My insane 25 Gal, 100 Percent Hard Plumbed Tri-Clover, Automated Tippy Build

[kickflip_mj]

I'm not really quite sure what uC they are using. Originally we where going to give out 1500 low power modules. We found out that they just wernt going to really drive a good marketing campaign. So we had them developed a starter kit that we can drive a design contest off of. We will see. I'll keep you in the loop when I get them for distribution. All you will have to do is answer a few quick questions and I will send it for free to you.

 

[jhalloran]

Kickflip, come back to us. I must know how this build ends ... and how it brews.

 

[maierhof]

Same here - I have to see a final video, slide show or something of this baby in action.
I mean - how are we supposed to live vicariously through you if you don't show us? =;>

 

[kickflip_mj]

Haha boy boys boys I have been at oktoberfest for the last week and doing work in germany!

 

[kickflip_mj]

Definitely a wild ride. This week I started working on the pilot lights and wiring, I'll post pictures tomorrow of the two separate control boxes that I am working on. One for each pilot system and volume pressure sensors.

 

[Bensiff]

ah, good times

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Sportin' the Lederhosen, Eh?

 

[kickflip_mj]

Yeah I have had them for a few years, I spend so much time in germany my friends made me purchase a pair. lol

 

[ddnisley]

Very nice build. I hope to have one that nice someday.

 

[kickflip_mj]

This is one of two pilot light control boxes . So I still have one pressure sensor to fit, this is definitely a tight squeeze.

 

[Lost_Arkitekt]

@ kickflip ... Where did you find those burner windscreens?

BTW, as a welder (for furniture), I have to say that your welds are very nice for someone who isn't a professional at it. Nice rig...love the dump feature.

 

[kickflip_mj]

I bought the windscreens from brewers hardware, I had to do some heavy modifying to them. I fusion welded the seams back together and cut out a vent.
http://www.brewershardware.com/12-Heat-Shield-Burner-Mount.html

Thank you for the complement! some of my welds arnt perfect but im happy with the overall appearance. The one thing im concerned about is the welds through the bottom, those where awful to do for a novice like me.

 

[kickflip_mj]

I put in a huge order for all my electronics today. Hopefully I'm not missing anything. Obviously a few small odd and ends but nothing I couldn't pick up at the hardware store.

 

[Bensiff]

I put in a huge order for all my electronics today. Hopefully I'm not missing anything. Obviously a few small odd and ends but nothing I couldn't pick up at the hardware store.

Have you ever repaired a car without having to make at least 1 or 10 extra trips to the parts store? Just get used to paying UPS shipping for a while

 

[kickflip_mj]

Have you ever repaired a car without having to make at least 1 or 10 extra trips to the parts store? Just get used to paying UPS shipping for a while

Ha everytime! I actually made an excel sheet to cut down on things missed. But I know ACE hardware is going to be happy to take my money.

 

[Bensiff]

Ha everytime! I actually made an excel sheet to cut down on things missed. But I know ACE hardware is going to be happy to take my money.

and Ebay, Amazon, Auber, Brewer's Hardware....

 

[kickflip_mj]

and Ebay, Amazon, Auber, Brewer's Hardware....

Brewtroller, Lowes, Electric brewer, TF Valves, Chalkboard, ADAfruit.lol

 

[Bensiff]

Well kick, I'm In process if renting out current house so that we can rent someone else's house due to job issues. Brew stand is painted and so close to finishing, control panel is ready to go, just need to put everything together but moving next weekend so am so far away from my first brew day with my new system. Condition of rental house is they are ok with me having 220v put in garage so at least I should get to fire new system by Christmas. Anyway, I will put together a thread with pics of my brewstand build which will have more to do with the paint job than anything that I will be sure to send you the link since I have enjoyed following your builds progress so much. Look forward to watching your control panel come together, just hope it doesn't make me regret going the Kal route. But so far am happy with where I'm at. Keep on with the good work. Cheers n beers.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Well kick, I'm In process if renting out current house so that we can rent someone else's house due to job issues. Brew stand is painted and so close to finishing, control panel is ready to go, just need to put everything together but moving next weekend so am so far away from my first brew day with my new system. Condition of rental house is they are ok with me having 220v put in garage so at least I should get to fire new system by Christmas. Anyway, I will put together a thread with pics of my brewstand build which will have more to do with the paint job than anything that I will be sure to send you the link since I have enjoyed following your builds progress so much. Look forward to watching your control panel come together, just hope it doesn't make me regret going the Kal route. But so far am happy with where I'm at. Keep on with the good work. Cheers n beers.

I'm sorry to here about job issues, I had to downgrade myself last year. Still not a fan but I am happy where i'm at.

That sounds so painful being so close to finishing a build but having to take a break. Maybe it will give you sometime to think about what else you need for your build? Rushing through these builds will make you want to fix small things that should have been done the first time. I don't think you will regret the Kal route. I am almost regretting going down the road that I went. I have way to much time and money into this rig.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Ok I finished my pilot lights and my volume sensor set up. Also added a stainless gusset in the control panel mounts. Definitely a long Sunday

 

[Bensiff]

I'm sorry to here about job issues, I had to downgrade myself last year. Still not a fan but I am happy where i'm at.

That sounds so painful being so close to finishing a build but having to take a break. Maybe it will give you sometime to think about what else you need for your build? Rushing through these builds will make you want to fix small things that should have been done the first time. I don't think you will regret the Kal route. I am almost regretting going down the road that I went. I have way to much time and money into this rig.

