The "Strange" Brewery.. Another Build w/tons o' pics..

[JamieT]

Well primary contruction / wiring / and plumbing are complete.. Worked all weekend to get it done.. Started static water tests last night about 9:30.. A couple of small leaks as I expected.. Nothing major..

Didn't take the time to get any new pics because I was solely focused on reaching static water testing...

Before the pics come... I plumbed the entire rig with CPVC.. I know it's not at cool as Stainless or copper but it has 2500 times less thermal conductivity and with all of the pipe on this thing I wanted to avoid building a giant radiator with all the metal plumbing..

Go ahead and take your shots.. I knew I was gonna get some flack for the CPVC.. Lets have it..

 

[IrregularPulse]

Maximum service rating for CPVC is 200°F. If you're not worried about going 10-20 degree over that I see CPVC as easier to work with than copper and what not. Not to mention cheaper and not having to worry about burning yourself on it.

 

[JamieT]

Maximum service rating for CPVC is 200°F. If you're not worried about going 10-20 degree over that I see CPVC as easier to work with than copper and what not. Not to mention cheaper and not having to worry about burning yourself on it.

This system only handles the mash.. Boil is separate.. I'm not worried about getting to 200degf...

 

[JKoravos]

I'd still insulate it. IMO, that's one of the most neglected aspects I see in homebrew rigs. Especially if you're all electric, EVERYTHING should be insulated.

 

[JamieT]

All Plumbing is fully insulated.. Actually a more tedious job than the plumbing itself.

 

[Sizz]

Before the pics come... I plumbed the entire rig with CPVC.. I know it's not at cool as Stainless or copper but it has 2500 times less thermal conductivity and with all of the pipe on this thing I wanted to avoid building a giant radiator with all the metal plumbing..

Go ahead and take your shots.. I knew I was gonna get some flack for the CPVC.. Lets have it..

You going to paint the piping? Need pics!

Edit: Oh, nevermind about painting, just saw the part about insulation.

 

[LiMbTwIsTeR]

Here are a few new pics from the last few days progress...

Is that a coors light!?

 

[JKoravos]

Is that a coors light!?

Oh, no! Bad brewery build mojo!

 

[JamieT]

Oh, no! Bad brewery build mojo!

WHOA>>>>!!!! Slow Down now.... I was spitting in the can... Dug it out of the garage trash, a neighbor brought it over to play darts... I could never defile the build with such an offense...

 

[LiMbTwIsTeR]

WHOA>>>>!!!! Slow Down now.... I was spitting in the can... Dug it out of the garage trash, a neighbor brought it over to play darts... I could never defile the build with such an offense...

*wipes sweat off head* you almost scared this noob off the forum!

 

[JKoravos]

WHOA>>>>!!!! Slow Down now.... I was spitting in the can... Dug it out of the garage trash, a neighbor brought it over to play darts... I could never defile the build with such an offense...

Damn, close call there!

 

[JamieT]

My Bad Guys.. Ill be more careful with my neighbors garbage from now on.. Would be able to live with myself if I scared anyone off..

 

[JamieT]

I declare that I am finished.... For now... Tomorrow is brew day!

 

[HVBrewtality]

she shure iz purdy!

 

[JamieT]

:rockin::fro:

 

[IrregularPulse]

very nice. Brewcast of brew day??

 

[JKoravos]

Good luck, let us know how she purrs!

 

[Sizz]

Congrats! What insulation did you use and how did you attach it?

 

[Grimsawyer]

That is a work of art, although... MORE PICS!!! C'mon man! Ya just made some beautiful art. Can't just tease us with one pic of the final product of the sum of your time invested in this project. LOL! :rockin:

 

[JamieT]

very nice. Brewcast of brew day??

No thanks.. I prefer to make my mistakes in private...

Congrats! What insulation did you use and how did you attach it?

Wrapped the Kegs with a 1" thick foam yoga mat from wally world, spray adhesive works well to hold it in place along with a couple loops of Aluminum tape. Covered the Yoga Mat with Reflectix from Lowes, again glued with spray adhesive and taped with Aluminum tape at the seam. Proper sizing of the mat and the Reflectix allowed a nice clean tuck and roll top and bottom.

That is a work of art, although... MORE PICS!!! C'mon man! Ya just made some beautiful art. Can't just tease us with one pic of the final product of the sum of your time invested in this project. LOL! :rockin:

More Pics to come shortly..

 

[eccsynd]

Good Luck! Can't wait to hear how the maiden voyage goes.

Where did you source your valves?

 

[vballdrummer]

OMG - nice work, although we haven't heard from Jamie since the 1st. I hope the inagural day went well

 

[JamieT]

Sorry for the absence... First Brew went spectacularly well.. Nailed all the temps and held perfectly.. Efficiency was higher than I expected so I overshot OG a touch, but no worries.. Takes about an hour to get everything warmed up and ready to go but after that it is pretty much hands off... Gonna brew again this evening..

Valves came from "ValvesforProjects".. They are an Ebay vendor and can get the viton seals..

 

[TimWeber]

Awesome build!

I've been trying to find an electronics enclosure like the one you use for you SSRs and controllers. Do you remember where you bought it and how much it cost?

 

[saq]

This is a work of art and is making me rethink my brewing rig with propane...
Your electrical work is impressive, I wish I knew enough of this **** to make sense of what you have going on and build my own **** (says the IT guy).

 

[EarthBound]

*wipes a single tear*...

You promised more pics...

 

[Teufelhunden]

The only thing I would be worried about with this brewing setup is that it would come to life and decide to kill me and my family. Other than that, awesome setup!

That was some funny sh*t!