eHERMS build thread

[Rjppunk]

Bit of a ways off on the total build since I'm going piece by piece but I might as well start here. The plan is to have an upside down keg for the mash tun, keggle HLT with stainless steel HERMS and a 5000 watt electric burner. Still havent decided on pumps yet, either buying chugger pumps or building peristaltic pumps.




Up on deck is the electric brew keggle.


Prices/links:
1/2 keg from Switchback brewery: $30
Weldless bulkhead and SS ball valve: $20 shipped http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Weldless-Bulkhead-Stainless-Steel/dp/B00JT03TGE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416620149&sr=8-2&keywords=weldless+stainless+steel+ball+valve
Weldless sight glass with thermometer: 55.95 shipped http://weldlessfittings.com/kettlefittings.html
Petra 90-1024 3-Wire Dryer Cord, 6-Feet: 8.95 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009W3PA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
AGPtek Stainless Steel PT100 RTD Thermistor Sensor Probe (Temperature Rang: -20~420°C): $9.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YP1D04/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Camco 02962/02963 5500W 240V Screw-In Lime Life Ripple Water Heater Element - Ultra Low Watt Density: $25.56
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPG4LI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


To be ordered:
quite a bit


Current cost: 150.45


Pics will be posted when I have them.

 

[Rjppunk]

 

[Rjppunk]

Ooooh also worth noting we have a plc allen bradley micrologix 1000 kicking around from an old job so we'll be using that. But I'll post more about it when I get to that part.

 

[Brettomomyces]

That's a really nice and clean cut on the keggle, what did you use?

 

[Rjppunk]

My roommate (Mechanical engineer) is doing the build with me and used a 1/32" cut off wheel on an air grinder and free handed it with a circle template line.

 

[Brettomomyces]

Nice, my harbor freight angle grinder made a much bigger mess. Obviously too late for that guy, but have you considered going upside down on all the kegs instead of the HLT? I have a 1 tier 3 keggle, all upside down and I love it so much compared to dip tubes.

 

[Rjppunk]

Going to go upside down for the mash tun

 

[homebrew57]

subscribed

 

[Rjppunk]

Thanksgiving made me a bit unproductive, but I did manage to scout a few breweries and cost estimate my HLT. Bad news is Longtrail, Fowely Brothers, Drop In, Otter Creek, and Fiddlehead breweries aren't selling kegs. Good news is they do serve tasty beer and I got my VT passport stamps from them. Plan on checking out Magic Hat to source the other 2 used kegs. Below is a current HLT parts list.


HLT Parts List:
HERMS Coil:61.98 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GPB3UB4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Ferrules: 5.38 http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-034-NPT...teel-304-/271448477343?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
Keg: 30
Heat Element: 25.56 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPG4LI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Temperature Probe: 9.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YP1D04/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Sight Glass and Temp: 55.95 http://weldlessfittings.com/kettlefittings.html
Ball Valve and Bulkhead: 23.5 http://weldlessfittings.com/kettlefittings.html
Dryer cord: 8.95 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009W3PA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Total 3/8" HERMS: 221.31

1/2" HERMS: 79.49 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WLFTC2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Ferrules: 7.98 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-NPTx12M...893?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417f1ecbad


Total 1/2" HERMS: 241.42



Notes:
I'm using weldlessfittings.com for my ball valve because the 20$ one I found on amazon is no longer there and the sight tube pairs shipping with it.

Trying to keep this build as much stainless steel as possible

Still in the air between the 3/8" and 1/2" coil but I haven't decided to check out the math on flow and pumps.

 

[Rjppunk]

Having trouble sourcing 2 more kegs. I think I might luck out with Lost Nation brewery (fingers crossed. For other Vermonters here's a list of where I tried:

Drop-in: Does not sell
Fiddlehead: Repairs their own, does not sell
Longtrail: Engineer wasn't on site, need to email to check but I'm no longer in the area.
Magichat: Leases their kegs, does not sell
Otter Creek: Does not sell them
Switchback: Sells broken kegs for 30$ but I bought the last one they had, may recheck since it's been a while.

 

[vinylicious]

I've got a bunch of the parts you are looking for. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Rjppunk]

Only caveat is I like to build my own stuff. Half of the fun in this hobby for me thanks for the offer though.