Timer or no Timer???
- Thread starter jhollist
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:
Monster Mash
Well-Known Member
I put two timers on mine, one for the HLT and one for the MT since the HLT takes longer to heat up. I wish I would have used digital timers but this is all I could find at the time at a decent price.
Timers are great time savers because the brewery is ready to go before you even get out of bed.
Timers are great time savers because the brewery is ready to go before you even get out of bed.
samc
Well-Known Member
I use a small digital timer which I can take with me to another part of the house so I can know when to come back, having it in the panel as well would be nice.
Monster Mash
Well-Known Member
After I posted I started thinking. What kind of timer are you talking about? One that automatically starts heating the water for you or one to time brewing sequences (hop adds..ect)?
The one Kal has in his electric brewery is $161. Seems expensive when it doesn't control anything. Kitchen timer are what, $10?
I used this last time I brewed:
http://www.online-stopwatch.com/interval-timer/
I used this last time I brewed:
http://www.online-stopwatch.com/interval-timer/
I like the online timer/stop watch.
My solution is to use a kitchen timer with remote temperature probe. The timer is held in place by its magnets so that it can be removed.
EarthBound
Well-Known Member
The ASL-51 is only $33.50. Since I was buying the PIDs from Auber anyway, the shipping for the timer was negligible. I find a panel-mounted timer to be extremely helpful (almost necessary once you're used to using it) to the brewing process.
kal
Well-Known Member
Thumbs up from me for using a timer. I like one that doesn't forget where it's at if power's lost.
A $10 kitchen timer works too of course. No right or answer as to what to use.
Kal
A $10 kitchen timer works too of course. No right or answer as to what to use.
Kal
csuf_kmcglynn
Member
i actually using a plc with a couple of internal timers and 1 digtal timer hooked up to 3 pid temp controllers for automation of a HERMS... i need to figure out how to do the hopping though...
all the timers need some type of input to start and an alarm signal is sent to the plc for each timer to signal end of stage
all the timers need some type of input to start and an alarm signal is sent to the plc for each timer to signal end of stage
x2
I plan on using the ASL-51 in my build. Prob not 'necessary', I have used an app on my cell phone in the past or an oven timer. A good kitchen timer will cost about the same and why not just have it incorporated with your panel for ease of use/ bling factor.
No control panel, so I use the timers on my cell phone/camera/mp3 player
Bigscience
Well-Known Member
I use a 4 way timer that I can take with me. I think the only benefit of a panel mount timer would be to start heating the strike water while I'm sleeping. I'm always don't for gadgetry though so I'm open to any other ideas.
ClaudiusB
Well-Known Member
If you want your PLC to automatically dispense the hops or just remind you to add the hops an input from the brew kettle is required.
A soon the brew kettle is at boiling temp your hop addition routine should start and do all the timing based on your hop schedule.
For every required addition turn on a buzzer, display a message or automatically dispense the hops.
My set-up is capable of all three.
I also have a external timer in case the system is down.
Automatic dispensing
Display with warning lamps and buzzer
External back-up timer with stack lights and buzzer
Cheers,
ClaudiusB
kal
Well-Known Member
I always enjoy looking at your pics ClaudiusB! Thanks for sharing!
... and to think that some people think I'm crazy for spending $160 on a timer.
Kal
... and to think that some people think I'm crazy for spending $160 on a timer.
Kal
Cheers,
ClaudiusB
Whoaa! Now that's a brewery, ..or still, no wait, it's a refinery....
That is one heck of an impressive setup! Makes mine look like junk.
canyonbrewer
Well-Known Member
i also use the ASL-51 mounted in my panel. Only thing it controls is a flashing light and buzzer to let me know the time is up.
no automated control...but very handy
no automated control...but very handy
One of the things I do to keep the wife happy is to show her all the systems out there that are way over the top than mine. Makes me seem a bit more tame in comparison. Kal's set up is the one I most often use for this and I had thought Kal's was the be all end all. I always wondered if he ever did the same thing, how he dealt with that and what system he would show her.
Now I know! Claudio that is one fantastic set up.
And thanks all for the comments on the timers. Based on the results of the poll it looks pretty darn even. I think at this point I am leaving the timer out of my panel and will be using a simple kitchen timer.
Cheers,
Jeff
Now I know! Claudio that is one fantastic set up.
And thanks all for the comments on the timers. Based on the results of the poll it looks pretty darn even. I think at this point I am leaving the timer out of my panel and will be using a simple kitchen timer.
Cheers,
Jeff
