SS Boilers

[Andy]

Thanks Andy

I think the 1st point of call is a reliable thermometer and maybe one of yours and 7's pump as back up

Either contact or set an Ebay "saved search" on this guy

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQf ... WNQ3aMESOI

He's the pump meister! He advertises them as "water pumps" and listed 5 today (4 of which were bought by us lot). No doubt he'll offload some more soon.

[Vossy1]

Thanks Andy

JHBF vultures hey

[Andy]

I think you're very close to getting this cracked Vossy - well done for sticking at it.

[Vossy1]

I just hope some of my fumblings will help others along the way

[Seveneer]

OK, so the test is to maintain a constant temperature. That's good.

If you find that the water in the heat exchanger is cooling down faster than the element can heat it up then I'm afraid you need to reduce the flow rate.

Are you tuning the PID controller once the system reaches 65C?

I really don't think you'll find any improvement from changing the pump again. I don't think this is where the problem is.

Sorry to keep on about it but why do you say that 6l per minute wasn't adequate? What was the problem with that flow rate?

[Seveneer]

I just hope some of my fumblings will help others along the way

Don't worry Vossy, you'll get there.

[Vossy1]

OK, so the test is to maintain a constant temperature

Yep

With a lower flow rate I was experiencing variable temp consistantly, + so much, - so much, on all thermometers.

Now I've got steady readings but the thermometers aren't accurate, ie, no 2 agree

[Seveneer]

That's strange. Are the individual thermometers fluctuating with time? If so how much over how much time?

I don't think there's much wrong really. I reckon if you fit a ball valve to restrict the flow then run the test for real with grain you'll see a more stable temperature purely because of the thermal mass of the mash.

/Phil.

[Vossy1]

That's strange. Are the individual thermometers fluctuating with time? If so how much over how much time?

Yes they're fluctuating with time. Toward the end of my last trial the PID read 65 degC (PSB not corrected) the digitech read 65.6 the hook type metal probe read 77.6 deg c, and the spirit read 63 deg c.

The hook type seems most inaccurate.

I don't think there's much wrong really. I reckon if you fit a ball valve to restrict the flow then run the test for real with grain you'll see a more stable temperature purely because of the thermal mass of the mash.

I think your probably right 7. Water reacts in no way like a mash so the testing is semi redundant.

In the words of one of my Monty Python hero's, I'll "get on with it"



Brewday tomorrow, like marriage, for better or for worse

[Andy]

Good to hear Vossy - let us know how it goes.

[steve_flack]

Is that the March May one the Harmony hut guy had? From the pics I've got one just like it but haven't tried it out yet.

Yep, arrived today, but as with everything lately it's not that simple.

All stickers on the housing have been removed and the anti tamper sticker over the two parts of the housing has had half removed

I've contacted him again as this pump definately looks used and/or reconditioned and was sold as new

I can't recall what mine was described as (I think it was described as used) but anyway your description sounds much like mine.

[steve_flack]

I just hope some of my fumblings will help others along the way

I'm watching for all the pitfalls. Thanks Vossy for being the test lab!

Today I'll be getting busy with a load of wood and my mitre saw. I'm building a stand for the brewery. Let the fun commence....

[Seveneer]

Good luck Steve. Hope i all goes smoothly.

/Phil.

[steve_flack]

Have you considered MDP tubing ?

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat ... 2&ts=00775

I would've thought MDPE wouldn't be able to take the temperatures or wouldn't be bendy enough...do you know better?

[Seveneer]

I've just, today, replaced my reinforced hose with silicone. I'm now half way through mashing and all is OK so far.