Electric Brewery Suggestions

[Araxi]

That's exactly what the plans call for thireye. Thank you.

[mr x]

It's definitely counting on the silicone to seal that element. This is because of the electrical box plate cover. It may be tried and true on the electric panel side, but that element installation is not a good design, as the o-ring should be directly between the element shoulder and the surface of the kettle. That is the way they are installed on hot water heater elements, and that is the way they were designed. There is a reason for that.

You'll have to poke holes in my system to get it to leak. Making sure things don't leak is what I do for a living.

[AllanMar]

Look closely. The oring only seals one path.

That's not naysaying, it's pointing out an issue for people who miss details.

Would encasing the two terminals in silicone take care of a possible "electrocution through use" scenario?

That's probably the opposite direction you'd want to go. Proper grounding would be the best way to take of a "electrocution through use" scenario.

I'm with X on this one, although there's nothing totally wrong about Kal's way. Lots of people have done it, and it's not really that bad. I just think with the amount of money he dished out for everything else, and the OCD attitude he took to most of the other items it seems a bit out of place.

If you want to talk about tried and true, nothing beats it screwed into a 1" NPS fitting with sealing gasket (ie how they are commercially installed).

[mr x]

Look closely. The oring only seals one path.

That's not naysaying, it's pointing out an issue for people who miss details.

Would encasing the two terminals in silicone take care of a possible "electrocution through use" scenario?

I'm not really worried about electrocution. I'm more concerned about the mess, and just a poorly thought out design.

[Araxi]

Alrighty then, this is exactly why I don't post much regarding my brewery, you know what they say about everybody having opinions

[mr x]

Look closely. The oring only seals one path.

That's not naysaying, it's pointing out an issue for people who miss details.

Would encasing the two terminals in silicone take care of a possible "electrocution through use" scenario?

That's probably the opposite direction you'd want to go. Proper grounding would be the best way to take of a "electrocution through use" scenario.

The grounding and GFI are about as good a safety feature as you'll come up with, short of doing really crazy stuff.

[AllanMar]

Alrighty then, this is exactly why I don't post much regarding my brewery, you know what they say about everybody having opinions

I think you're taking this a bit too personally, the term constructive criticism comes to mind. What if Kal had this attitude?

Although your right on the opinions aspect, haha.

The grounding and GFI are about as good a safety feature as you'll come up with, short of doing really crazy stuff.

A pro-GFI comment from mrx, I can't believe my eyes!

[mr x]

I actually used one today, lol. Probably worked, hahahha

Bruce, there's no sense taking things personally. Nobody's here to slam anybody's way of brewing per say, but it's just a plain matter of engineering that the way that element installation is designed relies on the silicone to seal it. Having used silicone before on trial installation, I found it to be less than robust, and not reliable enough compared to the alternative. That install would be ok if the elements were designed to use an oring to seal in three directions, but they are not.

[Araxi]

I wouldn't necessarily say it's taking it personally. Let's look at it this way. If somebody said "hey, I use the so and so brewing system" I would say "cool that's awesome buddy enjoy it" I would NOT find the weakest point of that system and bring it to light but that's just me I guess.

[mr x]

Well I didn't bring up the subject in order to trash it. I was just pointing out what I see as being wrong when it was mentioned, which is something I would appreciate if I was about to embark on a project. At any rate, this is getting way off topic.

[jeffsmith]

I think it was more a heads up to Shane about possible pitfalls. I don't see any harm in that…

[McGruff]

I am electric. I went with a galvanized cover over my elements glued with JB weld. I thought of using a O ring, but went with the foam washer that came with the element. I thought that if it is good enough for a hot water heater, then it would be good enough for me. I welded a SS coupler to my sanke keg and it was just a matter of screwing in the element. I didn't use any silicon caulking around the element. It is all GFI protected and grounded. I did all this last summer. I should take to cover off and have a look to see inside, even though the GFI is supposed to trip if any water leaked in. I mean the whole set up is not up to any code I would think.

[RubberToe]

I just remembered, there's also Glacier Tanks. http://www.glaciertanks.com/

[mr x]

Oh yes, have seen them on eBay...

[AllanMar]

I've ordered from glacier tanks a couple times (just some triclamp stuff, nothing big). Can't speak to their quality, but they have been very good to deal with.

They charge like a 2% fee for non-cash payments, which bugs me though.... (I didn't think this was even allowed under credit card merchant agreements).

[mr x]

They aren't the only people doing that. Mout International (http://www.biereetvin.com/en/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) charges 2.5% if paying by credit card.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

A lot of ppl have a 2% discount if you buy cash/debit. Apparently that way it doesn't violate their agreements.

[AllanMar]

A lot of ppl have a 2% discount if you buy cash/debit. Apparently that way it doesn't violate their agreements.

Most agreements I've seen have tightened up such that your not allowed to do that either. I know this is also against PayPal policy, I've never bothered to complain. I don't know how closely either PayPal or MC/Visa enforce this.

[derek]

They charge like a 2% fee for non-cash payments, which bugs me though.... (I didn't think this was even allowed under credit card merchant agreements).

It's still not allowed in Canada, but I think it's different in the US.

[canuck]

Hmmmm, not a bad price!

http://conical-fermenter.com/about/atta ... ng-system/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LiverDance]

Hmmmm, not a bad price!

http://conical-fermenter.com/about/atta ... ng-system/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Certainly is, and it fits all your parameters very well too

[canuck]

So just an update on where I stand with my nano brewery. I had a long chat with Stout Tanks yesterday about the system that I want and this is the quote that he sent me. It's a 1 bbl system (45 gal BK, 40 gal HLT, 40 gal MLT, 40 gal conical, and 37 gal bright tank). It's $5400 without legs and $5800 with legs. It also comes ready to add the necessary elements, so I wouldn't have to worry about punching holes like the Blichmann gear. I've attached the actual quote. Thoughts?

[Araxi]

That's a pretty nice setup Shane. The workmanship on there equipment is amazing. If you do in fact choose to go with the Blichmann gear I have the necessary punches and would be willing to help you out.

[canuck]

That's a pretty nice setup Shane. The workmanship on there equipment is amazing. If you do in fact choose to go with the Blichmann gear I have the necessary punches and would be willing to help you out.

Thanks Bruce, that's very kind of you! I'm still on the fence between going with Blichmann gear (especially since it's free shipping) and Stout tanks gear. I had a long chat with Sean Dunbar from Picaroons at the Saint John Ale House right before I left for vacation and he highly encouraged me to go for the largest system that I could afford. So I think it's going to be between Blichmann's 55 gal gear or Stout's 1 bbl complete system.

[hogie]

Just curious Shane, did you end up going with Stout or Blichmann?