ChrisfromAbby
Well-Known Member
If anyone has specific experience putting a control panel together, I'd appreciate the help! I'm trying to partially automate my single tier propane HERMS brewstand. I'm in the process of adding a gas valve to my HLT. I already have 2 pumps and two digital flow meters that I've been using for the past while. It's time to straighten up and organize all the controls and switches - it's already a little ugly and with the valves, transformers and controller on the way it's time to step up!
Let me state right up front, I am an unrepentant bottom feeder. I love to re-use and re-purpose stuff. Hell, my brewstand cost me only $3 in bedframes and a $40 arc welder from a garage sale! So the idea of dropping $1500 - or more - on a commercially made brew controller is right out of the picture. But I'm not opposed to picking up a few new parts here and there.
I determined that I first need an enclosure. A 10"x12" ought to do it. But that's not too hard on ebay. But again if someone has experience with a particular item and or a source...
I went looking for bus bars today - no luck in HD or the specialty commercial electronics store. I just want a block connector where I can bring in my hot 110v and then branch off to the various switches - sort of what is inside a typical home breaker panel, but with only about 8 terminals. The stuff I found on ebay seemed for 12v automotive or RV use, making me not confident it'd be safe. I'll likewise need another bus for the neutral wires.
Will also need some buttons and switches. A nice big kill switch and a smaller start button for sure. A few toggles for the pumps and transformers too.
Chris
Let me state right up front, I am an unrepentant bottom feeder. I love to re-use and re-purpose stuff. Hell, my brewstand cost me only $3 in bedframes and a $40 arc welder from a garage sale! So the idea of dropping $1500 - or more - on a commercially made brew controller is right out of the picture. But I'm not opposed to picking up a few new parts here and there.
I determined that I first need an enclosure. A 10"x12" ought to do it. But that's not too hard on ebay. But again if someone has experience with a particular item and or a source...
I went looking for bus bars today - no luck in HD or the specialty commercial electronics store. I just want a block connector where I can bring in my hot 110v and then branch off to the various switches - sort of what is inside a typical home breaker panel, but with only about 8 terminals. The stuff I found on ebay seemed for 12v automotive or RV use, making me not confident it'd be safe. I'll likewise need another bus for the neutral wires.
Will also need some buttons and switches. A nice big kill switch and a smaller start button for sure. A few toggles for the pumps and transformers too.
Chris
