Electric Bottom Draining, 3 keggle, 2 pump, E-HERMS

[jcc4507fly]

I also use pellet. I do not have the false bottom in my BK. I do however use the stage 3 filter and for me if I do not use the hop bags I end up with a lot of hop in the fermentor.

dmcman73, do you use pellet or whole hop? Does the false bottom in the BK filter out majority of the hop material? Do you recirculate just at the end of the boil? Does the false bottom get plugged up and restrict the flow while you are cooling the wort? Do you use your hop spider every batch?

 

[30Bones]

I also use pellet. I do not have the false bottom in my BK. I do however use the stage 3 filter and for me if I do not use the hop bags I end up with a lot of hop in the fermentor.

dmcman73, do you use pellet or whole hop? Does the false bottom in the BK filter out majority of the hop material? Do you recirculate just at the end of the boil? Does the false bottom get plugged up and restrict the flow while you are cooling the wort? Do you use your hop spider every batch?

I talked to Jaybird about using just the level 3 filter and no false bottom and he said some have gone this route, he still recommends the full FB and level 3 for a bottom drain BK. It's only money right? And they are on sale now

 

[dmcman73]

I also use pellet. I do not have the false bottom in my BK. I do however use the stage 3 filter and for me if I do not use the hop bags I end up with a lot of hop in the fermentor.

dmcman73, do you use pellet or whole hop? Does the false bottom in the BK filter out majority of the hop material? Do you recirculate just at the end of the boil? Does the false bottom get plugged up and restrict the flow while you are cooling the wort? Do you use your hop spider every batch?

I have a flat bottom kettle, not a bottom drain.

But, I use a stainless hop spider in my BK which is 6 inch in diameter and 19 inches tall in a 20 gallon kettle. I use it every time I brew and I use pellets. There is so much room in the hop spider that the hops move around freely in it with the boil.

I got it from here: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php?gclid=CPePs-bD6scCFZcYHwodIAUErQ#6x14hopspider. The mesh is fine and I don't have any hop sediments in my wort in the fermentor. I would skip the false bottom unless your using whole leaf hops. The hop spider won't cause any clogs at all, it just hangs on the side.

 

[jcc4507fly]

That's right. I forgot you had flat bottom BK.

 

[30Bones]

I have a flat bottom kettle, not a bottom drain.

But, I use a stainless hop spider in my BK which is 6 inch in diameter and 19 inches tall in a 20 gallon kettle. I use it every time I brew and I use pellets. There is so much room in the hop spider that the hops move around freely in it with the boil.

I got it from here: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php?gclid=CPePs-bD6scCFZcYHwodIAUErQ#6x14hopspider. The mesh is fine and I don't have any hop sediments in my wort in the fermentor. I would skip the false bottom unless your using whole leaf hops. The hop spider won't cause any clogs at all, it just hangs on the side.

I had one and sold it to a club member. I thought cleaning it out was a PITA. Plus I used an immersion chiller at the time and that made things more difficult. I might try that route this time though. CFC make my previous issue null. I would just need to create a better way to "hang" it from a keggle is all.

I did hate cleaning that damn thing out though. It was almost too fine, mine was 300 micron.

 

[dmcman73]

I had one and sold it to a club member. I thought cleaning it out was a PITA. Plus I used an immersion chiller at the time and that made things more difficult. I might try that route this time though. CFC make my previous issue null. I would just need to create a better way to "hang" it from a keggle is all.

I did hate cleaning that damn thing out though. It was almost too fine, mine was 300 micron.

really? Mine is a 300 micron as well and it isn't a pain to clean at all, probably the easiest thing to clean after a brew day.

I have a CFC as well, I generally let the hop spider drain out as I am cleaning everything else after a brew session. Once I'm done and it's the last thing to clean, the hops are clumped together and pretty dry. Turn it over a bag, give it a few taps on the stainless ring at the bottom (don't tap the screen) and it all comes out in one shot. Then I put it in the sink upside down and spray it with hot water to clear it out. I've had to use a long brush at times but not to scrub the hell out of it.

They sell two versions for a Keggle, check them out here: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/...-bD6scCFZcYHwodIAUErQ#kegglefilteroutsidehook

They also have a 400 Micron option as well.

 

[30Bones]

really? Mine is a 300 micron as well and it isn't a pain to clean at all, probably the easiest thing to clean after a brew day.

I have a CFC as well, I generally let the hop spider drain out as I am cleaning everything else after a brew session. Once I'm done and it's the last thing to clean, the hops are clumped together and pretty dry. Turn it over a bag, give it a few taps on the stainless ring at the bottom (don't tap the screen) and it all comes out in one shot. Then I put it in the sink upside down and spray it with hot water to clear it out. I've had to use a long brush at times but not to scrub the hell out of it.

They sell two versions for a Keggle, check them out here: http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/...-bD6scCFZcYHwodIAUErQ#kegglefilteroutsidehook

They also have a 400 Micron option as well.

Maybe I was jut having a bad brew day or just hate cleanup.....or both

I will keep these in mind, they are cheaper than a jaybird false bottom with all the filters. I am doing a ton of research before I buy things to outfit this build. No rush, I have my cooler MT and 10 gallon HLT/BK to use in the meantime.

 

[AkBrew907]

Looks amazing. Nice job on polishing the kegs, they turned out great.

Any inside shots of the panel? You pretty much replicated the system I want to build after we move

 

[jcc4507fly]

Thanks! Here you are.
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[jcc4507fly]

Making the switch to having hard piped and doing away with silicon hoses. Hopefully the mess that goes with swapping out multiple hoses during any given brew day disappears also!

