Beer Forum

I sent the following in as feedback. Thought it would be appropriate to post here as well.


Last week's show may have been the most interesting and useful I've
heard yet. Or, would have been useful a year ago when I started
designing my own electric brewery. As it is, I brewed my first batch
on it 2 weeks ago, a Belgian Pale. I was extremely interested to see
how Kal solved some of the problems I ran into during the build so I
checked out theelectricbrewery.com and, WOW! Not only did he do a
great job on the brewery but, the way the whole project was
meticulously cataloged is awe inspiring.

Surprisingly, our two designs are eerily similar. I think Kal and I
must have drawn on a lot of the same research. I will say that Kal
did a very professional job, much more so than I did.

That being said, HOLY BALLS does that guy know how to spend money!
Don't get me wrong I spent plenty, both in money and time, but we're
not building a fucking piano here. I know we all want stainless, but
there is nothing wrong with brass and copper. And that control
panel! Impressive, but it cost as much as my entire system.

Look, the guy did a great job. No doubt about that. My issue is I
fear that many brewers who are interested in building an electric
brewery will be overwhelmed by the price tag or the sheer enormity of
the project. I just want people to know that it can be done cheaper,
easier, and faster and make beer just as good. If there is anything
I've learned from you guys (ok, mostly from John Palmer), it's that
you don't need fancy equipment to brew great beer.

-Labmechanic

Nice job. I especially liked the clean lines you got on the integral chiller.

Though I gotta admit I can't identify the contents of your power distribution and control box

One thing I want to point out, if those are march pumps that most of us use, they should not be mounted that way, they should be mounted horizontally, at least according to the manufacture. Unless that has changed.

Also, if you did it cheaper, do you have parts list and where and wiriing diagrams?

Nice work!!

BrewBum wrote:Also, if you did it cheaper, do you have parts list and where and wiriing diagrams?

Nice work!!

+1 I would be interested in seeing that

BrewBum wrote:One thing I want to point out, if those are march pumps that most of us use, they should not be mounted that way, they should be mounted horizontally, at least according to the manufacture. Unless that has changed.

Also, if you did it cheaper, do you have parts list and where and wiriing diagrams?

Nice work!!

I didn't know that about the pumps. Anyone know why? Mine work great, I mounted them that way to allow the air out for easier priming, but if it screws up the magnetic drive I'll move them.

As far as a parts list, I don't have one put together yet. That's why I was so impressed with the detail in Kal's site, it must have taken countless hours to list and provide links for every do-dad.

I did my build on the cheap, so I probably spent just as much time price shopping for all of my do-dads, so it might provide a good counterpoint to Kal's list. I'll see what I can come up with.

Cliff wrote:Nice job. I especially liked the clean lines you got on the integral chiller.

Though I gotta admit I can't identify the contents of your power distribution and control box

Inside the controls box you'll see 2 temp controllers a 30A E/M contactor and a 25A SSR w/heatsink and fan

http://www.seafrost.com/809-PUMP.pdf

If you read in the installation the oil ports should be on top, hence the drive shaft would be horizontal. I can only assume this aids in keeping the motor properly lubricated.

If you google Horizantal mounting of march pumps you will see a ton of forum articles on tons of forums. Check it out.

So, here's the list. Instead of a list of what I did though, I made a list of what I would do now if I did it again. You'll notice a lot more stainless than I used originally. I've found that there are many sources for stainless fittings now that are as cheap and sometimes cheaper than brass and copper so I stand corrected. Some things stainless however, are still a bit hard to choke down. I couldn't justify $800 for 2 SS 809 March pumps when half that for brass or quarter that for plastic will do the same job.


