120V 8G HERMS HLT Build

[USAFSooner]

I'm making the leap from RIMS to HERMS. I already have a great mash tun and controller setup. I brew 5G batches so a HERMS built around a 2000W heater in a 8G HLT should be plenty.

First some minor modifications to the Mash Tun to relocate the thermometer probe. Borrowing inspiration from Kal's rig for placement. Added in a stainless T, 1/2" to 1/4" bushing from Brewhardware and a 2" probe from Auber Instruments.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422760699.369506.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422760733.882030.jpg

Now to build up the HLT. Starting from the bottom up I used a step bit to bore a 7/8" hole and then dimpled and silver soldered a coupling in place (see Joe Fishers YouTube video for a great how to).

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422760964.038979.jpg

Next I used a step bit to bore an 1-3/8" hole 90 degrees offset from the first fitting. Then I used a 2" triclover solder fitting from Brewhardware and Bobby's soldering technique and jig per his YouTube video. A 2000W CAMCO element was installed into a 2" triclover Brewhardware enclosure.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422761184.186064.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422761231.100732.jpg

Next a second fitting was installed for the bottom coil port exactly like the drain port. A 1/2" to 3/8" compression fitting was installed on the kettle side of this port. A second port above this one will be installed once the coil arrives from StainlessBrewing and a measurement can be made.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422761386.002214.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1422761500.722234.jpg

More to follow when the coil arrives.

Product idea for someone:

Make ball valve handles that are labeled:

Wort -->

 

[USAFSooner]

HERMS coil input fitting attached. Had to go as high as I could on the pot to accommodate the coil. Word to the wise, get both fittings installed before ordering the coil.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1423883283.941956.jpg

HERMS coil mounted. 3/8", 8" diameter, 50'. If I had to do over I would have asked StainlessBrewing to make it a couple inches shorter like maybe a ~40' coil. I managed to get it to fit.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1423883347.179588.jpg

Water/Leak testing. Everything passed.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1423883568.346488.jpg

I had to make another hose with Camlocks. If you are running a HERMS with a wort pump and a water pump with the HLT and MLT you will need 5 hoses. I highly recommend BrewHardwares camlocks and clear silicon tubing.

My simple PID controller, reused the same one from my RIMS rig and added a Volt/Ammeter.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1423883768.738911.jpg

Almost ready to brew a beer on this rig as soon as I add a whirlpool port to the top of the HLT to use to recirculate the hot water and fill the HLT. Adding another whirlpool port to the top of the boil kettle at the rim as well as a water/wort in port.

 

[USAFSooner]

Also adding a Sight Gauge and Thermometer port to the HLT to monitor temp and level.

Anyone have any experience with the horizontal float switches? I'm considering getting one so it opens the SSR control circuit on the PID and kills the element when water drops too low.

 

[BrewHogDeluxe]

The float switch should work great for you. There are tons of them on eBay.

 

[USAFSooner]

Grabbed one of these.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424006815.410128.jpg

 

[lschiavo]

Good call on the float switches. I would certainly have burned up a few elements by now without them. Especially in the HLT.

 

[USAFSooner]

Float Switch arrived today. Made a cable for it using some old headphone wire and an XLR Jack set. Covered it up with some expandable sleeving for protection. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424397263.404007.jpg

Even with a half coupling though it keeps the float from going down when screwed in. I'll have to do a weldless install with a set of nuts and washers and rubber gaskets.

 

[USAFSooner]

Float switch installed, sight glass installed, whirlpool port installed. Ready for a test batch!

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424819655.347350.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424819667.161735.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424819680.380576.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424819694.565388.jpg

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424819721.555707.jpg