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How does the autosparge work with the pump? I ask because I just picked one up and have heard it can be hard to regulate the flow low enough to get it to work correctly.

Install a 3 way bypass if needed (essentially a tee on the output with one leg going to the autosparge and the other leg having an inline ball valve to throttle with it discharging back into the HLT. Throttle down until there is about half of the pumps rated flow going back into the HLT. Then each time the autosparge wants water the pump will be ready to rock with a smooth flow of water.
 
How does the autosparge work with the pump? I ask because I just picked one up and have heard it can be hard to regulate the flow low enough to get it to work correctly.

Bit off topic to this thread but we now have a controller for our pumps that allow you to turn the pump down to a trickle for sparging, its new and unreleased at this time but couple weeks away, it is designed strictly for sparging.
 
How does the autosparge work with the pump? I ask because I just picked one up and have heard it can be hard to regulate the flow low enough to get it to work correctly.

It works pretty well for me. I throttle down the valve on my pump to less than half and have no issues. It just takes me a bit to set the float properly before starting the sparge.
 
Here is my archaic setup. It is still in its infancy, but it works. I will be adding another pump and a keggle as the mash tun next.
I have bought the auto sprague but it is difficult to sparge and transfer wort from the mash tun to the boil kettle at the same time. I do recommend getting a good stout false bottom is you are going to tackle 10 gal batches so it does not collapse under the weight if the mash.
Just my two cents.
ImageUploadedByHome Brew1395497932.484516.jpg





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Looks nice! One thing to be careful with is putting casters directly on the legs of the Brewhemoth. I asked the guys about doing that and they advised against it. If you tie the legs together though - maybe even just zip ties or some strut - then the main concern is eased. I ended up building a base with casters and bolting right to the base instead.

You can kind of see it here:



Nicely organized though!

Just got finished reorganizing the space. Coming along nicely! First brew will be next weekend!!!

View attachment 189553View attachment 189554View attachment 189555


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I like that!!! I put wheels on it so u can move them around when they are empty. But I do see what you mean, the legs aren't as solid as I'd like. I think I'll brace them for now and add a base mount as you have later. Nice idea and thank you for the suggestion!


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I like that!!! I put wheels on it so u can move them around when they are empty. But I do see what you mean, the legs aren't as solid as I'd like. I think I'll brace them for now and add a base mount as you have later. Nice idea and thank you for the suggestion!


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No problem - glad it is helpful!
 
Here is mine. Direct fired RIMS is how I use it typically, but I have a tri-clamp immersion chiller that can be moved to the HLT for a HERMS setup. The control panel is definitely a "hands on" setup. One switch controls the HSI (Hot Surface Ignitor) that ignites the propane that is controlled by another switch that opens and closes a solenoid valve. The third switch turns the alarm sound off. It's tri-clamp throughout except the vacuum gauge on the pump mechanism. Only "threads" on this baby. Had a friend make the stainless heat shields that attach to the legs at the base. BTW these are Sabco kegs that another friend did some modifications to. Fun stuff! ImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308253.383074.jpgImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308280.847372.jpgImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308297.641910.jpgImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308313.938436.jpgImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308331.368560.jpgImageUploadedByHome Brew1396308355.210184.jpg


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Here is my current brew rig: Single tier, Natural Gas Fired, Bottom Drain MLT, HERMS.

the-rig-62634.jpg


Boil Kettle on the left, Mash Tun in the middle, and Hot Liquor Tank / HERMS on the right. Image shown is in 'sparge mode' with wort being pumped to the boil kettle via the HERMS coil in the HLT. Love this setup!
 
I did a few updates and went to single tier.... honestly, I wish I'd done it a long time ago. I't just so much easier working on the floor, or WCS, a small step stool.
Having all the storage beneath is a huge plus as well.

IMG_0449_zpsd1f6b575.jpg
 
Here are some images of the rig I built. My main goal was to have on board storage and as much as possible in one place. After many many hours of research on this forum, and others, this is the final result.

What you don't see in the images below are the two 6 foot folding tables that clip on to the sides of the rig. With this setup I roll this baby out of the garage, hook up a water hose, run a cord to power up the pumps, and light the burners. I can be heating strike water inside 15 minutes.

Full View of rig. The surfaces on the right side fold down to shorten the overall length.



The tall end has a Storage Locker. The Bus tubs are used for storage but get pulled out and become sinks for cleaning and sanitizing.



I decided to go with two pumps, even though my HLT is up high.



I tucked a spare outlet and the water filter under the top.



With the water manifold I run one hose to the house and then attach additional hoses. One goes over to a table with my sink setup.



I'm using 1/4 turn gas valves now but plan on going to needle valves for greater control. I put my pump switches in an easy to reach location.



My version of the Hop Spider.

 
Here are some images of the rig I built. My main goal was to have on board storage and as much as possible in one place. After many many hours of research on this forum, and others, this is the final result.

What you don't see in the images below are the two 6 foot folding tables that clip on to the sides of the rig. With this setup I roll this baby out of the garage, hook up a water hose, run a cord to power up the pumps, and light the burners. I can be heating strike water inside 15 minutes.

Full View of rig. The surfaces on the right side fold down to shorten the overall length.



The tall end has a Storage Locker. The Bus tubs are used for storage but get pulled out and become sinks for cleaning and sanitizing.



I decided to go with two pumps, even though my HLT is up high.



I tucked a spare outlet and the water filter under the top.



With the water manifold I run one hose to the house and then attach additional hoses. One goes over to a table with my sink setup.



I'm using 1/4 turn gas valves now but plan on going to needle valves for greater control. I put my pump switches in an easy to reach location.



My version of the Hop Spider.

Looks great..man I really like the added storage...
As a side note....in photo #3 is that a chicken in the background? :)
 
That is one bad ass rig. What kind of lids are you using cause if it were mine all the water n grains would just fall out.
Is that what they call a gravity rig?
 
sloanfamilydsm - The water and grains would fall out? hu?

The lids I use for the HTL and BK are simply the cut-out from cutting off the top of the keg.

 

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