Electric Brewery Build UK Version

[barneey]

Well with the US version costing some $1500 before customs etc get their hands on it, I would say that with out doubt my version is a hell of a lot cheaper, parts wise, although I`m not sure exactly how much I spent or the time its taken for all the parts to arrive.

On important point with a DIY version though it can be fully tailored to suit your needs, the US build caters for a HERMS system in the HLT, which I didnt have or wanted. It only has 3 PIDS, I wanted / needed 4, I also wanted the 12V variable power supply for the solar pump the US vesion is a straight mains volt supply. But using their instructions / website everything can be made to work one way or another, so most of the hard work has already been done for you.

The only other thing to think about is the amount of time and effort it takes to build the thing as its a true labour of love project, if you were to pay someone to make something like it, who knows what the end cost might be?

I just really want to get the thing finished now and working

Cheers

[kev1976]

What colour pilot lights do you have for sale barneey? By knobs, do you mean the pot knobs?

I'm currently building a version of the electic brewery control panel myself. Ithought i would go with all blue leds but now i'm in two minds.

By total coincidence, i ordered my tags from the same ebay shop as you. I used the same size and colour as the electric brewery website but as you said the store owner was indeed brilliant to work wth. A quick pic of my tags

[barneey]

I`ll have to check on the LED light colour I have, but know I have red. The knobs are indeed for the pots, Ive got a few SRR 25A, another couple of click switches, the old pid sensor mounts and male parts.

Just noticed on your labels you dont have a "thingamabob" label?

[willb]

why do lights and switches make any job more satisfying and fun?

[kev1976]

Just noticed on your labels you dont have a "thingamabob" label?

Or the essential don't panic tag

I'm not putting a seperate led in for the alarm as the buzzer i bought has a red led built into it.

I was going to go down the route of keeping ac out for the pumps and building a seperate enclosure for a solar pump controls but i like what you have done. The problem i may have if i start adding extras is it might get a bit tight in my enclosure (400x400x200). I suppose there is space where the brewery logo is meant to go and i only plan on having 2 pumps anyway.

.....mind made up, two more small blue volt meters to buy from China. I think i might try and hunt down a knob which is a bit chunkier and around the same size as the pilot light.

The only main thing i'm waiting for now is a timer which i've just ordered today. The omega one that was linked in the electric brewery site was well out of the price range i was looking at spending. I think i've ordered the same or a similar one as you (the Sestos one which was linked earlier in this thread) which was much more sensibly priced and has the same colour display as the pids i'm using. Hopefully it will slip through customs as it is over the £15 limit.

You are way ahead of me as i'm yet to cut a hole. Do the pilot leds fit into a 21mm hole or would it be a bit too tight? I have a 21 tct cutter in my toolbox left over from the ongoing brewery rebuild so i was hoping to use that.

Did you decide on what relays to use? I ended up on this for the main input http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1pc-JQX-40F-2 ... 23122f0229 as i'm having a 32a rated input feed and this for the other relays http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270772329323? ... 26_rdc%3D1.

[barneey]

Yep my box is so large I have quite a bit of freedom when it design & components used, flip side is its bulky and heavy so inpractice it will be wall mounted.

Your right about the buzzer (I too have the red led version) so the red LED light isnt really necessary so the room could be used for something else.

My mine problem with the pot knobs was they were a little bit of an after thought (was originally just going to use the March pumps so they werent needed) then I changed the design so needed somthing to fit, TMH has pointed to quite a nice range of knobs earlier in this post.

As for the LED lights they are designed for a 22mm hole, as my stainless box is thick & didnt want to start filing out all the holes I went for a 22 TCT cutter, you might get away with a 21mm hole with a thinner gauge box, but would trial one first.

Yep the timer is the cheaper version that matches everything else.

Finally would have to check the main relay but the others are as you link & page 1 of the thread, I was unable to find a piggy back for them to fit on a DIN rail though so they will be bolt mounted.

My progess so far today, 24mm holes for the sensors drill out, just need to drill the 8 fixing holes. Fixing holes for the rest of the powercon panel mounts and main electric supply drilled. I`ve drilled and tapped the holes for the heat sink + ditto for the SSR to the heat sink, hust need to apply the thermal paste and bolt them up.

So the only holes left are for fixing the sensor + should I choose to fit it the variable element power supply & again should I decide to use it the flow meter.

Then its wiring time !!!!

[kev1976]

Having looked through this thread again properly i've found some of the answers to my questions are already in there

I did think about din rails but as you said, 8 pin sockets for the amp rating i'm after are hard to find.

For my sensors i'm going a different route to the electric brewery as for some reason they have their pins exposed which i'm not a fan of. I went for these from the same company i bought my powercons from http://www.thomann.de/gb/neutrik_nc_3fdl1.htm . Locking sockets as they can't be pulled out accidently.

I have 4 of the pin type sockets which came from China before i changed my mind if they are any use to anyone. I'd rather someone have and use them instead of them lying around here collecting dust.

Looking forward to the wiring write up

[barneey]

Yep exactly the same with the powercon sensors, did you get the optional extras?

[kev1976]

Yep exactly the same with the powercon sensors, did you get the optional extras?

What extras were on offer? i only bought the socket and the matching plug http://www.thomann.de/de/neutrik_nc_3mx.htm

[barneey]

The extra bling factor in loads of colours...







http://www.canford.co.uk/XLR

They do label holder, dust caps etc, bling + easy cable I.D.

[barneey]

Heres a list of the few spare bits I have at the moment.

22mm Panel LED lights, 5 Red, 3 Orange, 1 Yellow, 1 Green so if anyone has say a couple of white lids and wants to swap or buy any let me know.

Qmax cutters 1 x 22.5mm & 1 x 29mm Both unused.

2 pairs of sensors.

3 clicky buttons.

[kev1976]

I didn't see then for the xlr's but the powercons have a similar sealing gasket available. I'll have a decent nose later and see what else i'm drawn to.....

[barneey]

A little more progress today, still have to sort out the Din rails + jumpers and will need another couple of relays.

I`m waiting on the sensors + 1 more powercon connector to arrive early next week.

The SSR are in postion albeit the 4th one is a bit os a squeeze so may have to move that one.

Any comments welcome on the layout of the board or possible ideas of another / better layout?

[troublebrewing]

More out of interest than anything, B, but are you using any sort of rubberised gasket for IP on the pids and other switches etc?

Much will depend, of course, on your location for the control unit.

Tim

[barneey]

I cant remember if the PIDs had a sealing gasket with them or not (such along time since i fitted them), The XLRs can be purchased with a sealing gasket, which I have bought both for sealing + extra identification.

I`m not sure if the gaskets are an option on the powercon true1 panel mounts, but like everything else on the build its been put together dry, to iron out any snags, once the system is working correctly I remove each piece and use a silicone sealant on everthing.