So control panels are super intimidating.

[ddcurtis]

I have to agree with Kal on price. I built my own Kal clone earlier this year. After purchasing everything I really didn't save that much but I sure did enjoy the process and following the great instructions he provides. For those that don't want to take on the build themselves Kals pre built options are great. I love this setup and enjoy brewing more than ever before.

 

[SookeBrewing]

Prices are including shipping. As I mentioned, I bought some alternate parts (noted with *) in some cases, so this is not a complete "Kal Clone"

Enclosure: - $100 - Ebay (Pioneer Breaker)
PIDs and Timeer - $183 (Auber Instruments)
2x 40a SSRs w/ Heatsink - $23.72 (Amazon) *
Volt Meter - $16 - Ebay seller anna758595
Amp Meter - $16 - Ebay seller lonxinelectronics
Red LED - $7 - Ebay seller Alpinetech
Blue LED - $7 - Ebay seller Aplinetech
2x Green LEDs - $14 - Ebay seller Aplinetech
2x Yellow LEDs - $3.29 - Ebay seller buonshopping
Buzzer - $2.49 - Ebay seller coolcheapworld
3 pos switch - $ 3.50 - Ebay seller coolcheapworld
6x 2 pos switches - $21 - Ebay seller coolcheapworld
Keyed switch - $5 - Ebay seller coolcheapworld
Red pushbutton - $3.59 - Ebay seller jumbo4u
3x 3pin XLR chassis connectors - $10.80 - ebay seller msbat
2x L6-30 outlets - $70 - Amazon
2x L5-15 outlets - $28.60 - Amazon
L14-30 outlet - $ 31.63 - Amazon
2x 8pos terminal strips - $7.09 Amazon
Wire clips - $6.48 - Amazon
JB weld - $6 - Amazon
3x DPST relays $32.55 - Future Electronics *
2x doorbell transformers - $20.74 - Amazon
2x adjustable power supply - $11.90 - Ebay seller marcmart.home

So, that all totals to $631.38 - again, including taxes and shipping. Tack on another $20 for package receiving at a facility in Point Roberts WA - most of the US sellers sent stuff there, most of the Chinese sellers mailed directly to me.

So, as far as I can tell, the parts I used were identical to Kal's links on Ebay and Amazon (which I used whenever I could) with the exceptions noted above. The heat sinks on the SSRs appear the same as the "Standard" 40 amp heat sinks described on Kal's site.

I haven't priced out the wires, terminals, or nuts and bolts, so I'm unsure on that, but I'm willing to bet it won't be more than $60-75. I was going to buy the terminals with the Amazon order but had trouble finding the right sizes and quantities (ie, I didn't need 500 pcs!)

I also skipped the handles - didn't think they were necessary.

Some other deals I found:
GFCI cord - $43 shipped from Hosfelt Electric - this took a lot of searching.
Camco elements $41.70 from Amazon (for two)
Auto-range multi-meter - $28.54 - Ebay seller smtzone, it's way nicer than I expected for the price.

Probably my favourite deal is the cords and plugs for the elements - 2xL6-30 plugs and 9 feet (on each plug) of the exact cord that Kal specifies were only $34 shipped from Ebay seller bb-breakers.

So, while it's not an exact clone, I feel the "important" parts are all the same. And if I have to replace a cheap amazon SSR down the road, well, I guess I'll learn my lesson then.

 

[Gaaargh]

Saw your pic on reddit. Thanks for the comprehensive gear list.

 

[kal]

I also skipped the handles - didn't think they were necessary.

You don't think you need them until the day when it the panel falls over on itself by accident while you were working on it (it's front heavy) and breaks off a couple of buttons (ask me how I know). They're like seat belts.

They're more useful while you're building and moving it around than once it's up on the wall. The top ones are a god-send just to be able to carry the heavy *@#$& thing around. It's almost 40 lbs and without any handles it's a pain to manage.

Don't forget the panel tags too, and spray paint, silicone, etc.

Kal

 

[BadNewsBrewery]

+1 on the front handles. You never realize how often the thing winds up on its face while you're working on it...