19 replies to this topic

[HVB]

So, after reading djinkc's post in the PH I decided to put up some pictures of the upgrades I have been doing to my brewery. I used to brew in my garage and bring everything to my basement. That got old, so it was time to move everything to the basement. This started in December and I am close to being able to brew again. I still have to finish the ventilation and hard pipe the water. I hope to get a brew in next weekend. This is powered off a dedicated 50A GFCI breaker in my main panel. Each "circuit" coming out of the control panel is also individually protected for short circuit inside the control panel. The strap was only to prove it would work and has since been changed to chain.My RIMS tube. - 1400 watts @120VControl PanelInside of the panelPWM circtuit to control the boil - not yet mounted in the control panelIt needed some style!And where it will all go. The chamber has had the insualtion finished and since been changed to having an AC cool it. The conical also has a new home with a board member.

[brewman]

Very nice.Dan

[Deerslyr]

I would love to go electric, but I have neither the skills to build it on my own, nor the ability to justify the funds for a turnkey system. Very nice.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Sweet! I've wanted my own little brewery for a while now.I am moving in a couple months and already have a brew shed/man cave planned. It will house all of my fridges and hopefully the brew house. Gonna be a 12 X 20 shed. Probably gonna take a while to build and I'll be brewing out of the garage for a bit. Cheers!Rich

[Genesee Ted]

Nice rig! I am jealous of that 3 gallon corny too!

[HVB]

Nice rig! I am jealous of that 3 gallon corny too!

shh don't tell .. I have 6 of them. I got 2 at a car swap meet last year for 20 each, ball lock too.

[HVB]

12 X 20 shed. .

That is about the size of my space. Basicaly 1/4 of my cellar.

[Genesee Ted]

shh don't tell .. I have 6 of them. I got 2 at a car swap meet last year for 20 each, ball lock too.

Oh man! I so want some 3 gallon cornies!

[Deerslyr]

shh don't tell .. I have 6 of them. I got 2 at a car swap meet last year for 20 each, ball lock too.

I hate you.

[SchwanzBrewer]

That is about the size of my space. Basicaly 1/4 of my cellar.

I'm gonna pour a concrete floor and add a french drain going down the middle so I can just hose it out. But I will have 4 fridges, 1 fermentation chamber, and my brew house in there. Gonna air condition it and have a hood for the brew house. probably add a TV too. Gonna be sweet.

[brewman]

You need a couch also for when I come over and crash your brew day.Dan

[HVB]

You need a couch also for when I come over and crash your brew day.Dan

Already there along with a lazy boy and I have an old TV that is getting mounted down there this weekend!! I am a thinker!

[SchwanzBrewer]

You need a couch also for when I come over and crash your brew day.Dan

one of these days. Probably take a while to complete the shed. It's in the plans though.

[djinkc]

I have a PWM ordered but it'll be a long project. I want to switch to a 5500W element, which means a new GFI breaker, rewire with heavier gauge wire and replace the SSR too. Bet it takes me a year.......

[HVB]

I have a PWM ordered but it'll be a long project. I want to switch to a 5500W element, which means a new GFI breaker, rewire with heavier gauge wire and replace the SSR too. Bet it takes me a year.......

What are you using for an element now? I thin I have a 4500W in there now. I can easily go up now with the upgrade, I was limited before.

[djinkc]

What are you using for an element now? I thin I have a 4500W in there now. I can easily go up now with the upgrade, I was limited before.

4500W which is just under the max that circuit can handle safely.

[matt6150]

What size batches to you guys do with a 4500w? What is the need for the 5500w, just faster boil or a bigger batch?

[HVB]

What size batches to you guys do with a 4500w? What is the need for the 5500w, just faster boil or a bigger batch?

I shoot for 11.5 gallons into the fermetner so 12.5-13 pre-boil. I am happy with the 4500 watt element. A larger one would get you up to boil faster. I typically turn my down to 75% or a bit lower once to boil starts just to maintain it. I do have a 5500 watt in my HLT just so it heats up faster.

[matt6150]

I shoot for 11.5 gallons into the fermetner so 12.5-13 pre-boil. I am happy with the 4500 watt element. A larger one would get you up to boil faster. I typically turn my down to 75% or a bit lower once to boil starts just to maintain it. I do have a 5500 watt in my HLT just so it heats up faster.

Ok good to know thanks. So 5 gal batches would be no problem then for a 4500w. I have most of the electronics now for it I just need to get it all together.

[djinkc]

What size batches to you guys do with a 4500w? What is the need for the 5500w, just faster boil or a bigger batch?

Yeah, it would be nice sometimes to have that extra 1000W to speed things up.