My Brutus Build

[Desert_Sky]

well I spent all day today getting the kegs ready. Got a fitting welded on to my false bottom and everything leak tested. I think instead of a box of some sort Im going to use a 1/16 thick piece of sheet metal and just make my control panel out of that.

With that said.....I cant do any testing on the burners and pilots until I get power to the solenoids to open the flow.

Been giving some more thought to what kladue said about watching the temp. Who knows, by the time this is all said and done I may just go with some needle valves for a more precise manual control over all three burners.

I haven't gone this long without my beer in the fridge and am starting to get anxious. Boddington's is filling the void tonight though.

 

[Desert_Sky]

still slowly but surely knocking one little project out at a time. here is the thermocouple setup i will be using

 

[MrFebtober]

great work! I really like the keg retaining rings. I think that's the most stable and safe-looking rig I've ever seen.

One day, I will weld...one day.

 

[Resto3]

How's it commin' along there Chimone?

 

[Desert_Sky]

How's it commin' along there Chimone?

I think Ive made 5 trips to ACE hardware today.....

but I may be able to brew next weekend

 

[CodeRage]

Dude, I am digging the swinging control panel. I may just have to borrow that idea!

Lookin good!

 

[Dude]

Looks great!!!!! Need more pics of it in action too!

 

[hooks]

still slowly but surely knocking one little project out at a time. here is the thermocouple setup i will be using

How did you put your thermocouple assy together to prevent leaks? If you have a pic of how it's assembled that would be great as I'm sketchy on what keeps everything leak tight... nice job by the way..

 

[MNBugeater]

Thread tape looks like by the photo. And I think he meant thermoWELL rather than thermocouple. The thermocouple would be on a pilot light to throw a valve open

The thermowell is the end opposite of the quick connect on the "T" fitting. He can then place a probe or thermometer in there to measure temps.

I have the exact 'portable' tee fitting popularized by Lonnie Mac's Brutus Ten build. I have a 4 " thermowell in the end opposite the quick connect very similar to the above photo. I too used thread tape to make it water tight. Thread dope works well too.

In hindsight, I wouldn't have purchase an expensive stainless still threaded thermowell, but rather soldered one out of copper tubing for about $4. But oh well, what I have works.

 

[Desert_Sky]

^^^^^

ya what he said

thermowell allows the temp probe to sit right there inside the T junction.

*edit

B3 had the SS qds on deal of the day the other day for 4 bucks a set!!!! And I had to cut down the SS thermowells and have them re welded

 

[hooks]

Thanks for the replies fellas, it didn't look like he had pipe tape on the thermowell end of the Tee. I'm building my own Brutus as well...this is going to allow me to brew beer more often..

 

[Desert_Sky]

Knocking out a little bit more each day. It's looking good for a few test runs this weekend (well, as long as I don't zap anything).

 

[Gordie]

still slowly but surely knocking one little project out at a time. here is the thermocouple setup i will be using

What coupling did you use to QD the tee fitting to the ball valve? I'm using the same brass QDs and have placed the males on my valves and haven't been able to find a female with a 1/2" NPT fitting.

 

[Desert_Sky]

Those are the SS QDs from B3
http://morebeer.com/view_product/7642

they were on deal of the day a while back for 5 bucks a set

 

[Damonic]

How tall are you guys? I'm 6'3" and it looks like I'd have to stoop over to use that control panel. I'm picturing a mod that would put the panel on a beam that would swing UP and lock for brewing. Then swing down for storage.

 

[Desert_Sky]

6'5" and I dont really have to stoop. Just reach down and flip a switch is all.

Brewed on it today for the 4th time in 3 weeks. I now have 40 gallons of beer which is absolutely insane being that ive been so used to 5 gallon batches.