My Single-Tier Propane/Electric Hybrid Brew Rig

[diatonic]

Making some progress with the HLT. Still need to hit it with more BKF. There's also a bit of spray paint on the top rim I need to take off with acetone. I installed the element and gauge glass for a leak test. Made a dip tube from 3/8" ID type L flexible copper, connected with a 1/2" flare fitting. Drains the HLT nearly completely, leaving about 1/4 cup in the bottom. Still need to hit it with BKF one more time I think.

As requested, some more pictures

The sight glass is 1/8" NPT swagelok to 3/8" tube elbow compression fitting. Was initially pissed when the ones I got from eBay were 1/8" NPT instead of 1/4" NPT, but it turned out great. The fittings are really low, and I can see level in the glass at about 2.5 gallons:

1/2" NPT half coupling, with a 1/2" to 1/4" bushing for the 4" Auber RTD probe. Used 1/2" for flexibility in the future with temperature sensors:

1" NPT half coupling. Still need to wire the element:

 

[diatonic]

My switches came in from Automation Direct today, and I made some progress on the control panel.

I hope to have the panel finished in the next few days

 

[klyph]

That panel looks great. I need to get crackin on mine.

 

[diatonic]

I dropped off the steel last Friday with the welder, and updated drawings for the stand. I made a few changes. These were the final dimensions I gave him:

I got 4 of these casters from eBay. They lock the wheel from moving completely, immobilizing the stand when all 4 are locked. They seem really high quality for the price.

Just get a call from the welder letting me know this portion of the stand is done. I'm going to see him tomorrow to figure out pump & burner mounts, as well as how we're going to mount the control panel.

The gas beam is all TIG welded, the rest of the welds are MIG. Here's where we are so far:

View from back:

Front view:

Top:

I think I'm going to use some 1x1 angle iron for supports to keep the kegs from being able to be pushed off from the sides.

 

[Cyan]

My switches came in from Automation Direct today, and I made some progress on the control panel.

I hope to have the panel finished in the next few days

Dude, your control panel rocks! :rockin:

I'm in the process of shopping for an Auber PID that will suit my specs... which one are you using? I'm guessing it's this one: http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

 

[Cyan]

Are you planning on using a recirulation (whirlpool) IC like one of these?

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

http://www.wortomatic.com/php/articles.php?ID=11

 

[diatonic]

Hey Durden, that is the PID I'm using, though I think the SYL-2362 is a few bucks cheaper, and would work equally well. I'm also using this RTD in the HLT, and I got this panel mount connector for the control panel connection to the RTD.

My recirculation IC will be a little different than that, but a similar concept. I'll have a copper coil mounted in the boil kettle which will almost always remain in place, and quick disconnects on the outside of the keg. I'm planning to start to whirlpool in the boil kettle at 10 minutes left in the boil, trying to get a nice counter-clockwise motion in the wort. At the end of the boil I'll connect a hose in the top QD for hot water exiting the coil, and put the other end in the MLT to collect hot water for cleaning it, then connect a garden hose to the QD on the bottom. I'll run cold water in to the bottom of the coil, and it will exit the top. I'm going to form the coil such that the water runs in the opposite direction (clockwise) in an attempt to maximize heat transfer.

I'm hoping this will help me collect trub & cold break in the middle of the kettle. After I reach my target temperature I'll shut off flow to the IC and let it settle for 20 minutes or so before pumping or draining to the fermenter.

The first brew will be quite the experiment

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I appreciate it.

 

[Cyan]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I appreciate it.

Thank you, as well! I appreciate all the information. It will really help me with my hybrid build. I'm starting to move away from a brutus clone to your rig. looked at your thread like 10 times today trying to figure everything out. I'm anxious to see how your panel turns out. Nice find on the enclosure - you got an amazing deal.

I think that's a good technique for the whirlpool effect. can't wait to see it in action. i'm still trying to understand the exact differences between HERMS (this) and RIMS (brutus) cuz iwas gonna build a brutus clone but now im proabably gonna switch to something like this. so instead of two asco valves, I would use one, huh? OK... still tryin to figure it all out. it's alotta fun doin this sh*t!

 

[diatonic]

... Why wouldn't you want to control the MLT with another PID and valve? I guess you don't need to because you won't lose enough heat to worry about it (esp. if the keg's insulated). Nice find on the enclosure - you got an amazing deal!

Well, I left space in the control box to mount another PID or 2 if I decide to in the future, as well as a connection to the gas beam for a MLT burner if I decide to direct fire it in the future. I think I'm going to put a pressure gauge there for now .

For my initial brews I'm planning to wrap the MLT in Reflectix, put a lid on it, and see how it does. I think I've worked out how I'm going to mount the burners, pumps. control panel & propane regulator. I'll update the thread when that part is done.

I've got a call in to a powder coating place to get a quote on getting it done in red.

Prost!

 

[Cyan]

Well, I left space in the control box to mount another PID or 2 if I decide to in the future, as well as a connection to the gas beam for a MLT burner if I decide to direct fire it in the future. I think I'm going to put a pressure gauge there for now .

For my initial brews I'm planning to wrap the MLT in Reflectix, put a lid on it, and see how it does. I think I've worked out how I'm going to mount the burners, pumps. control panel & propane regulator. I'll update the thread when that part is done.

