Hopsteep’s Panel Build

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user 18729

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Well, thought I’d make the most out of Lockdown and made a start on my control panel build. I was originally going to build a panel with two PIDs for use with my two vessel HERMS set up, but wanting to future proof it and hopefully have it wired up to a 2BBL brewery one day in the near future I’m going with a full panel build as per the electric brewery.

Finished cutting most of the holes this afternoon, next step is to attach the heat sinks, sand down and paint the enclosure.

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I’ll update this thread with a few pictures and try to explain the hurdles along the way!
 
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Nearly forgot the cheapo stainless handles from deepest darkest China!
 

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Waiting on another can of spray paint to arrive to give the outside of the enclosure one final coat. In the mean time I’ve fitted the receptacles to the gland plate
 
Are you planning any labels for the switches and buttons?
I will at some stage but for some nice engraved plastic ones it’s over £50 😬 I think my other half’s head would depart if I spend out much more

Edit- she’s bought a bloody caravan today so my chances of getting away with a brewing purchase have gone out of the window... 🙈
 
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Painting all done. Took about three coats in the end. Brought it in from the garage to give the paint a chance to cure before fitting everything back in.

My top tip so far for anyone fabricating the enclosure- don't use the small 40A heat sinks buy a large one for the top. It was a pain in the **** JB welding them in place, as with only a mm or two as an overlap there is a good chance that the epoxy has adhered to both the SSR and heat sink to the enclosure. (I did try to epoxy the heat sink without the SSRs fitted but the resin looked as though it was encroaching on the space needed for the SSR from underneath.) If one fails in the future and it won't drop out I'll probably end up knocking both of them out and cut a larger hole.

The wiring is all new to me so I will try and do things in stages and no doubt ask the odd silly question on here when I get stuck!

Ordered a few bits this morning to make a start...
 
Many thanks @Hopsteep for detailing this build. I am part way through a three vessel 70l build and whilst I am pretty handy at most things for some reason I keep putting off starting the panel.

Where did you get your enclosure as I can’t seem to find a reasonably priced one? Also, are you thinking about controlling the power of the element in the brew kettle as I haven’t a clue how I am going to achieve this?

Thanks again for detailing this build on the forum.
 
Many thanks @Hopsteep for detailing this build. I am part way through a three vessel 70l build and whilst I am pretty handy at most things for some reason I keep putting off starting the panel.

Where did you get your enclosure as I can’t seem to find a reasonably priced one? Also, are you thinking about controlling the power of the element in the brew kettle as I haven’t a clue how I am going to achieve this?

Thanks again for detailing this build on the forum.

The enclosure is one from RS (400x400x200 I think) at about £50. There are always a few old enclosures on eBay that’s worth searching for you might find a bargain.

The elements will be controlled using PID controllers. They essentially ‘burst’ the elements on/off through a SSR and control the elements that way 👍
 
Thanks @Hopsteep and I think I have been a bit thick. I have already bought the PID‘s which are IST-900‘s ISTR. The boil kettle element is 4kw and whilst I am comfortable in how to safely wire that up I was stupidly thinking that it would be good to adjust its power.

As I read your post I had one of those head slap moments where I appreciated my stupidity. Obviously, if I set a temperature the PID will hold the kettle at that temperature and the power of the element will only dictate for how long it is on for. I think that’s right?
 
Thanks @Hopsteep and I think I have been a bit thick. I have already bought the PID‘s which are IST-900‘s ISTR. The boil kettle element is 4kw and whilst I am comfortable in how to safely wire that up I was stupidly thinking that it would be good to adjust its power.

As I read your post I had one of those head slap moments where I appreciated my stupidity. Obviously, if I set a temperature the PID will hold the kettle at that temperature and the power of the element will only dictate for how long it is on for. I think that’s right?

Yeah that’s my understanding! I’m in the same boat as you mate this is all new to me and I don’t pretend to be an expert. I enjoy fabricating all things brewing related but this will definitely be a challenge 🍺
 
This may help-

Enclosure:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/wall-boxes/7755801/
Neutrik Power in:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005LUV9DQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Neutrik Powercons:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TLY4CST/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Stop Button:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FS1Y3VQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Three position element select switch:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KFTSLJC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Volt/Amp meter:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07CZCGD9X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Main power key switch:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07K3YGJ2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
PID controllers:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01MY2B6BR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Timer:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inkbird-Di...4&sr=1-2-91e9aa57-911e-4628-99b3-09163b7d9294
Timer/alarm reset button:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ipp/333559319090?transactionId=1768028468014&_trksid=p2047675.l48352
Buzzer:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22mm-Pan...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Pilot Lights (various colours):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pilot-Li...var=560398693679&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Two position switches:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ipp/274107423534?transactionId=2293357191017&_trksid=p2047675.l48352
Cheapo stainless handles:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Square-B...var=610717748921&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
 
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