50 amp sorta budget build

[John53189]

I have been in the pool/spa business for 20 years. I am no stranger to water / electricity and heating elements, most decent sized spas have a 5.5kw heater in the spa pack (or brewers would know it as the spa panel). With that being said, here is my sorta budget eherms build.
Here are the budget items:
My pin pid for mash temp
10 gallon Rubbermaid cooler
10.5 gal polar ware pots
Polysulfone chugger pumps (I know not $25 pos eBay pumps, but not stainless)
Switchcraft speakon high voltage connectors ( controversial )
Hydro farm 6"inline fan (not vortex) modified into a cheap kitchen hood
Homemade XLR to RTD (most inexpensive RTD threaded into a quick disconnect)
30 amp wall switch to manually turn off elements
20 amp wall switch with led for pumps
1/2" black pipe wall mount
Self stick tile wall behind kettles $15 + $10 pine trim
Brew stand with cement board top $20 (next to existing counter / cabinet)

"Regular" items:
2 camco 5.5 ULWD elements
2 auber syl2352 pid controllers
1 auber beer brewing timer
Auber control box with 2 precut pid holes
Auber 40amp ssr's controlling 30 amp contactors
Stainlessbrewing.com herms coil and stainless fittings

Still need a few stainless barb fittings to replace the brass
Need to get some good labels made up also...

Thank to all on HBT for their reviews on ebrewery products and processes. I read a lot of good threads on this forum for great ideas. I spent some time wiring and designing on the fly. Kinda wish I had more to do now, I have been working on this for the past 2 months straight. I started collecting parts a year ago.

 

[nutty_gnome]

I like the economy of your build. My question is why not go with a 1/8 3 wire headphone jack instead of the xlr for the RTD?

 

[John53189]

I had 3 microphone cables ( used to be an avid musician). The cables for the RTD sensors and the pumps hang 2' out of the panel. My wiring for the pumps, and exhaust fans were reclaimed from new 120v pool lights. I did not discover the quick disconnect RTD sensors until after I bought the others...when they fail I will get the quick disconnects from Auber.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Also - where are the PVC pipes going and what is their purpose?


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[John53189]

They are drain lines to the floor drain. There is a valve on the bottom of each pump so you can prime the pump or drain and clean your kettles without clogging the pump. I have a water source above the kettles so you can clean/fill in place.

 

[F_R_O_G]

one day, i'll be like that. mine isn't as cool but i just finished it today...

3rd post down https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/putting-subpannal-shed-sticker-shock-wire-456588/index4.html

 

[southwoodbrew]

I really like some of the ingenious designs used in this build, such as the drains below the pumps to the floor drain. Good job!

 

[John53189]

I really like some of the ingenious designs used in this build, such as the drains below the pumps to the floor drain. Good job!

Thanks...I just see that as being lazy. Work smarter not harder.

 

[John53189]

Few updates...quick disconnect sensors from Auber last year, then I added a grain mill. Cereal killer mounted to a quick homemade stand from shelf stock and 2x2 pine. Got the motor from All American Ale Works. This year I changed my mash tun to a 25 gallon economy AIH one weld kettle (scratch & dent!). That works great for big beers, so the next step was a 20.5 gal bayou classic converted to a boil kettle. Just recently I added a porcelain tile top, and added a drainage system. The tiles were cheap, so we'll see how it holds up. I used unsanded grout, and the drain is along the back wall, pitched to a 90 and out the front. The tiles on the end of the counter are heavily pitched back to the drain, so I can basically hose it down. Drains like a champ! I really couldn't see ripping it all out to put in a stainless table. Plus there is a lot of bottle storage underneath...