OTT Brewday power panel

[cushyno]

Inspired by @AdeDunn 's Self build BIAB kit here, I built a do-it-all power panel.


I have the most basic Peco boiler you can buy, but wanted to create a decent power controller that would suit all my brewday power needs and be usable with other Hlt's and kettles.

Feature list:

• Rated at 13A output if I need it.
• Rex-c100 PID controller with 40A SSR.
• Voltage controller 0-100% for variable element power.
• Control switchable via 2x switches (on-off-on double pole) - Off/PID/VC/PID+VC/On
• Panel 240v on/off
• 12V supply on/off
• Fused 12V supply for 2x pumps with Jack plug sockets.
• 12v fan switchable, to keep things cool inside
• Jack plug connector for PT-100 temperature probe.

Finally got to use it yesterday doing a moonlit Weissbier brew and it worked a treat!

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi @cushyno
That looks the Canine Cojones!
I have a three-vessel system. I used two PIDs, each with SSRs and an analog voltage regulator linked to one PID.

 

[cushyno]

Hi @cushyno
That looks the Canine Cojones!
I have a three-vessel system. I used two PIDs, each with SSRs and an analog voltage regulator linked to one PID.
View attachment 16418

Very neat. I see you have illuminated switches. All my switches have indicator lamps too, however the lamps all blew on first use. While the switches are rated for 250v 16A, I think the lamps must have been 12v which is pointless.

Where did you buy yours from?

 

[LeeH]

If the lamps 12/24VDC you can wire them in parallel across the SSR input so they flash when the controller calls for heat. That's what I did and find it pretty cool watching them flash away. (nerd alert)

Congrats on taking the plunge and building your own panel, its very rewarding.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi @cushyno
I got my switches here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/09029-Ma...4967?var=&hash=item417f9e9ab7&redirect=mobile
The wiring diagram shown is pants!

 

[cushyno]

Thanks for the tips guys.

If I can get decent switches it would be worth replacing the four that have blown their lamps, even though that means redoing about 20 soldered joints.

 

[Bigcol49]

even though that means redoing about 20 soldered joints

Hi again,
I used spade connectors in my panel build - a little more expensive but easier, I think.
I found this photo of the "guts" in mid-build.