srice
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2012
- Messages
- 262
- Reaction score
- 58
One of the more frustrating parts of my brew day has always been the time it takes to get my mash tun preheated and the water at the correct temp for mashing in. I'm a firm believer in having devices wait on me instead of the other way around. This project started as a way to fix that issue, but it quickly turned into a much better mash tun for me.
I have always mashed in a rectangular cooler with good success so I thought I would start there. The goal was to be able to set a temperature and timer before I went to bed and have the system kick on some time before I get up so that I could simply walk downstairs, mash in, have breakfast and get on with my brew day.
I looked at various options, but decided on a RIMS system with a custom controller. The hardware is pretty simple - a Chugger pump, a few valves and fittings, a BrewHardware RIMS tube, a 6000W water heater element running at 120V (1500W) and my original cooler.
The controller is built around an Auber SWA2451 PID controller. This PID controller includes a built in timer. Unfortunately, it does not offer exactly the mode I am looking for, but I was able to make it work.
To use the system, I fill it with my strike water and set the mode to ON - this enables a contactor which allows the pump switch to supply power to the pump. This allows me to get the pump primed and make sure all the valves are in the proper location. The mode is then set back to Timer and the PID is programmed for the strike temperature and the PID timer is set to count down the number of minutes until I want the system to start heating. Once the PID timer expires, the PID alarm relay closes and energizes the contactor allowing power to be delivered to the pump and the SSR. The system them begins to heat and settles in to the desired strike temp.
As an added benefit, once I mash in, I now have a fully functioning RIMS system controlling my mash.
I have always mashed in a rectangular cooler with good success so I thought I would start there. The goal was to be able to set a temperature and timer before I went to bed and have the system kick on some time before I get up so that I could simply walk downstairs, mash in, have breakfast and get on with my brew day.
I looked at various options, but decided on a RIMS system with a custom controller. The hardware is pretty simple - a Chugger pump, a few valves and fittings, a BrewHardware RIMS tube, a 6000W water heater element running at 120V (1500W) and my original cooler.
The controller is built around an Auber SWA2451 PID controller. This PID controller includes a built in timer. Unfortunately, it does not offer exactly the mode I am looking for, but I was able to make it work.
To use the system, I fill it with my strike water and set the mode to ON - this enables a contactor which allows the pump switch to supply power to the pump. This allows me to get the pump primed and make sure all the valves are in the proper location. The mode is then set back to Timer and the PID is programmed for the strike temperature and the PID timer is set to count down the number of minutes until I want the system to start heating. Once the PID timer expires, the PID alarm relay closes and energizes the contactor allowing power to be delivered to the pump and the SSR. The system them begins to heat and settles in to the desired strike temp.
As an added benefit, once I mash in, I now have a fully functioning RIMS system controlling my mash.
