Temperature Control in a Blichmann Conical - Phase 3

[steve_flack]

The last part...hopefully

Firstly cooling mods.

The system I showed in part one was a flat out system - it always cooled. To separate the ice bank formation from the cooling pump some internal mods need to be made to the Maxi 110 cooler. Fortunately, internally the wiring is a pretty easy so it was a doddle to put in a separate flex for the pump. Now the refridgeration can be on all the time and the cooling pumped when needed.

But how to control it?

May I introduce the Ferm-O-matic.



This is basically and ATC-800 in a nice box with two plug sockets. The probe from this measures the temperature using a MoreBeer thermowell stopper.



These are about a tenner a pop - which is a lot for a stopper but I've tried drilling holes in stoppers and....it's not easy. ONE IMPORTANT NOTE- if you buy an ATC-800 the plastic probe will not fit in this thermowell. The stainless probe will so make sure when you're buying what you're getting.

So hopefully that's that. If I do any more changes I'll keep you posted.

[Andy]

Lovely job! Been making the most of your time off work ?

[AT]

The back must be getting a heap better

[steve_flack]

The back is improving yes..... I'm back at the quacks on Monday.

I do still wake up very stiff in the middle of the night. You can make up your own jokes around that one....

[AT]

The back is improving yes..... I'm back at the quacks on Monday.

I do still wake up very stiff in the middle of the night. You can make up your own jokes around that one....

hee hee hee i usually wake stiff in the morning, you are eager Steve, what pills did they give you?0

[steve_flack]

Diclofenac, diazepam and (bring your own) paracodol. I was a stoned as a git when I was taking that lot. I'm now just on the diclofenac and occasional paracodal when I get a bit sore.

[Andy]

One step closer to that perfect pint

btw why did you separate the cooling pump from the ice bank?

I got the impression that Steve's chiller ran the cooling line pump all the time by default. Hence the need to control it.

[steve_flack]

btw why did you separate the cooling pump from the ice bank?

Just the power supplies. So the ice bank can be formed using the thermostat in the chiller but the recirc circuit only runs when it needs to - otherwise the recirc runs all the time.

[roger the dog]

The back is improving yes..... I'm back at the quacks on Monday.

I do still wake up very stiff in the middle of the night. You can make up your own jokes around that one....

hee hee hee i usually wake stiff in the morning, you are eager Steve, what pills did they give you?0

Little blue ones by the sound of it (sorry but you did ask).

Seriously though, it all looks extremely well put together Steve & I don't know if that's your garage but it's tidier than our front room !

[steve_flack]

Little blue ones by the sound of it (sorry but you did ask).

The imminent arrival of Flack Jnr suggests they aren't necessary.

[steve_flack]

But what if you want to cool to an arbitary temperature? You want the cooling to stop before the chiller would want it too.

Besides...it's in the garage and only annoys the hedgehogs....

[steve_flack]

I guess so... I just wanted the ice bank to be as cold as possible when it was needed. It's an easy mod and it's done now.....

[Andy]

I guess Steve's approach is more "compressor friendly" in that if the chiller unit wants to build its ice bank up then it can get on with that and not get switched off/on the task at the whim of the ATC-800

[Frothy]

Most excellent Mr Flack. How low do you think the temp would go?
Where would be a good place to get a project box like that?

Frothy

[steve_flack]

The box came from Maplins (YM92A) where they want an extortionate £15 for one. The glands are code UP96E and have the advantage of gripping both a normal 3 core flex and the lead to the probe.