brewing not learning all the Electrical mumbo jumbo needed to assemble a controller yourself,
I have heard that called - Stepping over Dollars to pick up Pennies.

And I was not the only one with that sediment - BrunDog "Generally buying is much less costly than designing/building/testing a one-off, especially if you need to learn the skills."

my 2 cents and another $1.57 will get you a cup of coffee at McD's
( advice is worth what yo pay for it )

S

 

[augiedoggy]

I stand by my statement - I answered the OP's question - and gave you a Business idea

OP's statement - "For the record I have no experience building something like this. Should I save the frustration and just buy one already made?"

EmpiricalBrewer:

my 2 cents - Buy the controller you need - spend your time Brewing not learning all the Electrical mumbo jumbo needed to assemble a controller yourself,
I have heard that called - Stepping over Dollars to pick up Pennies.

And I was not the only one with that sediment - BrunDog "Generally buying is much less costly than designing/building/testing a one-off, especially if you need to learn the skills."

my 2 cents and another $1.57 will get you a cup of coffee at McD's
( advice is worth what yo pay for it )

S

It all depends on the person and whether he is the type to learn and do his own thing or buy things premade... Again its no different than the flack I get from somepeople that think im silly to waste my time brewing my own beer vs just going out and buying professionally made beer and not messing with the "mumbo jumbo" of learning to brew it well myself...

Brundog didnt go out and buy his system .. He built it. He is more qualified to comment on his opinion of how difficult it really may or may not be for some people, just like me since I DO know what these are and how they are made..I didnt know anything about PIDs or contractors prior to building mine and it was still way cheaper and worth it for me to start learneing here on what to do as many many other memebrs here have done.
.. To those people including myself they are not Just some Magic witchcraft box I bought and plugged in to make beer that I'm afraid of... There are a lot a benefits to actually understanding how the thing works and being able to spend the 5 minutes to replace a bad switch or relay vs boxing the thing up and sending it in to some company you hope is still in business when it fails and waiting weeks to get it back..

I was NOT Bashing or putting anything down... I was breaking down what it would cost to build the HG panel and what one could build one with equal functionality for... I'm sorry that seems to piss you off that the components dont add up to anywhere near the cost you paid for yours... Why cant you just be happy with your decision and let others make their own instead of forcing your justifications on people as gospel? you have quoted and brought in comments from older threads more than once to try to make what I may be saying less credible for some reason I attempted to keep my answers straight and factual until you started attacking me about bashing things... I left my personal opinions out of it. If I was wrong in pointing out that the sum of the control panel components are only around $200 bucks then please point out where I was wrong. the last time I priced it out it was without the temp probe that was my bad and I had already corrected myself prior to your remarks.

If I didnt know better I'd say your the one with the personal agenda here? Either that or your High gravities biggest cheer leader?

 

[steveoatley]

OP's statement - "For the record I have no experience building something like this. Should I save the frustration and just buy one already made?"

I didn't say BrunDog bought his system - BrunDog "Generally buying is much less costly than designing/building/testing a one-off, especially if you need to learn the skills."

AD - your finger prints are in every High Gravity Brewing Thread for the past year - (I've read them all)
and in most of them you repeat the same things - you can build it cheaper

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=425681&highlight=augiedoggy&page=4

I have NEVER said you can't build it cheaper
I have NEVER said you can't build it better

I have said in several of the threads - You should build a controller
I have posted in Several of the threads - You seem to have an AXE to grind when it comes to High Gravity Brewing

Can you let a Thread go ? Can you let one get past you?
"thinking of Buying High Gravity Brew controller - who has one ?"
Can you let that pass you by ?

S

 

[Wacki]

I did build my own controller using a little arduino uno, I enjoyed learning how to program it (i do write code in VBA, C#, and use a variety of scripting tools like matlab/R for work, so learning programming was more a matter of syntax for me as opposed to entirely learning something). With all that being said, there are tons of tutorials and sites out there willing to help you, if you want to put in the time. I think it's fun, others may disagree. I do have a hard time justifying paying for three PIDs when a single arduino controller can do the same, and if you buy a knockoff on Amazon an Uno is less than the cost of one PID. (Sainsmart Uno is what I have, like $15-20 I believe)

I will be the first to admit that it can be frustrating at times when testing, but my controller works great for my purposes.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help, let met know!