The only good thing is that I did the math and assuming I rent my current home out for what I want, with the savings in gas I will actually come out ahead; but, outside of moving all my free time is working towards getting another job as I'm done with my current career path...the only way to make it lucrative is a path I'm not willing to take. Anyway, brewstand is done, just need to drill the kettles for the quick pins to lock them in place on the stands tippy dumps, mount the CFC and pumps, and I can brew. Of course there are a few things I still want to do like get TC fittings on my CFC but I can brew without.

Anyway, the lack of lighting makes those pics look all artsy and stuff. Can you test the pilots yet or will you only know if they fire when you have everything together?

 

[wncbrewer]

I have really enjoyed following your build. Great job. I am in the process of converting my rig to all triclamp, man that stuff adds up quick. Look for a thread in about a month (when my stout kettles are due to arrive)

Anyway, what are your plans for a chiller? They just aren't many options out there for tri clamp even using NPT to triclamp adapters, most plate chillers available to homebrewers are too narrow without adding a bunch of threaded 90's, and to me having threads in front of triclamp sort of defeats the purpose of having them. Just interested to hear your plan on that front.

Thanks. WNC

 

[kickflip_mj]

I have really enjoyed following your build. Great job. I am in the process of converting my rig to all triclamp, man that stuff adds up quick. Look for a thread in about a month (when my stout kettles are due to arrive) Anyway, what are your plans for a chiller? They just aren't many options out there for tri clamp even using NPT to triclamp adapters, most plate chillers available to homebrewers are too narrow without adding a bunch of threaded 90's, and to me having threads in front of triclamp sort of defeats the purpose of having them. Just interested to hear your plan on that front. Thanks. WNC

Thank you, it's really been a labor of love. I am so lucky I can get the chance to build my dream rig. I'm really looking forward to seeing your build, and just realize that hard plumbing may not be the best option in terms of finances. Lol

I already completed my chiller. I took a TC end cap, drilled it out and soldered it on to a CFC from morebeer. I almost purchased a stainless one but I really wanted some copper in my brewery.. Check out my pictures.

 

[wncbrewer]

Thanks and sorry if I missed that earlier in the thread. I have used a counter flow chiller forever. I once bought a small 20 plate and wound up giving it away because it didn't work well. Great build and keep the photos. Coming.

 

[ddnisley]

very nice

 

[kickflip_mj]

Finally got my touch screen and Raspberry PI attached

 

[Bensiff]

I have really enjoyed following your build. Great job. I am in the process of converting my rig to all triclamp, man that stuff adds up quick. Look for a thread in about a month (when my stout kettles are due to arrive)

Yes, yes it does, Brewer's Hardware, Glacier Tanks, and Still Dragon will profit nicely from you as they did me...each of them has something you need for cheaper and then its about getting the cheapest shipping after that. Still Dragon does best on shipping followed by BH, and Glacier...they aren't so good.

Anyway, what are your plans for a chiller? They just aren't many options out there for tri clamp even using NPT to triclamp adapters, most plate chillers available to homebrewers are too narrow without adding a bunch of threaded 90's, and to me having threads in front of triclamp sort of defeats the purpose of having them. Just interested to hear your plan on that front.

I bought a stainless counterflow from Williams. My plan is to do exactly as kick did, but have a welder do the work for me. However if I can't find someone to do it I will have to attempt it myself and solder as I don't trust myself to succeed with my MIG. Otherwise you could buy the TC counterflow from Morebeer...but, that is way overpriced IMO.

If you decide not to try for the TC end on the CFC I would avoid the Williams or plan to cut the threading off. They used a stainless thread that is larger in its ID than the tube's OD so there is a gap. It is welded on the exposed side. Instead of welding the side that would contact the wort and then polishing they chose to leave the gap and then siliconed it to seal, no good, they should have just left the bare pipe.

 

[Bensiff]

I already completed my chiller. I took a TC end cap, drilled it out and soldered it on to a CFC from morebeer. I almost purchased a stainless one but I really wanted some copper in my brewery.. Check out my pictures.

How did drilling the end cap go for you? If I end up having to solder I'm worried about this for a number of reasons. My end cap is 1/4" thick and drilling a 5/8" hole seems daunting, difficulty clamping down such a small part on my drill press, and not getting a snug fit resulting in an inability to solder. Any tips would be great, might have to try to get my friend to toss it on a lathe at her machine shop to get exacting tolerances.

 

[kickflip_mj]

How did drilling the end cap go for you? If I end up having to solder I'm worried about this for a number of reasons. My end cap is 1/4" thick and drilling a 5/8" hole seems daunting, difficulty clamping down such a small part on my drill press, and not getting a snug fit resulting in an inability to solder. Any tips would be great, might have to try to get my friend to toss it on a lathe at her machine shop to get exacting tolerances.

Drilling the hole was really easy, just use lots of cutting oil pressure and keep it slow. I put the end cap in the vice and drilled away. Started with a pilot hole and then the 5/8ths bit and made it through just enough so the pipe would fit perfectly. Then put some foil down on the bench, clamped the end cap down then set the end of the chiller in the whole .. added a bunch of flux, heated it up and filled the space with solder. let it cool and cleaned up the exposed end.

 

[Bensiff]

Drilling the hole was really easy, just use lots of cutting oil pressure and keep it slow. I put the end cap in the vice and drilled away. Started with a pilot hole and then the 5/8ths bit and made it through just enough so the pipe would fit perfectly. Then put some foil down on the bench, clamped the end cap down then set the end of the chiller in the whole .. added a bunch of flux, heated it up and filled the space with solder. let it cool and cleaned up the exposed end.

So you used a drill motor instead of a press? I would worry I would elongate the hole. Did you have to do any filing to get a proper fit and did you end up with any gaps that the solder had to fill...I'm guessing that is why you used the foil, so you could pool into any gap?