ArdBir (formally BrewPi Spark) Herms Build

[biertourist]

What size is the sheet metal punches

13/16" for all the 1/2 BSP fittings, 1 1/4" for the camco element.

The element enclosure is excellent. A perfect fit and it's earthed with a cable gland.

Where'd you get the element guard / enclosure?  VERY shiny!

[biertourist]

BrewPi Spark Photon comes out any day now.... https://store.brewpi.com/brewpi-spark/brewpi-spark-bundle 

[auralabuse]

BrewPi Spark Photon comes out any day now.... https://store.brewpi.com/brewpi-spark/brewpi-spark-bundle

Drool

[molc]

Where'd you get the element guard / enclosure?  VERY shiny!

Brewpi, under the mashing part of the shop. He shows it in his overview video as well. After the safety video at the brew on, I wanted to make sure everything was enclosed and earthed.

[molc]

BrewPi Spark Photon comes out any day now.... https://store.brewpi.com/brewpi-spark/brewpi-spark-bundle

Yup I have the first version with the older spark and it's working well. The software is a few months away, but I still use it for mashing by just using the graph as a live view and keeping a separate log for the brew process.

[armedcor]

How does the enclose attach to the kettle? Maybe a stupid question but I just can't see it.

[molc]

How does the enclose attach to the kettle? Maybe a stupid question but I just can't see it.

Voila. Fully assembled. Just push it through the hole and tighten the retaining nut on the bottom of the enclosure.

[armedcor]

Got it! Very smart construction!

[molc]

Hlt build done in the old plastic boil kettle. Mostly painless, though I still need to do a wet test. Also cocked up the return arm and put it too close to the top herms input, so I had to turn the tap by 90 Degrees.
The herms is tight but should be perfect in a keg.
The hole punch makes it all very easy and the parts are excellent to fit.

[armedcor]

Sweet jeeeesus! I would be happy with that as a hlt job done! haha

[Leann ull]

Looks sweet definitely worth giving that a trial, only problem with hole punch is can't use on kegs

[armedcor]

Looks sweet definitely worth giving that a trial, only problem with hole punch is can't use on kegs

I've punched 6 holes with my q max punches on kegs. No problem at all.

[Leann ull]

Most stainless kegs are 1.8mm and I believe conditioned steel also slightly thicker towards the bottom, qmax cutters normally only rated to do up to 1.6 on mild steel.
There are a few metal nuts around here I'd like to hear their comments?

[armedcor]

Yea i've read that before but I've done two kegs now no problem at all. The punches could definitely handle a few more. Good few lads over on jimsbeerkit who've used the Qmax on their keggles.

[Leann ull]

Yep I saw the guys on Jims alright, I have a couple myself but didn't want to wreck them on my early keggles.