Electric RIMS System

[The Pol]

Here is my old Blichmann electric RIMS. 9000W, wireless controlled. Back when things weren't as fancy as they are today.

 

[zachzama]

Okay, so I've started putting everything together and came to a bit of a halt. Need some help as I'm probably just in the weeds on it.

My question, I only have two Blichmann electric tower of powers. On their website and everything it says "use one controller for your hot liquor tank and another to control the mash". Okay, but what about the boil kettle? My original idea was to take the sensor connection from the hot liquor tank and simply plug in the boil kettle. But I can't find any info anywhere on the Blichmann boilcoil and/or the boil kettle with a tower of power. Are there other ideas or options out there? Is it possible to just "manually" turn on the coil in the boil kettle and monitor the thermometer that came with the kettle?

Any help is appreciated as I'm at the point of installing the sensors and need a direction for the boil kettle. I guess if I'm going to "switch" the controls from the hot liquor tank to the boil kettle I need to just buy another sensor (if they sell them separately) and not be to bothered. Just haven't seen anything from Blichmann or online on how anyone else handles the boil kettle.

 

[drksky]

Okay, so I've started putting everything together and came to a bit of a halt. Need some help as I'm probably just in the weeds on it.

My question, I only have two Blichmann electric tower of powers. On their website and everything it says "use one controller for your hot liquor tank and another to control the mash". Okay, but what about the boil kettle? My original idea was to take the sensor connection from the hot liquor tank and simply plug in the boil kettle. But I can't find any info anywhere on the Blichmann boilcoil and/or the boil kettle with a tower of power. Are there other ideas or options out there? Is it possible to just "manually" turn on the coil in the boil kettle and monitor the thermometer that came with the kettle?

Any help is appreciated as I'm at the point of installing the sensors and need a direction for the boil kettle. I guess if I'm going to "switch" the controls from the hot liquor tank to the boil kettle I need to just buy another sensor (if they sell them separately) and not be to bothered. Just haven't seen anything from Blichmann or online on how anyone else handles the boil kettle.

The tower of power controllers have an always on mode that you can use for the boil and bypass the temperature control. Switch it to on and control the output with the pad on the top of the controller box. No temperature sensor needed in the BK. Just adjust the output of the controller to control how vigorously you boil.

See the video at about the 2:55 mark.

 

[zachzama]

Awesome, thank you so much. I've got a good start to putting everything together and will share some pictures soon.

 

[zachzama]

Sorry it's been awhile and I know I said I'd keep everyone up to date on progress. Had a few things get in the way and everything went on the back burner for awhile. Finally getting everything out of boxes and setup soon. Will keep you all posted as things progress.

 

[zachzama]

Okay, so after quite a long time I have the bones setup. Had a lot of things come up so this was put on the back burner but more than happy to share my experience with anyone who has questions. Here is what Ive learned so far.
1. It will take you much longer than you think to research and actually set things up. There weren't any guides on a RIMS setup so I kind of had to figure that part out (not hard) but the site that was instrumental in helping me was all the info at "The Electric Brewery".
2. Make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing to get your 240v power installed (if you go the 240v route). I was lucky as my breaker is on opposite side of the wall in my garage where I installed. Took some time to find the right person and the right price. The breakers themselves were the most expensive part.
3. Make sure you check your list of parts multiple times and have a clear idea of how your setup will work. I had multiple orders for small parts I missed or mis-ordered.
4. Take your time! It looks easy, but getting all the right washers, o-rings, parts and everything together right took some time. Im not the most savvy with tools as I work in IT and my main tool is a keyboard. Just take your time to do things right. A big one is assuring you know where you want to drill the holes in your pots and have the right tools.

I plan to run water thru the whole system and brew this weekend but after finally getting the time to finish, here is what I have so far...

 

[GTS350]

... Okay, but what about the boil kettle? My original idea was to take the sensor connection from the hot liquor tank and simply plug in the boil kettle. But I can't find any info anywhere on the Blichmann boilcoil and/or the boil kettle with a tower of power. Are there other ideas or options out there? ....

Hi Zach,
I'm about to embark on complete electric conversion.
I also had a lot of inspiration from The Electric Brewery website, which is more HERMS oriented.
However I've already got the RIMS Rocket. So I'm updating with that in the process.

For the boil control, I thought about an extra PID, and was not going to spend the coins on a 3rd Blichmann Tower of Power console.

My solution so far is this Digital SSR regulator from Auberins model DSPR1 ..
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=444

I'm thinking of mounting it in a box with heatsink, etc, on top of the two tower power consoles.

How did you go with running and powering your 240v BoilCoil Kettle?
Thanks,
Richie

 

[zachzama]

Hey Richie, I had that exact same question when putting things together. I only have 2 Blichmann controllers and it works out just fine. Basically while I was sparging, I disconnected the controller on the Hop Rocket as it wasn't needed and connected it to the boil. So the mash maintained heat through the sparge water. Then once everything was transferred, I turned on the boil. They outline the process in the step by step brew day process on the electric brewery.

As for the 204v, I had a electrician come out and install two outlets in my garage. I was lucky as my box was in the same wall, just on the other side. The most expensive part was the two GFI breakers but everything works great.