Would this float switch work in my herms ?

[Wheelspin]

I've been wanting to install a float switch into my mash tun for some time.

The idea being that that during sparging, I can just set the float switch in the mash tun at the level that i want and it will switch the 12 v pump on and off as the level drops and rises.

The throw or level between on and off on this switch seems to be about 1 cm (measured with a multimeter) which I figure would be about correct. It's a two wire switch.

Any comments or a advise would be appreciated.

Hope pic is uploaded now.

 

[crane]

How do you plan to mount this so you can adjust the level for different amounts of grain?

 

[Wheelspin]

Not too sure yet.

But it would be some sort of adjustable arrangement that would clamp onto the side of the vessel and allow me to raise and lower the float switch.

 

[thefost]

I've been wanting to install a float switch into my mash tun for some time.

The idea being that that during sparging, I can just set the float switch in the mash tun at the level that i want and it will switch the 12 v pump on and off as the level drops and rises.

The throw or level between on and off on this switch seems to be about 1 cm (measured with a multimeter) which I figure would be about correct. It's a two wire switch.

Any comments or a advise would be appreciated.

Hope pic is uploaded now.

I've done pretty much what you are suggesting. I had the right angle version of that float switch and was using a bcs-462. I attatched the float switch to the end of my loc line sparge arm. When the float switch turned on, I'd have the pump turn on for a minute and then recheck to make sure the switch had turned off.

I eventually moved away from it because I had some issues. First, the float switch got stuck in the up (pump off) position once because the wort made its sticky. Another time, my pump lost prime during one of the turn on cycles, but luckily I was there to fix it. Also I had problems keeping the flow levels consistent. I decided the extra complication of this type of set up wasn't worth it and went back to batch sparging.

Despite my misgivings here though, this set up usually worked pretty well. I was just never completely comfortable with it and was trying to go with the most foolproof set up possible.

 

[Wheelspin]

Thanks thefost. This is the sort of collective knowledge/feedback that makes Homebrew Talk great.

There are other versions of this float that probably won't hang up due to sticky wort. See pics. How do you guys think these might will work ?

 

[Mellman]

I plan on using that switch (ebay has it for ~$5). I've seen it in action on a morebeer system with the morebeer sparge arm, i plan on making one similar - http://morebeer.com/products/ultimate-sparge-arm.html

from what i've seen, no issues with sticky wort.

 

[Wheelspin]

Great - Plse let me know how it goes