Elements for a 20 gallon HERMS System Build

[Azazel]

Hello Brewers

I am in the process of building a HERMS and am at the stage when I need to order some heating elements for the copper and HLT.

I was hoping you might be able to tell me what elements you have used and how easy they are to install?

Azazel

 

[Vossy1]

That's a big build Az, nice one For those sorts of sizes you'd really be looking at 3 or 5kw elements and possibly multiple of, do you have the facility for the draw of those elements.
There are links on the forum to 3 and 5kw immersion type elements, you can easily find the 3kw ones on E-bay and I'm assuming you'd prefer stainless steel.
You might get away with 2 x 2.75 kw elements with a well lagged boiler.

 

[Azazel]

Thanks for the reply. I will be running it at home initially but may get a unit eventually. Do you think the normal house circuit will take the draw?

 

[Vossy1]

I think you'll need to have a good look into it Az. 5kw will need a dedicated supply, multiples of 2.75kw really need to be on separate circuits and 3kw isn't recommend for 13A sockets, though it's often run on them.

 

[mixale]

I would go for something 6kw and upwards.
These guys supply the required elements. Clicky.
My copper has the 9kw unit but i've only got 2 of the elements wired up give 6kw.
I switch both on to get the wort to boiling then switch one off.

This does mean your garage/shed would need a dedicated supply from the consumer unit with a MCB not less than 50A and using 10mm cabling, 6mm might be ok if you don't have elements on for both the HLT and the copper.
Have the cable into the brewery feeding another CU which can split the load to the various vessels, sockets & lighting etc.