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  • Micro Brewery

    Nothing like good camouflage. I started on a medium sized micro brewery a couple weeks ago. The first phase will be the controller. Kinda fancy.

    http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-1

    And electrically intense.

    http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/control-panel-part-2

    I'm building the 50amp version. I finally got all of the parts and started laying out the panel.

    I got a smokin deal on my panel. Can't beat free!



    A few of the inner components being lined up to assure there are no conflicts with the PIDs. I'm using 80amp SSRs and a beefy heatsink, 50amp contactor relays for dual element kettles. This controller is rated at 11k.



    I'm also splitting the service to run a 60 gallon boiler @12k. These will run separate. The two functions will be switched by a 3 way switch Brew/Off/Aux.



    I still have to by kettles, pumps and a couple freezers to ferment & lager. I have three 15 gal. kegs so far, I have my eyes peeled for 4 or 5 1/6 barrel kegs, (Sanke Type D)

    Wife asks "Why cant you just find normal hobbies"....
    sigpic

    Don't let your meat loaf...

    http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

  • #2
    Niiiice. I wanna play with you!
    In God I trust- All others pay cash...
    Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
    Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

    Comment


    • #3
      grab yer football helmet and head on over.....
      sigpic

      Don't let your meat loaf...

      http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

      Comment


      • #4
        ooohhh... I like gadgets with beer involved...


        Drinks well with others



        ~ P4 ~

        Comment


        • #5
          That's a serious homebrewery. Are you starting from scratch?

          You're going to need to vent a lot of evaporation from your boils.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by DangerDan View Post
            Wife asks "Why cant you just find normal hobbies"....
            What could possibly be more normal?

            By the way...Way over my head compared to the 5 gallon batches of ale I used to make...I got no idea what the heck yer talkin about...

            Good luck and I cant wait to se it all come together...
            Craig
            sigpic

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by scotth View Post
              That's a serious homebrewery. Are you starting from scratch?

              You're going to need to vent a lot of evaporation from your boils.
              Yep, from scratch... All I have at the moment is a panel full of parts, an empty garage and an unused 100amp service...

              For those the know this type of system its called an eHERMS. From what I gather its the tits for breweing. I have an ebook telling me how to build and run it. We'll see how that works.
              sigpic

              Don't let your meat loaf...

              http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

              Comment


              • #8
                Nice control panel. I don't know much about the specifics of the electric rig, but I brew on gas, and other than heating how you heat the liquid, it's pretty much the same.

                Originally posted by DangerDan View Post
                I still have to by kettles, pumps and a couple freezers to ferment & lager. I have three 15 gal. kegs so far, I have my eyes peeled for 4 or 5 1/6 barrel kegs, (Sanke Type D)
                There's a ton of stuff you're going to need:
                tubing for your pumps and for your kegs and CO2
                Hydrometer and/or refractometer
                auto siphon to get liquid from fermenter to keg (unless you're going to push it with CO2)
                small scale for hops
                large scale for grains

                With that much amperage, I assume you're making 10 gallon or bigger batches. How are you going to deal with yeast? You'll have to buy a lot or grow it, so you might want a stir plate, stir bar and Erlenmeyer flasks.

                With 10 gallon batches it pays to buy your grain in bulk. Then you'll need a grain mill too.

                Bama BBQ and I are both members at Homebrewtalk.com, if you get hung up on anything, you can get answers there.

                How to Brew is a good basic brewing book, you can buy an updated copy, or use it online.

                Please keep us posted with the build!

                Comment


                • #9
                  I find all this brewing and distilling amusing... considering the last time I met Dan..he did not drink

                  But that was OK... I took care of his share...hence the "football helmet" comment
                  In God I trust- All others pay cash...
                  Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
                  Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Richtee View Post
                    I find all this brewing and distilling amusing... considering the last time I met Dan..he did not drink

                    But that was OK... I took care of his share...hence the "football helmet" comment
                    I beg your pardon sir... I still don't drink. Just a taste for quality assurance purposes...


