Garage Brewery Build - What pumps?

[floydmeddler]

Hi folks,

I'm planning a 60L garage brewery build and have put together this crude drawing of how it will look. I'm trying to keep costs down as I really should be spending my ££ on the house renovation, so am looking into cheap pump options. I'm hoping that I can use those little solar pumps that have been popular among many brewers on here. What do you reckon?

If you have any links to suitable pumps, that would be great! Cheers.

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I would use the Solar Pumps.

I use one to recirculate the liquor in the HLT to avoid hotspots, then pump it into the Mash Tun.

I have a big March May pump from the MAsh Tun to the boiler, but it's overkill really and when it does I will replace it with a little Solar pump.

I power mine with a Tattoo Power supply unit.

[floydmeddler]

Cheers Steve.

Is this the type you have?

[Cazamodo]

Also interested in the replies here. I was thinking solar pump, or the mag pumps that mrlard sells. Only as mine will be a 100L set up.

I also have a march pump BUT, not sure ill even need it. Especially as with the solar/mag pumps I can regulate the power from my control panel.

[GrowlingDogBeer]

Yes, they are the Solar Pumps I have. Plenty powerful enough to move 100L around at a decent rate.

[floydmeddler]

Decent price here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-SOLAR- ... 461589a5ca

[chastuck]

Also interested in the replies here. I was thinking solar pump, or the mag pumps that mrlard sells. Only as mine will be a 100L set up.

I also have a march pump BUT, not sure ill even need it. Especially as with the solar/mag pumps I can regulate the power from my control panel.

I use mr lard pumps in my 100L brewery. Here's a link to THBF showing how I mount them: http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewt ... 23&t=46600

[Cazamodo]

I had stumbled upin that post when i was looking for info on them!
Very helpful, cheers

[floydmeddler]

Very nice indeed!

[floydmeddler]

OK. I've ordered two of the classic brown jobbies. Now I need a power supply. I'd like to be able to power 2 at once. What are my options... do I need two transformers?

[themadhippy]

I'd like to be able to power 2 at once. What are my options... do I need two transformers?

nope,just 1 big one,something that can kick out at least 2.5Amps

[floydmeddler]

Cool. Cheers TMH.

Now... I've just been doing a bit of research on controlling the outlet and ended up frazzling my brain with talk of LED dimmer switches and variable resistors. Surely I can use these pumps the same way as I use my big pump by connecting a ball valve to the outlet pipe? I'll need to be able to bring it down to 1L a min.

[Full Mental Jakey]

I don't think they are magnetically coupled, so restricting the output will stress the motor.

I went round the houses trying to control my solar pump down to 1 litre a minute. Never got there. Led dimmers, voltage control, PWM, recirculation valve, etc. Never came up with a way to control it accurately and reliably at 1l/min.

I now use a bigger Totton pump that is magnetically couple with a ball valve on the outlet, and a float switch in the mash tun to turn it on and off. This ensures the input sparge rate matches my run-off rate exactly. And I don't have to watch it or adjust anything.

The wee pumps that homebrewbuilder sells (http://homebrewbuilder.co.uk/pumps.html) are magnetically coupled and, like a solar pump, rated to 100 degrees and DC powered. Bit more expensive mind, but not as much as a Totton.

[floydmeddler]

Grrrrrr. Cheers FMJ. Will have to send these back then. Damn.

[floydmeddler]

I have a Totton. Will use that for sparging then. Seems ridiculous to be using a Totton pump solely to pump water at 1 litre a min.