HERMS Parts List
Qty Description Supplier Part No. Price/Unit Cost

Electrical
2 Temp controller http://www.auberins.com/ SYL-2362 $41.95 $83.90
2 1/2" NPT x 4" K type T/C http://www.auberins.com/ TC-K100M1/2NPT $9.50 $19.00
2 T/C Panel Connector http://www.auberins.com/ TCCON $5.26 $10.52
3 Switch https://www.alliedelec.com/ 676-3221 $7.70 $23.10
2 LED Indicator https://www.alliedelec.com/ 444-0163 $7.71 $15.42
2 Recepticle for Pump https://www.alliedelec.com/ 689-3343 $0.55 $1.10
2 Plug for Pump https://www.alliedelec.com/ 627-4000 $17.23 $34.46
2 Fuse Holder for Pump Receptle https://www.alliedelec.com/ 740-0634 $2.41 $4.82
1 Receptacle for Element http://www.homedepot.com/ 248041 $19.80 $19.80
2 Plug for Element http://www.homedepot.com/ 589501 $18.90 $37.80
1 Recepticle for Panel Power http://www.homedepot.com/ 582075 $23.90 $23.90
1 Plug for Panel Power http://www.homedepot.com/ 589506 $22.90 $22.90
1 Switch for Contactor Coil https://www.alliedelec.com/ 908-0024 $0.93 $0.93
1 Fan for Heat Sink https://www.alliedelec.com/ 592-0010 $15.54 $15.54
1 Fan Guard https://www.alliedelec.com/ 592-1050 $1.27 $1.27
1 40A SSR http://www.auberins.com/ RS1A40D40 $19.00 $19.00
1 Heat Sink http://www.auberins.com/ HS25 $9.65 $9.65
1 40A 2-Pole Contactor http://www.auberins.com/ CN-PBC402-120V $17.99 $17.99
1 Terminal Strip 10-pole https://www.alliedelec.com/ 607-7060 $2.94 $2.94
1 Terminal Strip Jumper http://www.radioshack.com/ 2103227 $1.99 $1.99
4 Ground Lug http://www.mcmaster.com/ 6923K61 $1.82 $7.28
1 Project Box http://www.auberins.com/ Pbox16 $28.67 $28.67
1 60A GFCI w/subpanel http://www.homedepot.com/ 649042 $69.00 $69.00
10 Panel Power Cord /ft http://www.mcmaster.com/ 7082K86 $2.21 $22.10
20 Element Power Cord /ft http://www.mcmaster.com/ 8046K17 $1.47 $29.40

Plumbing
15 Quick Disconnect Male http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2" Camlock F $4.00 $60.00
12 Quick Disconnect Female http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2" Camlock C $6.25 $75.00
2 1/2" NPT Tee http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2npttee $4.00 $8.00
6 1/2" NPT Valve http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2 SS 2piece valve $14.00 $84.00
8 1/2" NPT Close Nipple http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2nptnipclose $4.00 $32.00
8 1/2" NPT x 3/8" 90deg Tube Adapter http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2NPT x 3/8tube 90 $20.00 $160.00
2 1/2" NPT x 3/8" Barb Adapter http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2 MNPT 3/8 HOSE $4.00 $8.00
1 50' coil 3/8" SS Tubing http://www.mcmaster.com/ 8989K93 $55.79 $55.79
2 3/4" x 1/2" NPT Coupling http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 3/4 x 1/2 coupling $4.50 $9.00
2 Transfer Pump 809-BR-HS-C http://www.marchpump.com/ 809-BR-HS-C $180.00 $360.00
2 1" NPS W/H Element Nut http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1nptlnut $8.25 $16.50
2 5500W W/H Element http://www.homedepot.com/ ? $18.00 $36.00
3 Sight Glass Kit http://www.bargainfittings.com/ Welded Thermo gauge $26.00 $78.00
3 Temp Probe http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 3" miljoco 6 stem $26.00 $78.00
12 1/2" NPT Coupling http://www.bargainfittings.com/ 1/2nptcoup $4.00 $48.00
30 1/2" Silicone Tubing /ft http://www.bargainfittings.com/ Silicone tube 1/2 ID $2.19 $65.70
5 3/8" Silicone Tubing /ft http://www.bargainfittings.com/ Silicone tube 3/8 ID $2.09 $10.45
Total $1,706.92

That didn't post anything like what I saw, but I think you get the idea.