Archive for June 2010
HLT Temperature Control
Posted June 30, 2010
on:- In: Brewing
- 8 Comments
Hot Liquor Tank (HLT) temperature control with an STC-1000 Temperature controller from Ebay.
Temp controller in place from the rear:
Case internals so far, thought I’d include an Earthing block (which I didn’t use, though I might earth the Pipework on the HLT sometime):
Temp sensor fitted to side of HLT http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0461159 :
Controller fitted to case front with approx positions of the Heating & Cooling Sockets:
This box will be on the wall next to the HLT and wired from a fused Spur, When I get a fermentation fridge I’ll just get an extension lead and plug it in, though I may have to figure out a switchable Temp sensor to I can swap between two… though I suppose I could just buy a second Temp controller (*a couple of small 2-pin plugs & sockets would do this).
Holes cut and sockets in position:
I decided, seeing as I have plenty of case depth, I’d use the full pattress boxes to secure the socket fronts:
The Wiring:
Live Feeds to in series:
- -Temp Controller
- -Heating Relay
- -Cooling Relay
Switched Relay Feeds to:
- -3 Pin Live! on both sockets
To Neutral Feed in series:
- -Both 3 Pin Socket Neutrals
- -Temp controller
Wall Mounted and Wired into a Fused Spur:
The Inside, knot tied in sensor lead so I don’t go pulling it:
Heating LED on, heating up:
No LED indicator showing, Heating OFF, set to 81c with a 1c drop so it stays 80c or above:
🙂 I just need to finish painting the walls, Paint the floor, and complete my Brewery Stand!!
The Plastic box came from www.rselectricalsupplies.co.uk
Brewday Thermometer Testing
Posted June 13, 2010
on:- In: Brewing | Random
- 2 Comments
After my last two Imperial Stout Brewdays and peoples comments on efficiency and extraction, I thought I would test my thermometers.
Below are tests with a jug full of Ice & Water for the ZERO point and a pan of boiling water for the BOILING point.
The test subjects:
The Cold Test
All submerged in Ice Water:
My Cheap, from Hong Kong, regular brewday Thermometer in Ice Water reads 0.5c:
The glass spirit thermometer reads -2c in Ice Water which I was quite surprised at:
Another Cheap Hong Kong food thermometer reads 0.9c in Ice Water:
My £15 ebay purchased Thermamite 5 reads 1c though it only reads in 1 degree increments:
The Hot Test
The Thermamite 5 reads a 100c, which feels reassuring:
Cheap Food thermometer reads 99c:
My regular brewday thermometer reads 100c too:
The spirit thermometer reads 100.5c:
A fair range of inaccuracy but at least I know the ones I’ve been using are about the more reliable 🙂