looking for a good resource

[JoshuaWhite5522]

I want to eventually move away from gas brewing, or atleast suppliment it with eletric once I receive my 55gal boilermake brew pots. Unfortunetly I have very little knowledge about working with eletronice, aside from car audio installations which i did part time as a teen. I know there is quite a difference between the two.

Rather than hammer the forums with my millions of questions I have the time (another 8 months here in Afghanistan) to start teaching myself how to build an electric set up safely.

I'm not looking to go fully automated, but I would like to Be able to control the temp and powers to my heating element via a control pannel. Essentially a "Ka"l type setup the that only uses temp probes and and controlls the heating element. No need for timers, alarms, pump controls. thought I do like the idea of it monitoring the currant and voltage.

Basically what this long drawn out post is getting at is here is a good place to start teaching myself what I would need to know to accomplish my goals?

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

You mention that you know of Kal's setup, I can't imagine needing any another resource besides reading his website, the book, and reading this forum for 8 months... paying particular attention to veterans like P-J, Walker, CodeRage, Ohio-Ed, etc
http://theelectricbrewery.com

 

[Diver165]

You mention that you know of Kal's setup, I can't imagine needing any another resource besides reading his website, the book, and reading this forum for 8 months... paying particular attention to veterans like P-J, Walker, CodeRage, Ohio-Ed, etc
http://theelectricbrewery.com

....what he said... Also might throw in Google and YouTube. Lots of diagrams and videos of other people's setups to give you ideas.

 

[JoshuaWhite5522]

yeah I just really got into reading the write ups on kals site, as opposed to just staring at the equipment porn. I'm starting to get a feel for it. I think I should be good to go by the time I get home if i keep doing my homework.

 

[audger]

essentially, all you have to do is read the spec sheets on each piece of hardware you have and follow the recomendations. pay attention to the american wire gauge charts for how much current you can safely handle on what size of wire and use the right stuff.

other than that, its mostly common sense (for most people it should be anyway) things like solidly terminating all your wires so that they dont pull free; dont just twist and electrical tape your connections. use wire nuts, or some other type of connector that has some physical holding power. and GROUND EVERYTHING that could possibly conduct current. use fuses or breakers or GFCIs where appropriate.

ive never taken a class in my life, but i have no reservations about ripping into an electrical panel. it can all be learned thru experience, but the only way to get that is to do it. obviously dont work on things with power going to the equipment. if you can read a wire diagram, you can build a circuit.