craigmw
Well-Known Member
I just built an EZ-Boil eBIAB panel using the DSPR320 and really love all that can be done with it. The panel controls the heater element as well as two aux circuits. The aux circuits are controlled by 3-way selector switches with positions Auto, Off and On. When switched to On, these Aux circuits can be operated manually. When switched to Auto, they are controlled via the AL1 and AL2 dry contacts switching the outlets via 120V coil SPDT relays. I have it set up with Aux1 controlling my recirculation pump and AL2 controlling a solenoid valve that controls water flow to my plate chiller.
The wort is always pumped through the chiller. Whenever a program calls for a temperature ramp down, the chiller loop automatically switches on, leading to rapid drops in temperature. Unfortunately, programming of the AL1 and AL2 relays is a bit tricky, so I decided to add a third 120V coil SPDT relay to allow AL2 to activate both relays. In this manner, whenever the selector switches for both are in auto mode, the ramping down automatically activates both the chiller loop and the recirculation pump. Since the recirculation pump always needs to be active during chilling, this greatly simplifies relay programming. I just set AL2 to Cooling mode for both mash and boil programs. Then, whenever a temp ramp down is called for, cooling is automated. Works perfectly!
I have my programs set up so that I can program in a delayed start to a start temp. Since I typically sparge, I have this set to sparge temp (170F), then when I start my brew day, I just pump over needed sparge water into an Igloo cooler. I then have the mash program ramp the temp down to strike temp and begin the first mash rest temp (sometimes this is set to do a protein rest, sometimes just a single mash rest). The second mash rest temp is initiated after 20 minutes and completes after 40 minutes, raises the temp to mash out (170) for 15 minutes and then goes into a hold. This allows me to do a sparge if needed. After the hold, a Start button press allows it to continue on to the boil program, where it raises the temp to 208 at full power followed by a switch to about 50-80% (depending on volume) for a medium boil for 60 minutes. At 10 minutes before the end of the boil, the recirculation pump is activated to sanitize the chiller, and whirlpool tube. At "flame out," the chiller circuit is activated and continues this until I stop the program. I've done one brew day on it, and it's worked really well!
Although the relay programming takes a bit of thinking, it does work pretty well and provides much more automation than I was anticipating. It's perfect for even more complex single vessel brewing operations.
The wort is always pumped through the chiller. Whenever a program calls for a temperature ramp down, the chiller loop automatically switches on, leading to rapid drops in temperature. Unfortunately, programming of the AL1 and AL2 relays is a bit tricky, so I decided to add a third 120V coil SPDT relay to allow AL2 to activate both relays. In this manner, whenever the selector switches for both are in auto mode, the ramping down automatically activates both the chiller loop and the recirculation pump. Since the recirculation pump always needs to be active during chilling, this greatly simplifies relay programming. I just set AL2 to Cooling mode for both mash and boil programs. Then, whenever a temp ramp down is called for, cooling is automated. Works perfectly!
I have my programs set up so that I can program in a delayed start to a start temp. Since I typically sparge, I have this set to sparge temp (170F), then when I start my brew day, I just pump over needed sparge water into an Igloo cooler. I then have the mash program ramp the temp down to strike temp and begin the first mash rest temp (sometimes this is set to do a protein rest, sometimes just a single mash rest). The second mash rest temp is initiated after 20 minutes and completes after 40 minutes, raises the temp to mash out (170) for 15 minutes and then goes into a hold. This allows me to do a sparge if needed. After the hold, a Start button press allows it to continue on to the boil program, where it raises the temp to 208 at full power followed by a switch to about 50-80% (depending on volume) for a medium boil for 60 minutes. At 10 minutes before the end of the boil, the recirculation pump is activated to sanitize the chiller, and whirlpool tube. At "flame out," the chiller circuit is activated and continues this until I stop the program. I've done one brew day on it, and it's worked really well!
Although the relay programming takes a bit of thinking, it does work pretty well and provides much more automation than I was anticipating. It's perfect for even more complex single vessel brewing operations.