I've got a call in to a powder coating place to get a quote on getting it done in red.

Prost!

oops i edited my post at the same time you wrote this post. my bad. but that's cool that you can always modify it if you wanted

 

[klyph]

Did you end up going with the stainless? If so, don't powdercoat it, get your ass to polishing!

 

[diatonic]

Nope. Decided to go with mild steel. The guy who did the welding ground down all the welds on the outside parts, and it looks like stainless right now... but a bit of moisture will change that pretty quick

I think in materials and welding labor I saved about $200 going with mild steel.

I'm pretty sure I'll regret it, but it has helped the budget for the project.

 

[klyph]

Wonder how much it would cost to get something that size copper plated...

 

[diatonic]

Met with the welder today. He's adding the mounts for the pumps & control panel, then it's going to be powder coated red. Hope to get it home by the end of next week.

 

[Cyan]

Met with the welder today. He's adding the mounts for the pumps & control panel, then it's going to be powder coated red. Hope to get it home by the end of next week.

Is he doin the mounts for the burners, too? I look forward to seeing it.

This thread has helped me with developing a propane/electric HERMS/RIMS system. I opened a thread last night for it. I'm excited!

 

[diatonic]

Is he doin the mounts for the burners, too? I look forward to seeing it.

This thread has helped me with developing a propane/electric HERMS/RIMS system. I opened a thread last night for it. I'm excited!

I'm going to tap some screw holes in the beams where the burners go to mount brackets for the burners. I wanted to have a chance to fire them at different heights to find the optimal location... then I'll just make some brackets to hold the burners.

I'll be watching your thread! I plan on making a video of the first brew day with mine and I'll post it here. Hoping to be able to brew in about 2-3 weeks on it.

:rockin:

 

[diatonic]

I picked up the completed stand from the welder last night, and I'm taking it to the powder-coater today. Here's how it turned out with the pump mounts and removable control panel arm:

 

[diatonic]

Too excited not to post this pic. Just picked up from powder coating. Now I just need to build some Snake10 style heat shields.

I have a few holes I still need to cut in the control panel, so I'll be being extra careful with that

Here it is at home. Ignore the neglected winter yard.

 

[frolf]

Wow, looks VERY nice!
I'm watching this thread more than any other.
You must be looking forward to brew day. (May 1st, right?)
Are you gonna brew with other brewers on brew day?
If so, you are gonna make them crap themselves.

 

[pickles]

Ooh the orange is spectacular! Nice work sir.

 

[Beer_Maker]

Very nice!

/subscribed

 

[diatonic]

Ooh the orange is spectacular! Nice work sir.

Thanks! The iPhone camera doesn't really represent the color well. It's pretty much the same color red a Snake10's killer Brutus frame:



His build is what made me decide to go with that color. Looks sweet!

And to prevent more PM's asking, I paid $80 for the powder coating. Bid from another shop was $150. They sandblasted it, and powder coated it. It's not high-temp (cured at 400F) so I'm working on some heat shields.

 

[diatonic]

Got home and set the kegs on it to get a feel of how it will be to brew on.

The control box turned out fantastic. I'm going to start putting it together tomorrow.

I sent the design for the control panel labels to a local sign shop. I'm picking up the vinyl tomorrow to apply to the front. The vinyl part is on the right, I'm having it cut from yellow vinyl.

 

[frolf]

First logo I've seen on a control panel.
Now, I have to make one.
You may have started a trend.
Do you study nucleonics?

 

[diatonic]

First logo I've seen on a control panel.
Now, I have to make one.
You may have started a trend.
Do you study nucleonics?

I did reactor chemistry/radiological controls in the Navy on submarines in the 90s as an engineering department laboratory technician. The lab where I performed coolant analysis was called 'Nucleonics'. I don't do lab work any more, but I find that my lab experience helps in my brewing... Nucleonics seemed like a good name for my rig, and it puts a smile on my face

I think airbalancer's was the first control panel I saw with a logo:

 

[ibbones]

Wow! I mean Wow! Can I say it? Wow! That looks good!

 

[ghart999]

Do you think the 1.5" square steel is overkill or the appropriate size? I want to do similar and want to know if that's the min or typical size steel to use. Also what kind of place did you get the steel from?

 

[klyph]

Do you think the 1.5" square steel is overkill or the appropriate size? I want to do similar and want to know if that's the min or typical size steel to use. Also what kind of place did you get the steel from?

Depends on the wall thickness I suppose. I've seen stands made of 1", not sure of the thickness.

 

[diatonic]

I got one 24' stick of 16 gauge and one 15 gauge. They only had one 16 gauge after selling me two so they gave me a 15 gauge piece for the same price. It feels plenty sturdy, and is fairly light. I'm a little concerned that when I tap some threads I'll have to be careful not to over torque & strip them.

Thanks for the positive comments. The sign shop screwed up the vinyl (they printed clear yellow on clear vinyl which looks like ass). They're re-doing it and I'll have it tomorrow.

 

[diatonic]

Very small update. Got the vinyl for my control panel and applied it. Now I just need to:

1. Wire the control panel
2. Mount the pumps
3. Plumb the gas
4. Plumb the water lines
5. Plumb the wort lines
6. Run the wiring for pumps and gas valve
7. Finish the keggles

Then it's BREW TIME!