2 Vessel Kettle-RIMS

[Grizzly299]

Hi guys, it's been a while! I've been rather busy of late so I've not brewed properly for a few months. Anyway I decided to take the opportunity to start modding my kit.

I've relocated my kit to my workplace so that I can work on it after hours.

I'm gradually turning my two vessel single infusion system into a full volume no sparge 2 vessel kettle rims system. With a control panel.

On top of that I'm also taking fermentation control by the horns and rigging up a Cornelius maxi chiller with solenoids and a Raspberry Pi, setup with Craft beer Pi.

Here are some pics of the progress.

Most of the control panel parts( apart from the new enclosure) were salvaged from old control panels at work. Hence some of the contactors being triple pole. The two Inkbird controllers were won in a giveaway here on the forum. The two PID controllers are in parallel both controlling the kettle, one with its sensor in the tee piece the other in the kettle. The output from PID's is selectable. One for boil, one for mash. This is basically so I don't have to auto-tune all the time.

It's basically a budget version of the Brew Easy system

Some may ask why not just buy a grain father? My only answer is that I enjoy designing and building things.

 

[Bigcol49]

Are those silicone cake "tin" washers?

 

[Grizzly299]

They most certainly are, the second hole could just use normal O rings to be honest. The lower spout needed the oversize ones because the hole in the cygnet boiler isn't round.

I will probably bore the lower hole out and get a reducer. That's If I don't up-size to a 2x 50L keggle setup soon.

 

[BeerCat]

Really nice looking build. I use a 2 vessel system right now but had to go back to stc's to control it after failing dismally at autotuning my PID. Is that one of the brewbuilder FV's and is that a PT100 probe you have going into it?

 

[Grizzly299]

The mash tun is one of the Bergland 38.5L insulated pots form catering portal on ebay. At the time it was around 88 euros delivered to the door. Which at the time was about £63.

The temp probe is a Pt100 yes

Here is a sneaky pic of the other 14BBL build that's been keeping me so busy.

 

[Andrew Chapman]

Hi, great looking panel!
I've been wanting to do something similar for sometime now but can't find anything to help with wiring.
I'm also looking at a two vessel full volume system.
By chance would you be able to give some pointers on how to wire the thing up?