First batch with new electric system.

[Golddiggie]

They don't have a spunding valve. They have a gas manifold with a PRV that is NOT to be used as a spunding valve (says right in the information about it) since it releases at 15psi. IF Spike was to offer an actual spunding valve, I'd consider it for future fermenter purchases.
"Our gas manifold is not designed as a spunding valve/for use during pressure fermentation; don't put this on your fermenter until it has stopped producing CO2. The PRV can clog and cause an extremely dangerous situation."
I have the manifold fitted to both fermenters for both safety AND for when I extract the finished beer. This way it's already in place for if/when I need to add pressure into the fermenter for the move to keg or can. I also use it to do a final CO2 purge post conical fill. Even though I'm doing a closed transfer, I feel better giving it a could of low pressure purge cycles.
For the batch I brewed on Saturday I also did the same gas venting method that I use when filling a corny keg. Basically, gas fitting with a length of tubing into a container of Starsan for it to vent into.

 

[Golddiggie]

Just ordered up the hardware to make a couple of 'manifolds' for the pumps and the HERMS coil inlet. Should have everything by/on Saturday. Needed to get a TC cross fitting for the wort pump outlet since it needs to go on three different paths. Tee fitting for the wort inlet, tee fitting on the water pump outlet and HERMS coil inlet. Also got some 90 degree barb fittings in the order to make shorter tubing lengths.

Just hope I don't run into a weight issue on the pump heads (Chugger stainless TC heads) with what's going onto them. If needed I'll add to the stand and use some mounting pieces to the fittings. Hope I don't need to, but prepared in case I do.

Smallest ID on the fittings is 1/2". TC tee, and cross, are all 1" pipe sized.

 

[Golddiggie]

Will be posting pictures in the next couple of days of the manifold setup I'm putting together to go between the pumps and kettles. Just waiting for the order of tee fittings (Amazon) and then the barbs and such (Brewers Hardware) to arrive. The tees are due Saturday, with the order from BH coming either tomorrow or Saturday (USPS, so it's anyone's guess).

I'm going with a tee fitting on the HLT coil inlet, and water pump outlet. The wort pump gets a tee on the inlet and a cross (arrived today) on the outlet (since the wort out has three potential paths). I already have the pull handle butterfly valves installed. I'll be trimming the current tubing I'm using where able. Pretty much every run will be shorter once this is setup. I plan to do a simple water test to make sure the flow rate still works. If the pump inlets are getting starved, I'll upgrade the hoses (and barbs) feeding them to 3/4" ID tubing. I don't think that will be needed, but I'm ready just in case (just means it will be finished next weekend, not this one).

Hopefully this will make things not only easier on brew day, but keep the outside of the pump heads and valves cleaner (no more spilled wort).

 

[Golddiggie]

Just pulled the trigger on a new plate chiller to replace the one from Duda Diesel. The main reason I'm doing this is to get the TC native connections. Side bonus is more than double the cooling surface area. Old chiller was in the 9-10 square foot range (no slouch). New is 25 square feet of surface area.

I'll make the item to mount it to the brew stand once it arrives. I'll also take a current picture of the manifold system on the pumps next time I go into the garage (or on the coming brew day). New chiller will be for the following batch.

Looking forward to seeing how fast the new chiller cools the hot wort down. I suspect I won't need to reduce the flow rate all that much with this one, and my current batch sizes. Plus I'll be ready for the next size increase (or at least a few of them) for the system.

 

[Golddiggie]

New chiller in a picture with the old one (new one is much larger ):

Need to make the mounting assembly for the new plate chiller before I can use it. It will go in the same are the old one did on the brew stand. The steel arrived earlier today for that project. Nothing too complicated, just need to put mounting holes in one length of steel, slots for the mounting studs to go into, and then weld it all up. Of course, I expect to need to relocate the wort strainer to make room. But that's not really an issue. Especially since I'd been thinking about doing that anyway.

Also have a new Monster Mill coming up from GA. Ordered the MM-3ProG KEY version. Should mate up 100% with the motor I have (also from Monster) to run it. ETA is Thursday right now (1/20/22).