Thrifty RIMS canister from Nor Cal Brewing Solutions

[ba-brewer]

I have downloaded the electric-heat.xls file and ran the numbers on a step mash. It appears that I should be able to ramp temps @ <1 min/ degree, depending on the actual efficiency I'll end up with.

Is there a version of that file that has a step mash section or did you use the standard one? If so where did you find that spreadsheet?

What is the process to determine efficiency?

 

[Schreiner]

Is there a version of that file that has a step mash section or did you use the standard one? If so where did you find that spreadsheet?

What is the process to determine efficiency?

I found the file here:

gnipsel.com/beer/software/calculators/electric-heat.xls

I was using the "Time to Temperature with Electric Heat" table. I have no guess as to what the efficiency should be set at for a RIMS setup like this.

 

[ba-brewer]

I found the file here:

gnipsel.com/beer/software/calculators/electric-heat.xls

I was using the "Time to Temperature with Electric Heat" table. I have no guess as to what the efficiency should be set at for a RIMS setup like this.

Thanks for the link, I already found that one too,but did not see a step mashing section so was not sure.

I used Jay's numbers for 60 to 160 and 1100W and played with efficiency until the numbers matched. I got a value of 71% to do that in 2.5hr, seems like that would a reasonable starting point.

 

[Vandulus]

I looked at a previous suggestion in the thread for a clamp, but don't think it'll work mounting to a 3/4" thick board. Does anyone else have suggestions for a removable clamp/bracket to hold this RIMS in place?

 

[Toadies]

Packages received! Looks impressive, I'll be heading to lowes to work on building a rims stand.

What is the best way to clean this heating element? I was going to use TSP-PF on the rims tube then PBW, but not sure for the element?

Should I passivate the RIMS tube?

 

[Jaybird]

Packages received! Looks impressive, I'll be heading to lowes to work on building a rims stand.

What is the best way to clean this heating element? I was going to use TSP-PF on the rims tube then PBW, but not sure for the element?

Should I passivate the RIMS tube?

Heating element just clean with PBW is fine. YES passivate the RIMS tube. Star San at 2x will work very well for this.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Toadies]

Hi Jay can you share what settings you used to test mash temps for 1 hour? Reading the manual and it's all pretty confusing.

Will auto tune set all the settings automagically?

 

[Jaybird]

Hi Jay can you share what settings you used to test mash temps for 1 hour? Reading the manual and it's all pretty confusing.

Will auto tune set all the settings automagically?

Auto tune should do all that for you. I just used manual setting on the PID set the temp I wanted sat back and watched it maintain.

Cheers
Jay

 

[snackson]

Just ordered one last night while ordering other items. Did I need a RIMS tube? No, not really, but I am going to sell of my eHerms and figured this could come in handy at some point. Plus it's pretty darn hard to beat the price.

Editing this to add that I received it and it's a beauty. I am installing 1/2" NPTx1.5" triclover and connecting a filter directly to input to it, using a 2" element enclosure with https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016XMF0LW/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and going to use a mypin PID I've had lying around. I'll post pics this week.

 

[Toadies]

Finally got the Thrifty RIMS tube installed and did my first water test. Using 2.5 gallons of water I got a 75* to 154* ramp up in around 40 minutes. It did start at 63*, but forgot to start the timer. I was getting about 2 degrees per minute increase.

The Autotune went really quickly, started the autotune process at 147* with a set value of 154*. After the autotune, the heater would turn on for 5 seconds, off for 13 seconds. I'm not sure how PID works, but is this what I should expect?

The pump I was using was a cheap 12v solar water heater pump and the flow was as slow as I could throttle it, without stopping the flow.

I also included a Belkin Switch between the PID controller and heater as a way to manually turn the heater off/on.

@Jaybird, the plug to the heater was pretty hot to touch (not as hot as the tube @ 150*), is this normal? The Belkin switch, PID Controller, or the cord itself was not hot.

 

[Jaybird]

HELL YEAH!

Go get em tiger!

Cheers
Jay

 

[liljohn]

If I want to upgrade the PID to one with an SSR what would you recommend?

 

[Jaybird]

If I want to upgrade the PID to one with an SSR what would you recommend?

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=467

I think if I wanted to use a SSR controlled system built as a unit. That one looks robust.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Schreiner]

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=44

I bought this controller from Auber. Finally have the system together. Hopefully running some test trials tonight.

 

[TechyDork]

I bought this controller from Auber. Finally have the system together. Hopefully running some test trials tonight.

Which model did you go with? Are you using it for mash and boil control? I only ask because in my system I would want to use mine for PID mash temp control and then on manual for boil control in a eBIAB setup.

 

[user 204491]

For those of you that wound up purchasing this tube could you let me know what you wound up using to mount it?

Any pics of how you have it setup would be greatly appreciated as well!

 

[Vandulus]

For those of you that wound up purchasing this tube could you let me know what you wound up using to mount it?

Any pics of how you have it setup would be greatly appreciated as well!

After much debate, I ended up attaching the tube vertically to the pump via a 4 way stainless steel cross. I have the cross attached to the pump inlet (stainless steel head) where the RIMS is on the top, the thermowell on the left, the pump inlet on the right and a drain valve on the bottom. The pump is mounted on a wood platform which provides stability for it all.

 

[snackson]

Haven't mounted yet, but I picked some of these up in the past, http://m.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-4-in-x-1-1-8-in-x-2-in-Stainless-U-Bolt-30204/203018483

 

[user 204491]

Haven't mounted yet, but I picked some of these up in the past, http://m.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-4-in-x-1-1-8-in-x-2-in-Stainless-U-Bolt-30204/203018483

Thanks! I think that might work perfectly for my plans!

 

[JDXX1971]

I will probably get these when and if I go with a RIMS tube.

https://www.brewershardware.com/TC20MOUNT.html

 

[Toadies]

I ended up buying the aluminum pipe clamps someone posted here earlier. I bolted it to a 1.25" square tube.

I posted a picture in previous page.

 

[Schreiner]

Like this!

View attachment 1487722595697.jpg

 

[Schreiner]

Got these clamps:. ADJ Products MINI 360 2" WRAP AROUND LIGHT DUTY https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006EE64X8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[user 204491]

Thanks, everyone, for all the replies! Looks like, as is the case with most things in this hobby, there are lots of ways to skin this cat.

Currently my order of preference for mounting, mainly due to cost is:

1 - These U-bolts

2 - These clamps

3 - These other clamps

Currently my local Home Depot only has one of the u-bolts in stock, so hopefully they get more in soon!

 

[Jaybird]

Like this!

What a killer set up! How is that PID controller working out?

Cheers
Jay

 

[snackson]

Here's an option for mounting as well, http://visionstills.com/product/2-pipe-hanger/

 

[Schreiner]

What a killer set up! How is that PID controller working out?

Cheers
Jay

Thanks! It works fine. I bought a thermocouple for this set up too, and it was a pain to solder the mini RTD plug to it. Ended up bribing a friend who is a goldsmith to do that small work.

 

[Jaybird]

Here's an option for mounting as well, http://visionstills.com/product/2-pipe-hanger/

Those have been out of stock on that site forever...

Cheers
Jay

 

[MaltMaker]

When will the Thrifty RIMS kit be back in stock?

 

[Jaybird]

When will the Thrifty RIMS kit be back in stock?

So we had a HICKUP with our vendor but we have that resolved now and have some of the elements on the way. Should be here mid next week!

Cheers
Jay