Front View:
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From below:
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The plan is to continue including more automation. But for now I will finish the task at hand. I'll post more once I continue with the build. Waiting on more parts.

 

[jcc4507fly]

Also got my tv mounted. It can display the BCS during the brew day, Raspberry Pints digital tap list, or cable TV.

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[BrunDog]

Nice! Just make sure the pump can be mounted inverted. I think you can and it looks like you reversed the head, but just FYI.

-BE

 

[jcc4507fly]

Nice! Just make sure the pump can be mounted inverted. I think you can and it looks like you reversed the head, but just FYI.

-BE

Good eye!! I wouldn't think it would matter since it is just a large round magnet inside the pump head that spins, but I will email the manufacturer to be sure. Can you think of a reason it may cause problems?

 

[BrunDog]

Well, there is an oil port, and ventilation ports are designed for particular cooling.

That said, I just looked at Chugger's FAQ and it says you can mount it upside down. So you are good to go!

-BD

 

[jcc4507fly]

Thanks! Saved me some time!

 

[jcc4507fly]

Primed and ready for paint! Thank god for home brew because I hate painting!!!!

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[reynolds5520]

You'll need to dismount, and turn right side up, your pumps for oiling.

From the manual:

The motor should be oiled yearly with 4-5 drops SAE20 weight non-detergent oil, do not
over oil.

Or, if you're careful, it looks like the end cap could be removed from the motor case and reoriented to put the oil port back on top in your configuration. You would need to file an opening in the case to line up with the oil feed.

 

[jcc4507fly]

Perfect. Pumps are installed with unions on both ends for easy maintenance and removal. Sounds like I'll be removing annually for some upkeep maintenance.

 

[jcc4507fly]

A little progress. Almost ready for a leak test. Still waiting on sanitary fittings for HLT/BK return lines. Then I'll be able to measure and order the last few stainless nipples.

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[jcav]

You really are doing an awesome job! I really like how you hard plumbed everything too. Those bottom draining vessels are going be so easy to clean. Wish I had done that when I got mine custom welded. Your getting closer to the end now, lots of luck on the rest of the build!

John

 

[jcc4507fly]

Thanks!!

Frustrating day! Started with one leaky connection, tried to break it down to get to that leaky fitting. Now I'm battling a lot of leaky fittings! It's a been a PITA because I have to remove multiple sections to get to leaky connections. Then new leaks pop up! I ran out of my good Teflon tape and I was just using the cheap stuff that I had on hand. Decided to call it a day and get another roll of good Teflon tomorrow. Hopefully that will help. The good thing is once it's all water tight it will stay that way. Here's to tomorrow. [emoji482]:cheers:

 

[BrunDog]

Starting to look like something! Congrats!

-BD

 

[30Bones]

That is A LOT of plumbing and thought right there. WOW

 

[jcc4507fly]

That is A LOT of plumbing and thought right there. WOW

Yes. I sketched quite a few drawings before the final design. It is setup for CIP and ready for motorized ball valves down the road. I tried to plan it with the end goal in mind.

 

[jcav]

Yes. I sketched quite a few drawings before the final design. It is setup for CIP and ready for motorized ball valves down the road. I tried to plan it with the end goal in mind.

I'd say you nailed it on the plumbing design! It's so clean and tight and doesn't have unnecessary pipes going everywhere with a large footprint like I've seen on other rigs. Nice job!

John

 

[Mountainsax]

Nice rig! Seriously jealous! I'm just starting to put together an eHERMS and this gives me so many ideas.

How did you polish the kegs? They look amazing!

 

[jcc4507fly]

How did you polish the kegs? They look amazing!

Thanks!

Here is a link to a decent tutorial.
https://www.beersyndicate.com/app/Tutorial/Details/17
You can also find videos on YouTube. Ultimately I found a method that worked best for me. Don't rush the 1st steps and make sure you have a uniform finish prior to attempting the finishing polish.

FYI; I bought the polish at Harbor Freight. Lowes no longer carries the finishing disc in my area. However, I was able to find them by calling Gator Grit and they gave me the number of a retailer that sold them. (I can't find my receipt, but if I remember correctly it was a Feed Store in Wisconsin.) I tried many 'other' polishing discs and nothing was effective enough.
Not to be discouraging but, be ready to spend 8+ hours per keg. It is a LOT of vibrating, loud, & messy work. Nothing a little HomeBrew can't fix, though...I learned the hard way that it makes a huge mess in the garage. The polish gets flung all over and is difficult to clean up. I took mine out in the grass, it saved me time during the cleanup and no residue all over in my garage. In all, it is a painful process but I think the results are worth it. Good luck and brew on![emoji482]

 

[augiedoggy]

A little progress. Almost ready for a leak test. Still waiting on sanitary fittings for HLT/BK return lines. Then I'll be able to measure and order the last few stainless nipples.

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That is Sharp! I too wish I had gone with bottom draining kettles..

 

[jcc4507fly]

Thanks @ Augiedoggy

 

[jcc4507fly]

Finally got everything sealed up. Did a heat test and I have no more leaks. I ended up using a thin layer of TFE thread paste along with 3 wraps of the standard Teflon tape. That seemed to do the trick. I bought the paste at my local Ace Hardware for about $2.50. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1447205083.855167.jpg

I chose this stuff because it's safe for use with drinking water and there is NO cure time. Just look for an NSF stamp on the label, this means it's drinking water safe. It is a little messier than just Teflon tape, but I highly recommend using it. It would've saved me a severe headache!