Man its been a super long time since I've updated this with any real information!
It's been a slow process since I am trying to do this on a tight budget, but I now have done what I am calling "Phase 1".
Phase 1 includes the control panel that will control a boil kettle essentially.
Phase 2 will be in the future, and will be adding the HLT to the equation.
Phase 3 will be probably the most expensive part I'm thinking. I am planning for phase 3 to be the HERMs phase. I will be getting a custom stainless coil made that will double as a HERMS coil and a Chiller, and will be able to be moved from the HLT to the BK. Phase 3 will also include all of the pumps, hoses, and fittings that I will need to do all pumped transfers instead of the gravity that I will be using until this stage. I plan to add whirlpooling to both the HLT and the BK. The mash will be recirculated from my round cooler through the HERMs coil and back into the cooler.
Anyways, progress update portion.
I have my control panel all wired up, and is able to control the boil kettle element. I have also installed most of the necessary parts for the HLT side of the panel once I decided to buy the rest of the parts on the HLT kettle side of things (i.e. element, wiring, etc). I even have most of the control panel wired up for the HLT, so basically it will be just plugging in the HLT and good to go!
I just realized I have ZERO pictures of this! I'm terrible! I will get some pictures and add another post I think!! Yes pictures would be very helpful I'm deciding.
I have not brewed on my new setup yet, which is very sad. I need to find a entire free day to do this, since I want to make sure if any problems arise on its maiden voyage, i have the time to complete the brew still.
I have tested the setup with some water in the kettle and ran the autotuning procedures. I am slightly disappointed with the height at which I put my element in the BK. It is high enough where it needs just under 5 gallons of water to cover the element. Shouldn't really be an issue when boiling either 5 or 10 gallon batches, but I will be using this for strike water too, so I will need to make sure to keep the water level above the element, even if I only need a couple gallons for mash out. Not a huge deal, and I am stuck with it since I also punched the hole in my HLT for the element. Oh well.
I also am thinking about working on the wiring inside my control panel a little bit too. When i close the cover to the control panel, i think the PID pushes on the wires a little bit inside. Not very much, but I worry that between opening and closing the cover over many years the wires may start to wear. So I better just take care of this now I am thinking.
I'm kind of just rambling, and there are no pictures, so I doubt anyone is reading this anyhow ha. I will make sure the next post has pics.
