decent heating belt for a plastic conical

[mrlard]

Right gents can you help me out I am venturing into the world of conicals suitably motivated by vossy. :thumb:

Thing is i don't have the room for an insulated cupboard so need a belt that can deal with all seasons in my garage and also not melt the conical ( not sure if this would be a problem ) as i will be going down the plastic route. either 60 or 100 litre.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience they care to share?

 

[Vossy1]

I know a few folk with metal conicals use vivarium heat mats simply stuck on the side. You might also wish to consider insulating the conical with something like armoflex sheet that'll help cut down on condensation in summer...if we have one :lol:
Or possibly an aquarium heater :hmm:

 

[Aleman]

I use a standard demijohn heater belt on mine with no issues

Although I have been looking at having a custom self adhesive silicone heat mat made, to fit the conical shape. (They are what are used in F1 Tyre heating blankets). You can have all sorts or watt density (from 2W up to 10W per Square cm) and have them self thermally limiting (so can be set to limit at 40C and not damage a plastic conical).

I'll get off my 4rse sometime and make price / quantity enquiries . . . eventually

 

[Vossy1]

Any ideas on cooling jackets A :grin: ...it's something I've wanted for a while but they're very hard to source
Worth a punt to ask you

 

[mrlard]

Like it gentlemen thank you!

 

[mrlard]

One more question gents - I got myself a maxi 110 chiller which I plan to use for the cooling side of things via the python pump

Would this have enough guts to get down to lagering temps or shall I hold onto my little fridget for small brew lengths

 

[Vossy1]

Would this have enough guts to get down to lagering temps

More than enough. I used mine with 60ltr batches and chill proofed my beers at 0-2 deg.
Unclepumple used his with a much larger conical, can't quite remember the size may have been 200ltr, and it serves him well, though that might have been for standard ales, you'd have to ask him

EDIT, Shanes conical is here and is 200ltr.

 

[mrlard]

please remove if not appropriate but I just picked up a 60l conical from http://www.tanksuk.co.uk for £60 i thought that was a bargin.

Even better they are just down the road so no postage :party:

 

[Vossy1]

That's a great price :party: we like a bargain here mrlard, thanks for posting up :thumb:
Do you know what size lid opening it has :hmm:

 

[mrlard]

10 inches - although if SWMBO asks that's 15! :whistle:

right time for the BES shopping list for some ball valves

 

[Vossy1]

:rofl: I only got a 110ltr as there was no middle ground I could find at the time :hmm:
Does it have a 1" bottom port ?

 

[mrlard]

Yeap!

 

[Vossy1]

Resist....resist...you don't need it V :lol: :P
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but they're calling :twisted:

 

[mrlard]

It would be a nice addition tho don't you think

 

[mrlard]

I use a standard demijohn heater belt on mine with no issues

Aleman do you find a standard demijohn heating belt enough to keep temps in check through the depths of winter in your shed?

I got a few rolls of armoflex to whack around my conical but its the self adhesive stuff so don't want to whack it on if i got to take it off to increase the amount of heating required.

 

[Vossy1]

got a few rolls of armoflex to whack around my conical but its the self adhesive stuff so don't want to whack it on if i got to take it off to increase the amount of heating required.

I'm not sure it's wise to cover the heating mat with armo, but Tony will confirm. Most heating element type mats say do not cover. Couldn't you tie the armo on whilst trialling :hmm:

 

[akka lakka]

Hi all,i used soil heating cable to make a warm fermenting cupboard,you can get them in various lengths and wrap it round conical.

cheers
joe

 

[Aleman]

I use a standard demijohn heater belt on mine with no issues

Aleman do you find a standard demijohn heating belt enough to keep temps in check through the depths of winter in your shed?

It's fine for the conditions I brew in, I only use camping mats and silver bubble wrap to insulate mine, and so far it hold temps fine

 

[mrlard]

I use a standard demijohn heater belt on mine with no issues

Aleman do you find a standard demijohn heating belt enough to keep temps in check through the depths of winter in your shed?

It's fine for the conditions I brew in, I only use camping mats and silver bubble wrap to insulate mine, and so far it hold temps fine

And is that with the belt wrapped up under the insulation?

Hi all,i used soil heating cable to make a warm fermenting cupboard,you can get them in various lengths and wrap it round conical.

cheers
joe

Funny you should say that I been looking into trace heating cables - just trying to keep this project in on some sort of budget tho! So keen to make do. Give it time tho

 

[EskiBrew]

I think our sponsor (Cedaronics) sells the heating cable - might be worth asking Tim what he has available. See the image in the header (third one from left) :thumb: