Electric Brewery Thread (240 V, 3 Element, 3 PID, 2 Pumps)

[lashack]

I wanted to share my electric brewery setup I built recently and contribute back to the the community. Here is a link to all the images in an album.

To give some background, I started brewing with propane and slowly built out different control panels as my system grew. This is my 3rd version of my electric brewery. Big thanks to @doug293cz and @Bobby_M for their help over the years along with everyone else from the community! Here are some images from my progression and setup previously.

Here is the new setup with 3 heating elements and 3 PIDs.
It includes
- 5500 Watt Brew Kettle Element (240 V)
- 1600 Watt MLT/RIMS tube Element (120 V)
- 1650 Watt HLT Element (120 V)
- 3 PID, 3 SSR, 3 contactors.
- 2 Pumps (120 V)
- 240 V power in
- 30 AMP GFCI breaker

 

[lashack]

Updates: Upgraded the 2 Inkbird PIDs to Auber PIDs.

- MLT is using the Auber EZ Boil DSPR-120.
- HLT is using the newly released DSPR-5 (recently released in July 2024).
- BK is using the Auber EZ Boil DSPR-120.

 

[Broken Crow]

Very nice and neat looking rig!
I haven't really kept myself up to date on Aubers product line since I bought my DSPR320 (which I still haven't fully assembled ). Since budding DIY electric brewers are gonna read this thread, as well as those of us who just like to keep our knowledge up to date, do you feel like like telling us about this new DSPR-5 and why you chose to switch out?

 

[lashack]

Very nice and neat looking rig!
I haven't really kept myself up to date on Aubers product line since I bought my DSPR320 (which I still haven't fully assembled ). Since budding DIY electric brewers are gonna read this thread, as well as those of us who just like to keep our knowledge up to date, do you feel like like telling us about this new DSPR-5 and why you chose to switch out?

I am new myself to using the Auber products but really like the interface and responsiveness of the DSPR-120 product. I am using DSPR-120 one for the RIMS tube in my MLT and one for my BK. I really like the knob feature and wanted all 3 of my PID controllers to have knobs for inputs.

In my setup, my HLT is a basic vessel and all I need it to do is heat water up to a certain temp. and hold that temp. until I am ready to use the HLT water. When I was researching which PID to use, I felt like the DSPR-120 didn't make sense using since it's main two features are using for mashing and boiling. Could I have used it for my HLT? Of course. I decided to go with the DSPR-5 because reading it's features just made sense on what the application I needed it for.

Here are the main features from the Auber website.

Main Features:

• Versatile Applications: Designed for various applications such as BBQ/grill, meat smoking, coffee roasting, Sous-Vide cooking, water-bath control and powder coating oven.
• Intuitive Set Value (SV) Adjustment: Effortlessly adjust the set value using a rotary knob for quick and convenient control.
• Seamless Control Mode Transition: Easily switch between auto control mode (with a target temperature) and manual control mode (user adjusting power percentage).
• Wide Sensor Compatibility: Accept type K thermocouple, PT100 RTD, PT1000 RTD, and 50K NTC thermistor.
• User-Friendly Interface: A straightforward and user-friendly interface makes it simple to navigate and operate the device.
• Fail-Safe Output: In the event of sensor failure, the device allows for manual control output, ensuring continuous operation.
• Countdown Timer Functionality: Includes a built-in countdown timer to assist with time-sensitive cooking processes and ensure precise timing.
• Auto-tune Feature: Similar as Auber other PID controllers, DSPR-5 has an auto-tune feature.

Here are the features of the recently released DSPR-5: https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1079

One thing to note is that the DSPR-5 is a true PID. Unlike the DSPR-120 which doesn't actually use PID features instead is smart and enhanced to do temp. controlling for mashing and boiling without using PID.

 

[Brewtah1]

This is amazing. Thank you for sharing this. How much did it cost for the electrical hardware?

 

[lashack]

If I included heating elements, tools, and all the electrical components the total cost would be around $1,000. Plus or minus couple of hundred dollars depending on what tools someone already has. If you do not include the heating elements and just the electrical components in the electrical panel, the cost would be closer to $600.

This is amazing. Thank you for sharing this. How much did it cost for the electrical hardware?

 

[Bobby_M]

Having used the DSPR-120 for a long time (and now the DSPR-320), I don't find any compelling reason why the DSPR-5 would bring any advantage.

 

[doug293cz]

Having used the DSPR-120 for a long time (and now the DSPR-320), I don't find any compelling reason why the DSPR-5 would bring any advantage.

The only thing the 5 offers over the 120, as far as I can tell, is multiple temp sensor types can be used. Not sure being a true PID is an advantage over the 120, since the 120 seems to be able to ramp and hold temps with minimal over/under shoot without any tuning. Also, if the 5 is a simple PWM output verses the pulse count modulation of the 120, that is a disadvantage. (I'll admit to not having read the manual yet tho.)

Update: I forgot that the DSPR-5 also has a built in timer function. It also appears to offer both PWM and pulse count modulation (Auber calls it burst mode.)

Brew on

 

[Bobby_M]

So basically the 5 is the 120 with the added ability to hard code the PID parameters. Maybe someone would want that but I'd advise against it.

Whatever they did to make the 120/320 not need it is mystical, and superb.

 

[jcav]

Excellent job!

John

 

[Jmspears]

Does anyone use any of the Auber (or any other brand) PID with WiFi functionality? If so, how is it? I’m thinking about building an electric setup and would like to be able to control the whole brewery via a dedicated iPad.