HERMS with Gas Burners?

[Stevorino]

Hey All--

I'm finally getting around to building myself a brew stand (as opposed to just placing my keggles on random objects around the house).

As part of this project, I'm considering throwing in some HERMS for recirculating my mash.

I understand how it works, however I'm yet to find a good walkthrough on how the Automatic Temperature Control systems work with gas burners. I've seen some configurations with Pilot burners, some without and most with two Love Temperature controls -- can anyone shed some light for me?

Thanks!

[Mylo]

I am doing the same thing. I am asssuming that you (as I) have ruled out the direct fired mash option. I have been designing my control panel which consists of many SPDT switches. I have one on the "wort pump". ON-OFF-AUTO. The auto setting will be driven off of a love controller in the mash. This is the default setup for the B3 auto step mash systems. I will also have a love controller on the HLT. I am doing an intermittent pilot on that burner which also has an ON-OFF-AUTO - with it's auto setting controlled by another love controller. This way, I can do constant recirculation, and set the mash temp by controlling the HLT water around the HERMS coil. I intend to put inline thermometers on the inlet and output of the coil. Love probe will be located in the MT - low enough for a 5 gallon batches worth of grist and water.

The intermittent pilot systems are the equivalent of the "full digital package" in B3. They are pricy ($150-200) - but they make the whole HLT "hands off". Apply power - burner comes on. Cut power - burner turns off. And no standing pilot.


Mylo

Mylo

[Stevorino]

So how does the pilot light itself if it isn't standing?

[Mylo]

So how does the pilot light itself if it isn't standing?

It's got a microprocessor and circuitry to automatically light the pilot (piezo electrically). Then when the mp senses the lit pilot, it opens the main valve. If the pilot doesn't light within a specified time, then the whole thing shuts down. It's the same device that they put into gas fireplaces. Honeywell makes a "retrofit" kit to convert a standing pilot into an intermittent one. I got mine on eBay for $100.


Mylo

[Stevorino]

So how does the pilot light itself if it isn't standing?

It's got a microprocessor and circuitry to automatically light the pilot (piezo electrically). Then when the mp senses the lit pilot, it opens the main valve. If the pilot doesn't light within a specified time, then the whole thing shuts down. It's the same device that they put into gas fireplaces. Honeywell makes a "retrofit" kit to convert a standing pilot into an intermittent one. I got mine on eBay for $100.


Mylo

So you have a temp sensor on both your pilot light and HLT?

See, the thing I'm trying to figure out is for a fraction of automating a gas HERMS, I could create an Electric system...So difficult to decide

[Mylo]

The "temp sensor" for the intermittent pilot is the thermocouple on the pilot itself. That system is a "black box". Love controllers sensors are elsewhere in the system.


Mylo

[Stevorino]

The "temp sensor" for the intermittent pilot is the thermocouple on the pilot itself. That system is a "black box". Love controllers sensors are elsewhere in the system.


Mylo

So is there an auto sparker on that thing?

[Mylo]

Yes.... Google "Honeywell Y8610F 5003 Universal Retrofit Intermittent Pilot Gas Burner Ignition Kit". The kit includes the controller, the valve, and the ignitor. The pilot itself is not included in the kit and you will need one of those, too.


Mylo