Help with electric question

[Garyr2973]

Ok, I'm going to start my electric build but thinking about starting out with the Brutus 20 clone (mainly due to being in a small house). My question is, I'm going to have new electric service installed in my garage just for my brew set up. I initially thought I'd need a 200amp service but now I'm thinking 100 would've fine. I plan on (if possible) using the5500 watt element but will that run on a 30 amp breaker or does it need 50? The 100amp service is like1/2 the cost to install then the 200amp.

 

[biertourist]

Gary the math is pretty easy:

5500w element / 240v = 23 amps required for a single electric element

If you're going to simultaneously run a 5500w element in two vessels (I'm not super familiar with Brutus 20) then you need 46 amps just for the 2 elements. The rest of the brewery components won't use too much power unless you add a RIMS tube or something and then you need a lower wattage element running on 120v so likely not too bad there either.

I can't see how you could possibly need more than 100 amps.


Adam

 

[Garyr2973]

Adam,
Thanks. My entire house is running on a 100 amp service so I didn't think I would need more than that but I figured I better as people who know instead of assuming. I think we all know where that gets us.

 

[porcupine73]

It sounds like 100 amp service is adequate. Do you have any other high draw electric appliances like electric hot water heater, electric stove, or electric clothes dryer? If so that could push you over the top, especially if everything happens to be running at the same time.

 

[Garyr2973]

Nope. I may put a fridge out there and possibly a dorm fridge for a fermentation chamber but that would be it. Maybe 4 light sockets.