Hop Rehab E-Herms build

[jCOSbrew]

I would recommend panel mount fuse holders like this style:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062230

A 1amp 120v fuse should be adequate for the PIDs and timer.

 

[smittygouv30]

Thanks for the reply. I don't plan to wire each PID/timer with an individual fuse. Your saying one 1-amp fuse will cut it for all 3?

Corey

 

[jCOSbrew]

Yes, the PID is using <5 Watts (<40ma @ 120V) so a 1 amp fuse is fine for a couple PIDs and a timer.

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

I use a 3amp fuse for my 3 PIDs, figuring that under full load they're doing their thing while still sending power to the SSR. Is the 5w rating just the PID itself, or does it also include the thruput power to the SSR?

 

[smittygouv30]

I remember reading somewhere that auber recommends a 1 amp fuse for their PIDs. I went into their online manual to check and of course I couldn't find any specific recommendations. Most people use 3-5 amp fuses, but maybe 1 amp is all that is needed?

 

[mrwizard0]

I used 1 2amp fuse for my 2 pids and timer, that was based on a p-j drawing. He's the man so I trust it should be enough

 

[smittygouv30]

Thanks man ill go with the 2 amp then. I'm jealous that you got a P-J drawing. Its too bad we can't clone him so we can all be blessed with one of his masterpieces. I'll post my final updated wiring diagram later. I'd like to finalize my order this weekend.

 

[smittygouv30]

Unfortunately the only way I can attach a decent quality diagram is through a pdf. Re-sizing my diagram as a bmp distorts it, and the jpeg is terrible for some reason.

So, my apologies in advance for the attachment method, but here is both the control panel face and the wiring diagram. They are both finalized to the best of my ability. I'm looking for any and all last minute critiques. The enclosure is the Auber 16x12x6. I have a march pump already and have ordered greatbreweh's pump but who knows when I will get that. I plan to source all my electrical stuff from mouser, ebrewsupply, auberins, amazon, home depot, and radioshack.

Thanks,

Corey

View attachment Final E-Herms Hop Rehab wiring diagram.pdf

View attachment Final Hop Rehab E-Herms Panel.pdf

 

[smittygouv30]

I'm making my first of what will probably be many trips to Home Depot on Friday to pick up the breaker, wires, spa panel and receptacle. But first I have another question. My plan is to install a 240v 30 amp breaker and then run it to a spa panel for the GFCI protection.

I want to make sure i'm getting the right breaker. The brand of my breakers are square D, see picture below. When checking home depots products there are 2 options to choose from. One is a "QO 30 amp 2-pole" the other looks like a standard "30 amp 2-pole". There is only a small difference in price, about 7$. What is the QO load protection? Will they both work or does it matter which one I get? When looking in my panel there are 2 other 30 amp 2 pole breakers in my panel and they look to be of the QO load variety.

QO load
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...&productId=100022140&R=100022140#.UOTgHW_kjNs

Regular
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...rd=square+d+30+amp&storeId=10051#.UOThy2_kjNs

Thanks in advance,

Corey

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

I'm not sure what the difference between the two are, but what I'd suggest doing is pulling the inner cover plate off and looking at how the breakers actually attach to the panel. If possible, pull one of the breakers and take it with you, because there are MANY different ways that a breaker will clip-in to a panel, and you want to make sure you get the right one. I took 3 different trips before I got the right one, but I didn't bring a breaker with me, I took crappy photos on my cell phone.

 

[smittygouv30]

Good advice man thanks. I suppose that would be the safest/easiest way. It looks like the square D brand only has 2 options at home depot. If it's not obvious to me comparing the two then maybe i'll just buy both of them and return the one that doesn't work.

Corey

 

[mrwizard0]

My panel had the circuit breaker types that fit it listed on one of the door labels. I actually took a pic of that with me to lowes and that made it super easy as well.

 

[smittygouv30]

My panel had the circuit breaker types that fit it listed on one of the door labels. I actually took a pic of that with me to lowes and that made it super easy as well.

I wish I could say proudly "of course I checked there". But... sure enough I didn't , and sure enough it lists QO as the circuit breaker that I need. Thanks for the very obvious but very much needed advice.

Corey

 

[smittygouv30]

I got the 240v 30 amp breaker and receptacle installed today. Tested it with a multimeter and she works!

It measured at 251v, that's normal right?

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

It'll likely fluctuate throughout the day, but 251 isn't crazy.

 

[milldoggy]

Power company's like to play with the voltage depending on load. I have seen 230 in the summer. Congrats on the build.

 

[smittygouv30]

Thanks guys. I knew I had read in the forum that it can vary, but some affirmation is helpful!

I'm hopeful to get some of the switchcraft terminal ends installed today during the Bengals game. We'll see how that goes. ha

Go Bengals!

 

[smittygouv30]

I made a little more progress today.

I got the spa panel internals all wired up. Then installed the switch craft plugs and receptacles for power into and out of the spa panel as well as power into the control panel. The switch craft plugs are cool but boy they are pain to wire up!

Multimeter says its wired correct as it still reads 251v and GFCI doesn't trip.

 

[smittygouv30]

I finally got a couple of hours to work on the build more. Unfortunately I spent it re-doing the spa panel switchcraft plug wiring. It was a pain but totally worth it as I feel much more confident with the wiring now. I soldered the female terminal ends to the receptacle blades and shrink tubed them individually. Attached is the before and the after.

 

[smittygouv30]

I also changed the location of my spa panel away from my motorized grain mill. I feared the vibrations from the grain mill might knock a terminal end free.

 

[smittygouv30]

Slow progress marches on. I got the compression fittings to the HERMs coil installed and prepared the element housing. Hopefully today I'll get the switchcraft receptacle on the back plate installed now that the JB weld has sat over night.

 

[smittygouv30]

I made a little more progress on the equipment today. The next step is putting together a stand while waiting for the last bits of my control panel roll in.

 

[smittygouv30]

I made some stickers for the coolers. This is just in case i drink too many home brews and forget which one was is which.

 

[smittygouv30]

I installed the element and tested it out today. The control panel isn't done yet so I just plugged it directly into the spa panel. It worked great, heating ~5 gallons of 55 deg water to 100 in about five minutes. Is it normal to be scared ****less the first time you test the equipment? Haha

 

[mcl]

I like the idea of incorporating a light into the element box.

 

[SpartyParty]

What type of outlets/plugs are using for the element (in the box) and the male plug for the panel? I have never seen those before...? Thanks

 

[smittygouv30]

They are the switchcraft plug/receptacles. If you search "switchcraft" there is a great thread with a lot more info on its use and approval brewing application.

It's a great way to knock $100+ off of your overall build cost but beware jt will also add about 2 hours of frustration while building the cords. Haha

Corey

 

[smittygouv30]

The brew stand is underway! Should have her assembled by the end of the weekend.. Polyurethane tomorrow, bolts and screws Sunday.

 

[ssimkins]

Looking good! I can't wait to see the finished system!

 

[smittygouv30]

Almost done with the stand. There was way more to this project than I expected, but that seems to be a common theme for the whole project. Ha