                    Originally posted by scotth View Post
                    Nice control panel. I don't know much about the specifics of the electric rig, but I brew on gas, and other than heating how you heat the liquid, it's pretty much the same.

                    There's a ton of stuff you're going to need:
                    tubing for your pumps and for your kegs and CO2
                    Hydrometer and/or refractometer
                    auto siphon to get liquid from fermenter to keg (unless you're going to push it with CO2)
                    small scale for hops
                    large scale for grains

                    With that much amperage, I assume you're making 10 gallon or bigger batches. How are you going to deal with yeast? You'll have to buy a lot or grow it, so you might want a stir plate, stir bar and Erlenmeyer flasks.

                    With 10 gallon batches it pays to buy your grain in bulk. Then you'll need a grain mill too.

                    Bama BBQ and I are both members at Homebrewtalk.com, if you get hung up on anything, you can get answers there.

                    How to Brew is a good basic brewing book, you can buy an updated copy, or use it online.

                    Please keep us posted with the build!
                    Yeah I already read those forums. I'm more into a forum that specializes in this type of brewing.

                    I have everything you've listed already with exception of the pumps and hoses/fittings. I realize I have quite a ways to go, I still need to prepare an area in my garage as well.

                    This controller will push 30+ gallons and with the 60 gallon boiler more than that.

                    Pardon me. Do you want your BBQ with Pepsi or without?
                    sigpic

                    Don't let your meat loaf...

                    http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by DangerDan View Post
                      Edit:
                      I have everything already with exception of TIME
                      Its seems I keep getting sent away with work to parts unknown... One day I'm working local (within 2 hours of home) Next day I'm 5 or 600 miles away. All I've gotten done in the past three weeks is cut outs.. Only 4 more left for meters across the bottom and I can start filing/sanding and polishing to bring back a good finish.



                      So far everything seems to fit perfect. I'll be installing components in no time now... Once I get back home
                      sigpic

                      Don't let your meat loaf...

                      http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        wow...can't wait to see more updates along the way!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Wow! Simply Wow! Seems like a normal hobby to me!
                          Smokem if you got em

                          Yoder YS640
                          Weber EP-310 Gasser Grill
                          A-Maz-N-Pellet-Smoker (AMZNPS)
                          A-Maz-N-Tube-Smoker (AMZNTS)
                          Frogmats
                          Maverick ET 732
                          Super Fast Purple Thermopen


                          Deano

                          "May the thin blue smoke be with you"

                          sigpic

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I've had very little time to put toward my control panel lately. Typically I return home from work travels and put in a few hours here & there as home time allows. I've finally completed my cut outs and was able to paint the control box.



                            I really would have liked to keep the stainless finish but even after taping off the jig saw It left too many scuffs to polish out the finish. My biggest obstacle was all of the cut outs. It probably could have been done with a dremel but this painted finish doesn't look too bad so I went with it.

                            Here I have my components installed less the volt meters for the boiler circuits.



                            The functions are separated by a three way switch. This switch will operate the contact relays to each circuit.

                            Next trip home I'll start installing the internal components. Unfortunately while cutting out for the meters I hadn't realized the meters were on two different sizes (up top for the beer function vs the lower meters boiler function I had already ordered. Doh!!!! )
                            In any event, I had to re-order meters to fit the cut outs and those will come soon.

                            I would also like matching meters on the upper function so I'll be on the hunt for those as well.
                            sigpic

                            Don't let your meat loaf...

                            http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Micro Brewery

                              Looks like a great start. Nice layout and cuts.

                              I brew on a much smaller scale the cheap and easy way 5 gal at a time. I admire these systems but I'm more hands on and basic. That's why I cook on a kettle and WSM with no computer/blower. Just vents and lump.

                              I'll be watching. Go for it!
                              ~ May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead. ~ Dwain

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