Eighty2Fifty1
Well-Known Member
So to pass the time on deployment, I've been planning my electric rig. I plan on slowly piecing it together throughout the next year, and hopefully be brewing on it before next deployment. I started off by wanting to build a Kal clone, but after I started pricing everything out, I decided to start stripping it down and simplifying everything. So here we go.
-I don't plan on changing the basic principle and layout of the HERMS as Kal has it set up. I'm going to, however, go with keggles and a Jaybird false bottom instead of the gucci Blichmann gear.
-I'm definitely gonna build my own counterflow chiller. The Chillus Convolutus is awesome, but way too expensive for this guy.
-I was thinking of changing to the camlock style of quick disconnect fittings. I'm sure it'll save me a few bucks, if only I could remember what website I found them on.
The controller is where I plan to really differ. I'll keep the PID for the hot liquor tank, but I was thinking of just deleting the one for the mash tun and using an analog thermometer like the Blichmann BrewMometer in the outlet line. I plan on using a PWM for the boil kettle, and instead of the mechanical relays for the heating elements, I was thinking about a simple DPDT switch to feed either SSR. I also plan on getting rid of the timer and alarm features of Kal's system. They are really cool, but I don't think they're strictly necessary. After pricing the control panel components out, I'm estimating about $600-650. Total cost of the project about $2K. Attached is the schematic I had in mind.
-I don't plan on changing the basic principle and layout of the HERMS as Kal has it set up. I'm going to, however, go with keggles and a Jaybird false bottom instead of the gucci Blichmann gear.
-I'm definitely gonna build my own counterflow chiller. The Chillus Convolutus is awesome, but way too expensive for this guy.
-I was thinking of changing to the camlock style of quick disconnect fittings. I'm sure it'll save me a few bucks, if only I could remember what website I found them on.
The controller is where I plan to really differ. I'll keep the PID for the hot liquor tank, but I was thinking of just deleting the one for the mash tun and using an analog thermometer like the Blichmann BrewMometer in the outlet line. I plan on using a PWM for the boil kettle, and instead of the mechanical relays for the heating elements, I was thinking about a simple DPDT switch to feed either SSR. I also plan on getting rid of the timer and alarm features of Kal's system. They are really cool, but I don't think they're strictly necessary. After pricing the control panel components out, I'm estimating about $600-650. Total cost of the project about $2K. Attached is the schematic I had in mind.