IPA is bubbling nicely!!

The IPA is doing nicely so far. I am sure it would probably be a steady stream of bubbles if I were using an airlock instead of a blow off tube. The last beer made a mess so I kept the blowoff on there.

Brewed Today!!!

Got some time to brew today....and made an IPA. Things went pretty smoothly, although I wasn't able to use the new system yet since I needed a new part for the pump.

I didn't quite hit my marks for the efficiency, but it will be OK.

The Box is Done!

Finally got the control box all wired up. The false bottom (mesh pizza tray) has arrived, now I just need to add some bolts or something else to elevate it above the heating element.

I had to re-order the thermal probe as I wasn't paying attention when I ordered it and got one with metric threads instead of NPT. and lastly, I need to wire up an outlet to hook it all into, which means I need to figure out "where" I want to do my brewing.

Unfortunately I'm sitting at the dealership getting the wife's car fixed so I have some time to kill. :-((

More Work Done on the Control Box

Check out the pics.....I have all the parts, the box has been painted, and I'm getting it wired. I'll have to send the probe back, as I got it with metric threading instead of npt.

Ordered an aluminum mesh pizza tray that will fit perfectly into the bottom of the pot that I will use for my false bottom. Once I have that and the new npt probe I'll be ready to brew.....assuming all my wiring is correct and I don't fry myself!!!

Control Box

The control box is coming along....just need a few more parts for the exterior....the master key switch and a red light to go with it, and the receptacle for the rtd (thermo coupler).

For the inside, I still need the 2 relays and all the wire and the incidentals to hook everything up.

Overall, the only things I need after that are the pump (and associated plumbing), the rtd and a false bottom to keep the mesh bag off of the heating element.

It's getting there, and I can't wait to brew with the new system!!

The Pot

Got a lot done on the brew pot today. Installed the ball valve and pickup tube, wired the element and finished the cord, and put together the sight tube although that's not installed yet because I need some washers and o-rings. See the pics...

Heating element installed

I got a couple of holes drilled into my new pot....go figure, you buy a pot and drill holes into it, sounds a little crazy!!!......and I got my heating element installed. It looks just like the one they use at +the electric brewery. Unfortunately I didn't put the right size hole in for my ball valve and now I have to wait for different sized washers and silicone o-rings. Which I will have plenty of extra of and will be willing to part with some.

The control box is coming along nicely...again, waiting on some parts and have yet to order others. I should soon be able to have the box totally prepped enough that I can get it painted and put all the exterior parts on.

That's it for now....picture update tomorrow!