Maxi Controlling FV Temp`s

[barneey]

Nothing unusual in using a Maxi 110 to regulate temperatures in a fermenter but having been speaking to wallybrew recently, I decided to follow his design and add an inline heater to the water loop.

I was going to build a separate control panel box, but having seen there was quite a bit of spare space in the maxi I thought I would incorporate the components in its housing.

So a couple of relays later and a little rewiring + the addition of the STC and the thing is nearly complete.

Just have to cut a piece of 1/2" stainless tube to house the heater add a couple of JG fittings and its complete, had to put it in a water bath for the experiment.

The idea is the unit only operates if cooling or heating is required at all other times the unit is off, the maxi pump and reservoir provides all the power and water supply.

[chris2012]

If you're adding a heater in the water loop, don't you run the risk of melting the icebank?

[barneey]

Yep but do you actually need an ice bank? the maxi gets down to a low temp quite quickly. With the thing switched off when not required I`ll doubt if an ice bank will form. The only time it might form an ice bank if is there is a period of long cooling required.

I planning to try the thing very soon so will let you know how I get on.

[chris2012]

Cool, good luck.

[Deller12]

Good job keep the updates coming

[barneey]

again though its not my idea & WB controls more than one fermentor with this idea, my only input is housing it in the maxi to keep everything neat and tidy.

If for any reason I don't get on with it, I`ll just fit the heater through the side screw housing on the fermentor and just use the coil in the normal way with a top mounted temp probe.

[Deller12]

again though its not my idea & WB controls more than one fermentor with this idea, my only input is housing it in the maxi to keep everything neat and tidy.

If for any reason I don't get on with it, I`ll just fit the heater through the side screw housing on the fermentor and just use the coil in the normal way with a top mounted temp probe.

I need to make something up as I can only heat my brew at the moment lucky for me it's cool in my garage but I need to get something sorted

[darkonnis]

It is all very neat. had I not already decided to hide my maxi out of the way when I get round to my conical build I'd definitely steal that idea!

[barneey]

Made up the heat tube today so ready for testing very soon

[darkonnis]

Go on then, gives a look at that 1/2" heater thingy ?

[chris2012]

I'm really intrigued what heater you used and also where do you get a pipe like that with screw threads?

cheers

[barneey]

Go on then, gives a look at that 1/2" heater thingy ?

Its at the bottom of the photo, just need to connect it to the maxi pipework?

I'm really intrigued what heater you used and also where do you get a pipe like that with screw threads?

cheers

The heater is a standard radiator heater, its only 150w but more than enough for the purpose. The pipe is just a standard length of 1/2 ss pipe from BES, it started off life as 3m in length, but with builds over the last few years ive only a 1/3 left - its the same stuff I use for the centre drains on my pots. Just cut a length and thread the two ends, being 1/2 pipe the heater just about has enough flow room around it, a couple of JG screw to 3/8 fittings + 1 tee piece and the things built.

Will be testing it on 100ltr of Ditch`s stout

[chris2012]

Oh nice so you threaded the pipe yourself? Didn't know that was possible heh, just been looking on amazon
@ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-53096-Ra ... e+threader

I'm quite tempted to copy your setup!

[barneey]

Yep near enough the same type of threader I have, BUTTTTT its not really designed for stainless so how many threads you get out of it is debatable. I also use mine with a pipe vice nothing else will hold it.

One 1/2 cutter I had I broke in 2 (cracked the casing), now on the second cutter ( a few teeth missing on it now), but with out a lathe and on a budget they will work, only a tapered thread tho.

[chris2012]

What pipe threader do you have? I don't want it breaking out on me too soon.