Electric Brewing

[James P]

I have been researching the hell out of setting up the electric brewery and have been buying bits and pieces to get my rig underway, but my issue is what to do next... beside procrastinating!

I have 3kW elements for the HLT and kettle. I am thinking (as per Sparky's comments on the trademe thread) that a temp controller for HLT and a PID for kettle.

Ebay has a couple of cheap PID controllers with Ktype thermos. It also has some thermowells out of the US. (Bling!) While there is a NZ supplier (Thermowellsupply.com) but they are yet to reply to me. I could make my own out of SS tube and SS bolts drilled out, but thermowells / thermocouples make me horny.... I mean look cool and would make the job easier.

Firstly I would like to introduce Frankenframe. Once he was the backbone of a processing conveyor belt worked 20 years for the man, now he is the is reborn as my brewing frame (also known as Rodney). Angled galvanised steel, yet to be painted and completed. Two tiers, and will have wheels etc.

 

My idea for the rig (the frame is having the final welding done tonight as long as the welder doesn't drink too much of my beer):

And the controller:

I'm looking for feedback, in particular if you have ideas in relation to the controller. (Oops just realised I missed the pump control from the controller, nuts.)

More photos etc to come as Frankenframe goes through the motions to become my brewing rig.

:)

[Reviled]

Mate!! Looks awesome James, cant wait to see the finished product! Is this a herms set up?

[James P]

Thanks Rev, at the moment it's just a gravity feed "batch sparging platform". I just really wasn't sure which way to go, but yes ultimately HERMS.

[Sparky]

Hi James

My Kettle set up uses a controller that I have programmed to pulse one of two 1500 watt elements on and off at an adjustable rate that goes as low as a few milliseconds. The first element remains energised, whilst the second pulses on and off to maintain the boil.

The PID controller is me (the operator) as leading into the boil I have very little space to contain the hot break. I play with the break, letting it rise out above the Kettle and then switching the heat off or adjusting the pulse time length. Once the break has completed I adjust the pulse to maintain the boil and I can leave it unattended and start cleaning the Mash Tun etc.

A PID controller needs to be precisely tuned to the process and may (depending on tuning parameters) overshoot the setpoint and then try to correct, usually undershooting and then overshooting. It may take some time to tune the PID controller and get a satisfactory result.

My element comprises of two U shaped 1500 watt legs that I have supplied (via a RCD Earth Fault protection unit) using two 10A leads and plugs.

Frankenframe is looking grand. I'll get a couple of pics of mine and post 'em sometime.

Cheers

WayneO

[jt]

and I can leave it unattended and start cleaning the Mash Tun etc.

Yea, I'm uncontrolled and I have occaisonal boilovers whilst cleaning up etc.
The more contolled you are, the better I reckon

Good to see you about Mr O !

[James P]

I'll have to look at that then WayneO as I thought it was the easiest option. What type of controller are you using? My other option is an arduino based controller.

Yes fault protection is a must, forgot that too!

[Sparky]

I'm using an Unitronics Vision 230 programable controller.

It's a fairly serious little beast however I use it primarily to get the HLT up to temp before I get up on brew day and for temperature control. The 'clip on' I/O module has 3 analog inputs that I use for temperature probes in HLT, MLT and Kettle. I also use it for timing the various processes on my brew day.

[jt]

You're very chatty Mr O - been left home-alone to play ?

[Sparky]

Ha Ha - No such luck Mr T

[James P]

OMG.... that is serious. I'm thinking about one of these: Kiln PIDs. The alternative is a PID from Auberin in the states, with an RTD sensor.

As a geek I am still drawn to a arduino DIY project. There is heaps of information about doing this now so it would be quite easy.

[martin w]

if you're brewing +- 40 ltr brews i think a simple on off switch is ok for the bk. mine has a 2 kw and it only reaches a weak boil, i've just got a new 3kw i need to install.
i've been looking at the brewtroller to ultimately contrlol mine but at the moment all elements/pumps are wired through household light switches and just flick them on and off as necessary

[MrC]

I've started planning (on paper) an electric system also. What will your pre-boil volume be on that new system James?

Rodney?

[Chris Banks]

Im also planning an electric HLT setup with 2 x 2kw elements I managed to get one of these pid controllers http://www.rkcinst.co.jp/english/pdf_manual/imcb25e3.pdf
Any thoughts on its suitability?
Also hunting around for SSRs man they can be expensive!
That controller you are using Sparky looks like you said "A fairly serious little beast!"!