|
Home
Scotsman
Updates!!!
Brewery
Hop
Plantation
Malt
Mill
My RIMS
HLT
Mash
Tun
Boil
Kettle
RIMS
Unit
DS1820
Controller
Relay
Controller
Electrics
Software
Conical
Electric
Mash Stirrer
Brewing
Videos
Recipes
Used To Date
Documents
Are
You Being Served
Links
| |
Many RIMS that I found documented on the web ran a 240V water heater
element. They powered this element with a 110V supply. This
"roughly" quarters its power output. I also found sites that
indicated that this caused problems with maintaining a temperature due to
thermal loss, either through the piping or directly through the mash tun.
I wanted to use 240V, this meant using the dryer outlet, but it also meant I
still had to reduce the power output of the heater element. I solved this
by running TWO heater elements in series. I am using two 4500Watt
elements, which ends up being about 800Watts a piece once the math is
done. This way, I should have no problem heating the wort to the
temperatures I need to mash. It also means, by using low density water
heater elements, I should not be scorching the wort either.
I designed the RIMS unit and had Stainless Design, on Walnut
Street in New Albany, Ohio do the work for me again. Taking a look at the
pictures below, you get to see the result!
The unit is powered via Solid State Relays under computer control, the two
water heater elements are wired in series. I can either plug the RIMS Unit
directly into a special 240V outlet for heating cleaning solution in
circulation, or control it via the SSR's during mashing.
Click on the thumb nails to launch to a large version of the picture.
| Picture |
Description |
 |
This is one end of the RIMS Unit. This shows the
1" coupling piece, welded to 1" tube, with a T piece welded on
as well. The left outlet to the T piece was bored out, to allow
insertion of a rubber bung. This is where the digital thermometer
probe is inserted. |
 |
Another shot of the RIMS Unit, same end and a bit closer. |
 |
The RIMS Unit with the water heater element screwed in
place. |
 |
The RIMS Unit in place on my shelving, with the Hot Liquour
Tank shown on the shelf above it. By looking closely, you can see
that the inlet/outlet ports both have quick disconnects and T pieces to
allow insertion of digital thermometers. I have put rubber
"cups" over the ends of the RIMS Unit to protect myself from
accidental shock. I have been bitten by 240V before (a long time
ago, not part of this process!), and it really does not feel good! |
 |
A close up of the outlet side of the RIMS unit, I had the
outlet side down, to allow for better drainage of hot wort and cleaning
solutions. You can clearly see the male quick disconnect and the
computer that controls the digital thermometers and Solid State Relays in
the back ground. |
 |
The pump used to circulate the hot wort and when the mash is
done, I use it to transfer the sparged wort into the Boil
Kettle.
The pump is a March MDX3, it has all the criteria I need to be used for
hot, food grade fluids and I picked it up for $25 on an auction site!
You can see the stainless steel fittings and ball valve, as well as the
quick disconnects I attached for making my brewing life easy! |
 |
A closeup of the DS1820 on the exit port of the RIMS
unit. I had the T-piece drilled out so that I could insert a #3
drilled stopper, then I insert a stainless tube with one end welded
closed. Then the DS1820 is inserted. |
 |
Same as above, just a different angle! |
 |
A graph of the performance of the Dual Element RIMS
Unit. This was created by sampling the temperature at the outlet of
the RIMS whilst operating. The MARCH Pump was operating at full
capacity and both RIMS Elements were operating. Performance was 1.7
Degrees increase in temperature per minute of operation. In 38
minutes the temperature increased by 68 degrees. |
 |
Test run of software and RIMS Unit, showing the various
temperatures being read, status if heater elements etc. This test
data was obtained using water only and a data sample rate of one sample in
every ten seconds. The raw data can be obtained on the linked page. |
|
