MrShake's Magic Brewhaus or Top Hat Brewery

[willynilly]

Holy Crap dude!! I couldn't imagine fitting 10 ssrs into that box! I'd LOVE to see pics of how you got it all in there!

I will have to get you some... it is tight. The key is very accurately cutting and bending the wires so that they go where you want. It is tight, which is the reason for the 105CFM 230VAC and cooling ports to help cool it. 8 of the SSRs have heatsinks... that is what wastes space. You have a clean box, I appreciate that.

 

[buffalobrewer]

MrShake,
I'm a about a week behind on my brewtroller build from you. I think our panels are going to look like twins on the outside. I still have to hook up a relay board and the same switches you have.

I planned on using some vinyl/plastic j channel from the paneling section of the local overgrown home store to trim up around my lcd screen. Just thought I'd pass that along if you wanted to cover up the panel edge around the screen.

 

[MrShake]

MrShake,
I'm a about a week behind on my brewtroller build from you. I think our panels are going to look like twins on the outside. I still have to hook up a relay board and the same switches you have.

I planned on using some vinyl/plastic j channel from the paneling section of the local overgrown home store to trim up around my lcd screen. Just thought I'd pass that along if you wanted to cover up the panel edge around the screen.

Ohhh... I dig that idea... pics will be required

 

[willynilly]

Holy Crap dude!! I couldn't imagine fitting 10 ssrs into that box! I'd LOVE to see pics of how you got it all in there!

Hey man, if you can PM me your email address I can send you some photos. It took some VERY careful planning and using the right wire sizes to get it all in. The BCS control wires are all 22ga stranded, and there are so many that if I had gone to even 18ga, I would not be getting the lid on.

I mounted the wireless router so that the antenna sticks out the top for better reception... I call it "The Brain". A 12 x 12 x 6 wireless control box that will accept 4 temp. inputs and has 6 power outputs

(10) SSRs
(8) Heatsinks
(1) 120VAC duplex outlet
(1) 240VAC 50A outlet
(1) 105 CFM cooling fan
(5) shielded control box cooling ports
(1) Distribution block (3 LINE, 18 LOAD)
(1) Grounding bar
(1) BCS 460
(1) Wireless Bridge

All nestled in a 12 x 12 x 6 box that I control from my PC

It is really a modular, wireless power distribution center. You can bolt it to any E-rig and just run your hots, neutrals and grounds to the terminals in the box, log into the BCS and you can control anything. (4) temp inputs, and (6) outputs in the standard BCS. You can use all of the outputs, or just a few. I may end up building a few for friends.

God Bless you sir and your build

 

[capnr0n]

Here's a couple of shots showing where I am in the middle of my build.

 

[MrShake]

Very nice capnr0n!!!

I see your from belleville.... I grew up in lebanon, still have family over there.... you MIGHT have even heard of my dad... "Shakey Dave"

 

[MrShake]

So this weekend's work generated this:

Its not done yet, still needs some tweaking and I need to contact Derrin about a bad compression fitting (which I am sure he will quickly take care of).

I also still don't have the needed 240v in the garage... but its all comming.... SOON... hehehe.

Once I get the compression fitting sorted out, it will be time for a wet test!

 

[MrShake]

No pictures yet, as they are on a friend's camera... but Phase I of my build is functional!!

I boiled and heated water in both kettles using Brewtroller on saturday. Took ALL DAY to run power to the garage, and I am still sore from the work... but the stand is ready to brew a beer on!!!

Pictures and maybe even video soon!!

 

[MrShake]

Ok, grabbed a couple of pictures last night

Here is the entire brew stand, powered up and heating water:

Here is the control panel with my AWESOME new BLINGtastic CUSTOM made Stainless Steel Knob:

Thanks to the IRC chat folks on Brewtroller for helping me figure out the switch issues, next is to get the BK to stop tripping the breaker!!

Its almost time to brew with it!

 

[MrShake]

So, after an aborted attempt to brew on Monday, and solving some latent issues, I got to brew on Wednesday!!

The first conclusion is.... pumps rock. I brewed by myself and wasn't exhausted after I was done!

Second conclusion, brewing IN the garage requires some care in handling water so as not to soak everything.

Now, for what you are really here for.. pics:

Here is the stand, mid brew

Another angle, mid sparge

Chillin Out

Cleaning Up

 

[MrShake]

Now for the "interesting" thing that happened during the brew...

To set the stage, we are at the end of the brew, immersion chiller just went in the wort. In and Out garden hoses connected.

Turn on the cool water, and turn your back on the chiller to start the cleaning cycle.

Suddenly, I hear a loud pop and feel scalding water streaming onto my arm

I got the water turned off and hollered to SWMBO to get me a new shirt and I ditch mine since it was holding hot water against my skin.

Turns out, the house out into the yard draining the chiller had developed a kink and pressure built up.

Lesson learned... check your out hose!!

 

[MrShake]

I want to throw out a BIG shout out and thanks to the guys at BrewTroller!

Without their help, I could not have accomplished this. Between the BrewTroller Forums and the IRC chat I was able to solve problems and create this thing from the ground up.

 

[jcdillin]

Lookin great Shake!

What did you brew?

 

[MrShake]

An Irish Stout... should be delicious!!!

 

[pickles]

Good work Mr Shake !