Scrub Master 3000 Version 2.0

[raysmithtx]

number40fan

they are 5 gallon carboys. I haven't made another run to the store, but I am sure a 1/2" pipe will fit just fine, leaving plenty of room for run out.

I use Better Bottle so the neck of the carboys was large enough for that. I have added info to the OP to add the necessary parts for using glass carboys. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Sub'd!
Nice work!

 

[wintersabbath21]

Hey raysmithtx,

With your setup, how much water are using now? Do you see a significant savings in water/cleaning solution? I ask because using a plastic tub to accommodate the manifold looks much wider than some of the bucket solutions out there and as far as I understand the pump needs a minimum level of water to run safely. I am by no means looking to save the world here, but I wouldnt mind saving some $$$ on PBW...

Cheers!

 

[raysmithtx]

wintersabbath21

With your setup, how much water are using now? Do you see a significant savings in water/cleaning solution? I ask because using a plastic tub to accommodate the manifold looks much wider than some of the bucket solutions out there and as far as I understand the pump needs a minimum level of water to run safely. I am by no means looking to save the world here, but I wouldnt mind saving some $$$ on PBW...

I don't know how much less water, cleaner and sanitizer I'm using now but it's certainly less than I was using.

I don't think you can justify the system based on savings on chemicals/cleaners/sanitizers. I built the system for the convenience of being able to have the system do the cleaning chores for me while I do other things.

I did recently find a smaller tub which fits the manifold perfectly so I am using less water and products now. I will post a pic when I get more time.

 

[number40fan]

The tub that I use takes 2.5 gallons of water to keep from sucking air into the pump.

 

[wintersabbath21]

I don't think you can justify the system based on savings on chemicals/cleaners/sanitizers. I built the system for the convenience of being able to have the system do the cleaning chores for me while I do other things

Great point... after the cost of the pump and PVC it sort of negates a lot of the savings I would be gaining from the cost of chemicals. The reward then I guess lies in the instant gratification of potentially using less cleaner per session, convenience and ease of operation and the satisfaction of stepping back and saying, "F*** yeah, I built that!"

 

[srice]

I've decided to build one of these and thought that I would take a slight gamble on the pump. Amazon lists some used pumps. Given the number of them, I thought that they probably had a batch of damaged boxes instead of actually used pumps. I bought one for about $38. As I suspected, the pump is brand new and the box was damaged and taped back together.

 

[number40fan]

Sweet. That is a good deal.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Care to share a link on said "used" pump?..........

 

[srice]

Care to share a link on said "used" pump?..........

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X05G1A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The prices have actually gone down a little bit

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Thank you much!

 

[number40fan]

1/2" PVC with a cap will still not fit in my 5 gal. carboy neck. Just a smidge of sanding on this particular cap should make it a go!

 

[budaboff]

do you use the downward facing port to drain the bucket in between cycles, or just dump it?

 

[number40fan]

Pull the pump and dump the tote.

 

[budaboff]

That's what I figured. Mine is built, just need to find PVC glue in Korea to make the center poles. Do you let the PBW dissolve before you turn on the pump?

 

[number40fan]

The pumping/mixing action will mix it up.

 

[j_ettar]

Hi everyone,

I went to HD to get these parts and i learn that PVC is'nt kept anymore here in Quebec because its replaced by PEX, about the the third of the parts were available... I dont know why though.

So i want to share with you, what is the build i made.

I go out of from the pump with a Stainless reducer to go from 3/4 to 1/2. Then i put a nipple to attach a tee. Ill get a pvc 1/2 nipple that will attach to 4 feet of pvc to clean the corny. Then, from the middle port of the the tee, i plug a nipple that goes into another tee. In the two opening of the other tee, i plug a 1/2 to 1/4 reducer so that i can plug directly a 1/4 brass ball valve (normaly used with a c02 regulator). Then i connect the tubing and my ball lock post.

When i want to clean my kegerator lines, i use one of the 2 ball valves, the other one is used to manage the pressure like stated earlier by the OP.

Total cost, minus the corny post = about 65$.

Ill post some pictures when its gonna be build. If i forget to do it and your interested about the pictures, dont be shy to message me.

Jean

Parts list from ontario beer kegs

Code Description Qty Regular Total

reducing-coupler-3-4-x-half
Stainless Steel Reducing Coupler - 3/4" x 1/2" (FPT)

1 $3.99 $3.99

nipple-HALF-X-1-close-threaded
Stainless Steel Close Nipple

2 $2.99 $5.98

1-2-Plug-SS
Stainless Steel 1/2 Plug

1 $2.49 $2.49

SS-Tee
Stainless Steel Tee

2 $3.99 $7.98


reducer-bushing-half-x-1-4
Stainless Steel 1/2" MPT x 1/4" FPT Reducer Bushing

2 $4.99 $9.98

ValveBarb
Ball Valve with Check - 1/4" MPT x 1/4" Barb

2 $7.99 $15.98

Thick-wall-Beverage-line
Bevlex200 Thick Wall Beer Line

12 $0.69 $8.28

Subtotal: $57.43
GST: $2.87
Shipping & Handling: $8.54
Grand Total: $68.84

 

[budaboff]

. Thanks for the thread

 

[j_ettar]

 

[mblanks2]

Just finished mine and it works great! Well worth the investment of time and money.

 

[budaboff]

Adding a hose to the end of the exhaust pipe works like a champ to drain the bucket. A good way to "change cycles" is to run the water out while adding new water from the hose.

 

[KindofBlues71]

Just a heads-up for those wanting to build this, a 1/4 Superior pump (the one in the OP) is coming up on Amazon Lightning deals in about 50 min.

 

[FuriousE]

Great find - thank you!!

 

[helibrewer]

Just a heads-up for those wanting to build this, a 1/4 Superior pump (the one in the OP) is coming up on Amazon Lightning deals in about 50 min.

HD also sells this online with a store pickup option (free) for $47.86

 

[KindofBlues71]

I was able to get it for $38 and change today! Now to gather the parts...

 

[KindofBlues71]

Would it be possible to have two PVC pipes, one inside the other so it could telescope, in order to fit different size kegs, carboys, etc., or is the pump too powerful (meaning the water pressure would push the telescoping part)? I ferment in several different sized vessels from growlers and 1 gal jugs to 3, 5 and 6 gal carboys, have 2.5 gal kegs and will be getting 5 gal kegs soon. I'd like to limit the number of pipes I'll have to switch out due to length. Any one have other suggestions on how to handle this?

 

[ButcherBoy]

Ok, this thing is great! I just finished mine today, only problem I'm having is lots of foaming with the OxiClean. I can only run it for 2 minutes or so and then the foam is overflowing my container onto the floor, I'm running 1 scoop of Oxi per gallon of water. Maybe I need to cut that back, any hints? I'd like to just get this running and turn my back on it for 10 minutes while I take care of other things. Maybe PBW would foam less?

 

[raysmithtx]

I cut back on the oxiclean too. For kegs it's doesn't take long to clean them though.

 

[ButcherBoy]

I diluted the Oxi and will try much less the next time. But I'll say it doesn't take long, I had two that have been sitting around dirty for longer than I care to admit. But 3 or 4 minutes and they are sparkling, if I can get the foaming issue solved it will be a true set it and forget it cleaner. I'm so glad I decided to build it. Still working on accessories, line cleaners and what not. But this makes cleaning kegs really easy! If you decide to put one of these together you won't regret it.

 

[Slow_Day]

I use the oxi/tsp90/7thGen formula, (PBW clone), at 1 scoop per gallon and get very little foam. The 7thGen dishwashing detergent component may be the difference.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=467655