ArdBir (formally BrewPi Spark) Herms Build

[Leann ull]

Bloody hell I saw that in Star Wars last week nice job
I'm sure I have the head of a keg somewhere if you want a more permanent blockage

[molc]

Hehehe I have a keg dip tube as well - still need to see if the one I have fits this. It's not something I'm worrying about atm, but probably will do it to make it a nice finish.

I'll post up a few more pics Thursday once I've used it for the first time.

[molc]

It's time for a summary post of the build. At this point all the initial goals have been reached and the further extensions are are scope creep, so thought it might be nice to see where it stands.

Initial goals:

• < €1000 for the initial manual build.

Blew the budget and came in around €1800. However, that included buying an extraction system, the stainless table, plate chiller and an ardbir, not to mention extra tools I needed as I went. I'd say the initial plan overran by about €2-300.

• BrewPi Spark systems for the PID

The thread has been renamed to ArdBir build, as this part was a failure. The software is still nowhere near ready, a year after BrewPi started the mash rework. At this point, the PID and PWM algorithm have been rewritten, but the interface is clunky and very manual.
On the other hand, if ArdBir had logging and a mobile app, it would be head and toes ahead. It's a great solution and something I wholeheartedly recommend. It has achieved my initial goal and then some, so I'm very happy.

• Run on domestic power supply, with 2.5kW low density elements.

Success. The whole system runs on 3 domestic circuits; 2 elements upto 3kw and a third circuit for pumps, air extraction and sundries. It's crude and I'm going to build a proper box for all the electrics, but it's does the trick and is pretty easy to use.
One change here is I upgraded both kegs to run 2 elements. The second element both shortens the ramp time and also actually reduces the heating of the wiring, as they are loaded for less time and not at the limit. I'd strongly recommend always doing your heating elements over what is required, as everything just runs much more comfortably.

• Keggle based.

Yup, and they rock They're heavy beasts, but if you can find a source, they are cheap and very good quality. I clean everything in place using the pumps, so the weight isn't a factor.

I've included pics of all the setup below. They are in separate posts due to size limitations In order:

• Grain storage in the brew kitchen, starting a brew day
• Internals of the HLT, mash tun, complete with new keg lid false bottom and biab bag for easy cleaning, and BK.
• ArdBir and associated SR's, which are separate and below the desk. I'm going to build these out as a separate project, making a simple interface that I can reimplement down the line if I change the control system, using standard network cables.
• Brewday, in auto mode on the ardbir. It just beeps at me and does the mash ramping etc on it's own. It rocks. I love it. Still need to tweak a few parameters; for instance it stops heating as it's doign a pump rest, which I don't need, but that will all be sorted in the next batch. Also the PWM works great with the two elements. It really brings the whole system to life nad means there are much less electrics to manage.
• Cooling with the plate chiller. 15 mins from 90C to 17c. I use a hop spider to stop it getting clogged and push wort through it as fast as the pumps allow.

I should have taken a pic of cleaning as well, but it's basically a case of holding the plate chiller water in the mash tun and pumping it to the BK, followed by an Oxi W5 Clean and finally a rince.

That's it really. I'll probably post in a few months with how I did the electrics box to get rid of all the wiring everywhere, but it's not really part of this build and something that has evolved out of use.

CH, that tour is waiting

[molc]

ArdBir in auto mode, doing the mash, as well as it's wiring. I still use the BrewPi for other temperature probes, but those are more out of curiosity.
Also, using the lauterHexe to hold the biab is overkill - I don't use it since I got the Hop Spider - really must sell it on... Also, in this brew it held the bag up too much and I think it caused by efficiency to go nuts as water channeled down the side of the mash.

[molc]

Air Extraction and the Plate Chiller in action. I keep a towel on the keg lid just to catch any condensate and SMM that might drip down.

[Oh Crap]

Just stop it!!!  I have to turn the iPad screen off every time herself walks by..
Lol
Cool build

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Looks great Molc, you might try a stainless lid for the mash vessel with the wort return connected through the lid. That way it's landing directly on top of the grain rather than returning on the outside of the bag?

[molc]

A little tricky to see on the pic, but the return actually goes through a tube that's passed through a hole I cut in the bag. Just the last batch the bag was very taut, which caused a void to form at the sides.

That said, I have been toying with the idea of a return on the lid, connected to something to spray the liquid out for sparging.

[Will_D]

At last making a start with the Arbbir A-in-O and my grainfather.

Any one else notice that the ds1820 probe is a wisker larger than the GFs probe (which is a thermistor)?

[McMelloW]

At last making a start with the Arbbir A-in-O and my grainfather.

Any one else notice that the ds1820 probe is a wisker larger than the GFs probe (which is a thermistor)?

Yes, I did too.
LOL,    used the grindstone of my wife's nail polishing set to make it a wee bit smaller. After 10min polishing and trying it fitted OK. Start at the edges on the tip and smooth them a bit. Goodluck with it

[cunnol]

Just came upon this, what a beauty. Only recently started all grain, the brown streaks on my wall from ignorantly boiling with no ventilation is making me very jealous of that extractor fan!

[Leann ull]

Ah but does he make good beer
.....unfortunately yes

[molc]

Ah but does he make good beer
.....unfortunately yes

It's debatable. At least, I don't make bad beer. At least not that I talk about. I keep that in a dark place, away from prying eyes

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[molc]

Quick update on this. I've started the wiring and control box for the setup, now that I've got everything bedded in. Got some 8 pin connectors on Ebay and made a cable to connect the control box, which runs in 12V, to the electrics, which has 2 16A circuits wired. Soldering an 8 pin cable with connectors is a real PITA!

Using PowerConn connectors for the mains wiring and have 4 "control" signals coming from the control box, two for pumps and two for the elements. There is a mains override switch for each element, which must be enabled for the ArdBir PWM signal to be allowed through. Pumps are simple on/off switches.

I just need to finish wiring in the relay and live lines, but most of the earth and neutral connects are in now, as well as a full end to end test of the control. Seeing the little red led on the SSR flash was a real relief after putting in all that work.

Pics!

[pob]

looking great