Homebrewdude's Control Panel

[homebrewdude76]

I have been planning and thinking about this for some time.
Looks like I will start on the panel.

Planning on 50amp with options to run 3 elements, 5 temp probes and 3 pumps.

 

[homebrewdude76]

This is my bottom layout. See any issues?

 

[homebrewdude76]

Heat sink mounting
and SSR layout.

I thought this was 1/4-8 screws for the SSR.
I need something smaller and a smaller tap.

 

[homebrewdude76]

I think my front is rather cramped.
Wonder if I should go with a bigger panel?

 

[tracyk]

Maybe they are 8-32 threads?

 

[homebrewdude76]

I sketched it in CAD.
Seems like plenty of room...

 

[homebrewdude76]

Maybe they are 8-32 threads?

I need to take the SSR to the big box store.
This would need to be a screw, not a cap screw.

 

[Saboral]

Looking good, I'm now looking at adding three elements to my Brutus 10 to substitute for propane in my brew shed. I'll be following this.

 

[Deece]

I have a feeling its going to get really tight in the panel, Also make sure you have enough room between components on the face most of them seem to have wiring that comes off them horizontally and may interfere with adjacent ones once wired.

 

[Pantherjon]

Nice layout, but, yeah, I think you need to get a larger enclosure..As Saoral stated it will get pretty cramped in there with wires coming off the sides of the switches and PIDs..

 

[homebrewdude76]

Any recommendations for an enclosure?

 

[Pantherjon]

Depends on how much you are will to spend..A couple of suggestions I can think of off the top of my head:

Auber has this one it's 16x16x8 for $118
and a Kal type box with holes already cut for $192...both come with heat sinks..

From Electric Brewing this one for $149..

Or for on the cheap Lowes has this one for like $30 that might be configured for your needs..But it is only 10x10x4

 

[homebrewdude76]

I own the 16 x 16 x 8

 

[homebrewdude76]

SSR mounted

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[homebrewdude76]

Bottom panel. I drilled one too many temp probe ports....

And my hole saw is not cutting element ports.

Not sure how to cut these

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[LarMoeCur]

The hole saw attempt looks dry. They cut better and longer if you use a little cutting oil. I set my drill to a medium speed. Fast seamed to smoke the oil, slow didn't cut much, medium kept the heat in check and cut pretty quickly.

 

[homebrewdude76]

I cant get the panel in my drill press. And my hole saw is used and abused. But I will try with oil.

 

[homebrewdude76]

Hole saw

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[homebrewdude76]

New hole saw and some oil. Cut like butter

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[AkBrew907]

Looking good.

 

[NedStackey]

Is it ok to use 40A SSRs when building a 50A panel? I only ask because I've been thinking of going with a 50A so I can scale up if needed. Trying to figure out what I need in parts.

 

[homebrewdude76]

One SSR per element. Each element draws less than 30amp. So the SSR is ok.

 

[branman]

Sub'd, I goota see how this thing unfolds! Looking good BTW.

 

[homebrewdude76]

This should work to split the 6 gauge to 10 gauge for the elements?

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[caseyw]

Yep that is a distribution block, that is its sole purpose in life

 

[homebrewdude76]

What about this for wiring the elements.

The neutral is not needed for the elements or anything, so I will terminate into some din terminal blocks.
Same for the ground, it will go to a row of DIN terminal blocks.

The small 6amp breaker is the 120v portion for the pumps and other control items needed.

 

[homebrewdude76]

Update on external items. Still working on a plan for the internal heavy wiring.

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[homebrewdude76]

Update on front fit up

 

[homebrewdude76]

Photo

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[homebrewdude76]

Top Row
Mash Reference Temp - Volt/Amp - Chilled wort Reference Temp
Second Row
Boil1/Off/Rims Rims/Off/Boil2 Alarm
Third Row
Boil1 Element, Rims Element, Boil2 Element Reset Timer
Fourth Row
Boil1 PID, Rims PID Boil2 PID and Timer
Fifth Row
Alarm on/off
Sixth Row
Pump1 Pump2 Pump3 and shut-off

 

[stlbeer]

Regarding post #26, are you planning to put both of your HOT legs through SSR's? You only need to have 1 leg of each pair got through the SSR. The other leg can go directly to the outlets.

If this was discussed earlier in the thread, my apologies.

Edit: Ah, I see you have only 3 SSR's. Nevermind...

 

[homebrewdude76]

Yes, My diagram is wrong. I have been reading up on the wiring.

 

[homebrewdude76]

This is where I am now. I also order 6 and 10gauge cord for the external cords

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[branman]

I like the front panel very "clean" looking

 

[homebrewdude76]

Have been working on wiring. So far so good.

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[homebrewdude76]

Comments on tags? Upper right chill temp was supposed to he one tag

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[homebrewdude76]

Kettles

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[Clawson]

Looking good!

 

[homebrewdude76]

Have the panel done, just waiting on my heating element order.

I swapped out the temp display to one I can adjust on the panel

View attachment 1472335676762.jpg

 

[Dfitz]

I have a feeling its going to get really tight in the panel, Also make sure you have enough room between components on the face most of them seem to have wiring that comes off them horizontally and may interfere with adjacent ones once wired.

What are your panel dimensions?
Edit: quoted wrong post.