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My E-Kettle and Toolbox Control Panel

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First, the Harbor Freight one referenced earlier appears to have a plastic top with various structural ridges and grooves that would make it challenging for mounting controls. The entire box may be lined with plastic also.

I have been reading various control panel threads, and I posted this in Kal's. My apologies for the cross-post, but this probably belongs here anyway.

A metal tool box that looks pretty promising is the Homak 20" Flat Top. It's the same manufacturer as the hip-roofed one dflipse used, but it is a bit bigger and flat-topped.

I would lay out the controls something like this:

Control_Panel_20x8_5.jpg


This would be to support a single-vessel BIAB with recirculation, using one PID and one pump. L means light, S/L means illuminated switch, A means illuminated alarm buzzer, S means switch, and R is the reset button for the timer. Any words of wisdom, other than making sure that whatever I use for a back panel is removable post-installation, lol?

And finally, any ideas on the back plate for someone who does not own an angle grinder?
 
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Stop at Harbor Freight and pick up a $20.00 angle grinder with a coupon. :D

Probably a good idea. It will not be the first time I go for an inexpensive HF tool to support my brewing habit. BTW, I love how the user reviews average 4 of 5, with every 4 peple saying it's great and the 5th saying it died after 2 hours.
 
Probably a good idea. It will not be the first time I go for an inexpensive HF tool to support my brewing habit. BTW, I love how the user reviews average 4 of 5, with every 4 peple saying it's great and the 5th saying it died after 2 hours.

The good news is that you'll get this job done in way less than two hours.
 
I'm thinking that I may go with two of these plastic ones, one for the control panel and a second for the pump. I will want to see them in person first, though, to just make sure there is nothing funky to get in the way of the build.

Waterloo 22" Plastic Tool Box


It looks like they brand one as Westward for Grainger.

They come in a 22" and a 19 3/4" width. I suspect either would work, and I could probably stack the control panel box on top of the pump box.
 
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