All,
I am still in the research phase of everything, and am on a limited budget to do all I want (about $1.5k). For all that I want to do, I want to build the stand, control panels (more on this below), sink, vent, and wiring.
Building the stand won't require much since I think I can repurpose my single tier stand that I use right now with propane, just a few adjustments, and then put plywood on top. Though, I notice many stands use multiple boards rather than plywood. Is there a reason for this?
I will be pulling about 70 ft of 6/3 wiring from the main panel with a 50amp GFCI breaker at the main panel. I plan on bringing it down into this sub panel: https://www.amazon.c...uct_top?ie=UTF8
The sub panel will have two 30 amp 240v breakers and two 20 amp 120v breakers to begin with, with plans to add another 30 amp 240v breaker later if needed(One 30a for the primary BK, one 30a for the HLT, and then the spare 30a for a possible secondary BK in the future so that I can run a dual boil once I’m done with the HLT, which could also just stand as a spare if an element burns out or the BK controller or SSR burns out). the 30a breakers will each be wired to a standard 240v wall switch rated for 30amps: https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-3032-2-Toggle-Double-Pole-Grounding/dp/B00271GTQY?ie=UTF8&keywords=240v%20wall%20switch&qid=1459651825&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 and from the switch to the mini control panel.
There will also be some 120v switches put in as well that will be used to switch outlets that control the vent fan, pumps, and grain mill (I plan on wall mounting the grain mill above the mash tun on a hinge). (I also plan on putting my coffee roaster in this area, so one 120v circuit will go to that as well most likely)
To cut down on costs and keep things simple, I was thinking about doing separate smaller control panels for the BK and HLT. I was planning on using the kit from stilldragon for the BK: https://stilldragon....roller-kit.html (I’ve seen the nice big control panels that everyone else seems to use. I find it overly complicated and expensive for all those pieces, though they do look nice!)
For the HLT, I am still figuring things out, but was planning on going with a 12vdc temperature controller to control the SSR (most SSR’s I’m finding are switched with 3-32 vdc). I already have a 12vdc power supply that I could use too. I will most likely use a thermowell in the HLT for the temperature probe
I plan on hardwiring the mini control panels using these AC Whips from the sub panel: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Liquidtite-10-3-in-x-6-ft-AC-Whip/202286686 since I won’t need a neutral inside the control panels. I’ll adjust length so that the wires can reach inside the sub panel to the breakers
I know most do one big control panel, but I thought for myself that doing two smaller control panels would be easier and also cheaper. The wall is cinder block, and I was thinking about attaching a 2x8 to it which I would then attach a cheap monitor arm to for each control panel. I am essentially putting part of what most have inside their control panel on my wall. I hope that makes sense.
I was also planning on using this fan: https://www.amazon.c...=I1YQ1SNY080WXU
And then pipe it and build a cheap vent for the area. There is an FRP board vent hood build that looks like something I could adapt.
I also wanted a big sink: https://www.homedepo..._-203155730-_-N
Which will allow me to clean right there, which I also have a sump pump for the washing machine that is close by that I should be able to drain to.
For the cold water line, I was thinking I should go ahead and sweat some copper and Tee off one of the lines that is overhead. For the hot water though, since I am so close to the washing machine, I was thinking of just getting a washing machine hose long enough so that I can split off of that for the sink. The cold water line I would split a few times to feed the water filter, chiller, and the sink.
For chilling, I have a dual stage counterflow that I built. I was planning on just running an extra garden hose out of the garage from the first stage using groundwater (I don’t want to fill up the septic tank), and then the second stage is with a submersible pump and ice water. I also have an immersion chiller that I could use in the winter time, though I don’t know if I would want it resting on top of the electric element.
I also plan on building some cheap shelves on the side which will allow me to keep some things on hand, as well as store my coffee roasting equipment, beans, and scale.
For my kettles, I was planning on getting the weldless bulkhead from stilldragon: https://stilldragon....ad-fitting.html along with their element guard kit: https://stilldragon....-guard-kit.html
And then get 5500 watt stainless elements from one of the many vendors online (a lot of them seem to be out at the moment).
So how does this all sound? It is definitely still a work in progress, and I won’t be able to start on this for another month or so (other projects I need to finish first, and save up the money as well). I have changed the design in my head many times, but this is about where it stands at the moment. I am open to advice and constructive criticism. From my spreadsheet so far, it looks like I should be able to do all this within my budget, though it will be close after taxes and shipping costs!
