Electric control panel build.

[MrNatural]

I have built 6 different keggles but the first time with a plastic coated keg, what a pain! The rubber on the top is about 3/4" thick.
View attachment 42326

Whoa, I have a couple of those myself, but never got around to messing with them. What technique did you use to cut the top? Guessing the fittings are weldless bulkhead? Any issues with coating exposed to heat?

Nice looking rig.

 

[mux]

Whoa, I have a couple of those myself, but never got around to messing with them. What technique did you use to cut the top? Guessing the fittings are weldless bulkhead? Any issues with coating exposed to heat?

Nice looking rig.

I ran the grinder with a cutoff wheel around the top with my guide to scribe a line. Then I cut out the rubber with a utility knife and pry bar. Once the rubber was off I went back with the grinder with cutoff wheel. I used weldless fittings but will eventually go welded.

 

[MrNatural]

I used weldless fittings but will eventually go welded.

Thanks. Not worried about the plastic crud burning?

 

[mux]

Thanks. Not worried about the plastic crud burning?

I'll cut off 2" or so around the weld area. It might still burn, but I'm not to worried about it.

 

[mux]

Definitely a learning curve on the new system! Keggle mash tuns are totally different than coolers. Guess I'm doing a decoction mash tonight.

 

[mux]

Heating wort.






Temp brewery until the gherms is done.




Old bath fan ventilation.





Brains!

 

[mux]

Ok! The bath fan is not up to the task!

 

[Hoosier-Brewer]

How is the bath fan working for you? I am building a brew room in my basement under the front porch and need to plan some ventilation. I was at HD this afternoon and I think the largest bath fan was around 70 cfm. I was thinking I would need more around 250cfm or better to pull the moisture out. The kitchen hood fans didn't hit near 250 either so maybe I won't need that many cfm's. I am lucky enough to be able to direct vent it out the brick wall.

ETA: I must have hit replay before you posted the bath fan wasn't cutting it and let that window sit open a while, I am watching a movie too.

 

[mux]

How is the bath fan working for you? I am building a brew room in my basement under the front porch and need to plan some ventilation. I was at HD this afternoon and I think the largest bath fan was around 70 cfm. I was thinking I would need more around 250cfm or better to pull the moisture out. The kitchen hood fans didn't hit near 250 either so maybe I won't need that many cfm's. I am lucky enough to be able to direct vent it out the brick wall.

ETA: I must have hit replay before you posted the bath fan wasn't cutting it and let that window sit open a while, I am watching a movie too.

Yeah! The bath fan did nothing. Its not so much the steam as its the condensation, it drips into and around the kettle. Might be an issue after/during chilling. I saw some where some one used a rubbermaid storage tote upside down with an exhaust fan attached- that would work. Maybe hang it with a pitch to help drain the condensation to obe side into a bucket.

 

[mux]

Brewed a hopped up red ale last night. Missed all my numbers but ended up with 8 gallons with a FG of 1.060. Checked it this morning and its happily bubbling away. First electric batch.

 

[mux]

Beautiful!

 

[hoppyih]

Nice work bro, I'm subscribed on this one.
Being a union man, ure going to need a union rep for the welding, supervising, picking up the mlt and hlt,lol.
Sorry J.K

 

[mux]

A few changes as I go, boil kettle on left 5500 watt element. What was once the mash tun is now the HLT. On the right is the new mash tun.

 

[mux]

Im using bi-metal thermometers, for now. All weldless.
Heres a look into the mash run.





And the exterior.

 

[mux]

Inside the kettle.







Exterior.

 

[mux]

HLT inside.







Exterior.

 

[SmokingDog]

Is there any reason why you couldn't/shouldn't just use the spa-panel (HD $50 one that everyone seems to use for GFCI) as your control box?

Other than space?

 

[mux]

You should read nec 725-54. As far as mixing class 1 and 2 circuits you will be doing that in your control panel any way. I wouldn't tamper with the sub panel in a way that voids the UL listing.

 

[mux]

 

[mux]

HLT prepped for element. I'll install it tomorrow and leak check. Hopefully brewing a rye pale ale this Saturday.

 

[Brickout]

Looks great. I can't wait to get all the parts I need to complete mine.

 

[mux]

Looks great. I can't wait to get all the parts I need to complete mine.

I got the spear and top. I should be out that way Sunday. I'll call you Saturday.

 

[rollinred]

Going back a bit. I am a poor a$$ college kid and I didn't have to buy a single tool to make my electric brewery.

I think the problem is that our average citizen has lost the idea of what "basic tools" means.

Nice work on the build! looks great!

 

[KNOTSANE]

Man, all of you engineers and electricians making all your cool systems really gets my goat. Just kidding guys. I wish I had those tech skills. I can build anything but the electronic part of it confuses the heck out of me. Well if I catch my garage on fire while brewing, at least I can put it out.

 

[mux]

Going back a bit. I am a poor a$$ college kid and I didn't have to buy a single tool to make my electric brewery.

I think the problem is that our average citizen has lost the idea of what "basic tools" means.

Nice work on the build! looks great!

Thanks.

I have friends that have no tools, and couldn't replace a lightbulb. Oh wait- I work with those guys.

 

[FattySparks]

IBEW Local 1 here. Looks good brother.

I saw on a previous post that you have 2300 out of work, and I though our 900 was bad. Damn...

Don't look for work in St. Louis anytime soon. I've only got 6 hours til I finish my apprenticeship, and I'm having trouble doing that.

 

[mux]

IBEW Local 1 here. Looks good brother.

I saw on a previous post that you have 2300 out of work, and I though our 900 was bad. Damn...

Don't look for work in St. Louis anytime soon. I've only got 6 hours til I finish my apprenticeship, and I'm having trouble doing that.

That sucks. I'm lucky to be working 40.

 

[rollinred]

Thanks.

I have friends that have no tools, and couldn't replace a lightbulb. Oh wait- I work with those guys.

I had friends that paid me $20 to change their oil. With them buying the filter/oil and taking the used stuff for recycle...

They could never figure out why I laughed the whole 10 minutes it took me to change their oil.

 

[Brickout]

Man, all of you engineers and electricians making all your cool systems really gets my goat. Just kidding guys. I wish I had those tech skills. I can build anything but the electronic part of it confuses the heck out of me. Well if I catch my garage on fire while brewing, at least I can put it out.

They way I approach things when I don't know enough about something is that it's a new mental challenge. We're never too old to learn something. Go to your library or home center or bookstore, get a book and start reading. There's tons of information in the web now too. Find a friend that knows these things and ask them to teach you. Not just do it for you.

Education and hands on experience can go a long way in life.

 

[mux]

For future reference when filling any thing with a valve- make sure the valve is closed!!