Simon's Brewery Build

[simonranson]

Hi Steve,

It's no problem at all with a single 3kW element. When it's upto temperatre I have to knock the PID down to about 85-90% otherwise the boil is pretty violent. I've done two 60 and one 90 minute boil so far with no issues.

Simon

 

[FrameShift]

Hi Simon,

I don't know what your experience was like with the element people http://www.heatingelementcompany.co.uk/ ... roduct=231
which you used for the heater, but mine is pretty dismal. I made an order on 26th May and still haven't received the heater element. I emailed them last week, but no response. Just thought I'd give a heads up for anyone using them since I think I've been bilked.

Cheers,

Brian.

 

[simonranson]

Brian,

Do give them a call to see what's up with the delivery. I spoke to them a couple of weeks after I orderd my first two elements and was told the date that they were making the next batch of the pig-tail elements. From memory they arrived a couple of days after they made some more.

Simon

 

[Vossy1]

They're not always the best and chasing them seems to be the norm

 

[prolix]

I rang them for mine they are awaiting delivery, should have arrived end of last week so I expect mine next week sometime.

 

[mashman]

Mine were pretty quick once I had managed to order them.

My problem was with Google Chrome as a web browser, it wouldn't let me navigate their website properly so when I tried to go to their checkout it just kept sending me to their home page so I couldn't complete.

Went back to Internet Explorer and all was ok.

:party:

 

[FrameShift]

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I received mine at last on Tuesday, have fitted it and fitted the terminal box as per Simon said: B&Q. I made an earth from some copper sheet which I got by splitting some 15mm copper tube along its length and flattening it. I drilled a hole 13mm diameter and cut around it to form an earthing tag which goes under one of the scew fittings of the element. I'm just mashing a brew at the moment ready to try the boiler. Also, I made a wort cooler and I'm trying that today. As for controlling the boil, I have an old variac which allows me to reduce the power to the element when it starts to boil to violently. I'll post results later.



Cheers,

Brian Spencer.

 

[simonranson]

Nice one Brian :clap:

I hope the brew goes well

 

[cornyandy]

That looks fab

but how do you clean the floggle toggle gear?

Sorry Couldn't resist it :whistle:

 

[shocker]

quote - " I have an old variac which allows me to reduce the power to the element "

Of course ! Excellent idea ! Would not have thought of it myself.....like all the best ideas its obvious ,once you have been told !!

I have an old variac somewhere ,that and a wet sensor thermometer sounds a lot better than an outside mounted thermostat (which is what I WAS going to do)....nice one ,mate !

:thumb:

 

[metal micky]

Simon - great build hope your brews are as good as the setup :wha: if not, then you will have to keep practicing and :
I am in the process of building a 10 gallon brew, Please could you tell me what advantage is there to have a sight tube? and is it essential :thumb:

 

[simonranson]

Thanks Micky,

I'm still learning the art of brewing, and have only managed three AG brews so far. #4 is this weekend, fingers crossed, if my starter is ready :)

How is your 10 gallon setup going? I dont think the sight-tubes are essential, I think a lot of people just use a dipstick so something simillar. Having said that, I do make use of them. For example on the HLT I mark off my mashing and sparging levels on the sight-tube then I can quickly transfer the required volume of water just by draining it down to the next mark. Same with the boiler; I just mark off the required boil volume so know when I'm there... its easier to see with all the nice dark wort :drink:

Cheers
Simon

 

[pjbiker]

Simon - great build hope your brews are as good as the setup :wha: if not, then you will have to keep practicing and :
I am in the process of building a 10 gallon brew, Please could you tell me what advantage is there to have a sight tube? and is it essential :thumb:

I'm thinking of putting one on my HLT so I don't have to stand on a stool to look in the top with a dipstick. However, they do tend to get 'cacked up' in the boiler and difficult to clean so think I'll leave the boiler as it is.

 

[metal micky]

Thanks for the info about the sight glass, I think I will leave it for now I can always add later, just getting my bits together and I have realised that I did not order the ssr from auber, do you know anywhere I can get one, looked on maplins web site and can't find anything that looks like the ones from auber,

 

[pjbiker]

Thanks for the info about the sight glass, I think I will leave it for now I can always add later, just getting my bits together and I have realised that I did not order the ssr from auber, do you know anywhere I can get one, looked on maplins web site and can't find anything that looks like the ones from auber,

I got one of these, took a couple of weeks to arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160573850696? ... 1439.l2649

 

[metal micky]

Thanks PJ but was hoping to get one locally, I will look around until the weekend then maybe order one

 

[shocker]

RS components,theres only 905 to choose from......

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/relays-sw ... te-relays/

and 1096 at farnell...........

http://uk.farnell.com/solid-state-relays

good luck ! Seriously though ,these two are the market leaders in trade electronic and component supply - not the cheapest ,but dependable and knowledgeable....and in this country ! RS have trade counters in most cities too...........and they stock some amazing stuff !

 

[metal micky]

Thanks for the info, I decided to contact auber and ordered ssr plus one or two other items but rs components is another :) contact for nice things :) :thumb:

 

[simonranson]

I see Auber are now stocking selector switches too. They were one of the tricky things to find (for a sensible price) when I was doing my control panel.

 

[Staz]

A creation of beauty Simon :mrgreen: