The Bulldog Brewer

[Motorbikeman]

@motorbikeman, I returned a pump that didn't start when I went to do my second brew. In case it happens again, what did you do to fix it?

I couldn't see anything obvious sticking or jammed at the time and it seemed to be getting power from the switch okay so I just put it aside and contacted HBW who sorted me out pretty quickly.

Its probably going to effect your warranty if you strip the pump,  I did it because I did not want to bin 5kgs of grain.. 

Remove the 4 screws and take the coil off.

There is a little white pin in the  center or the armature .  Note there is also a white washer and black washer on either end that may drop out.  Take a pic of it so you know how they are  positioned.

Gently push the white pin on either end and it will come right through and out.  Give it a wipe and wash the the armature.

Reassemble ..  Making sure the end of the pin is located properly back into the impeller . There is a flat plain on one side which fits into the impellers hole to drive it.

Its a very simple wee thing.  You will need tweezers to get the washers back on.   
Good as new.  Maybe a smear of vegetable oil or coconut oil may help keep it moving..   Any thoughts on that? 

Dont expect the brew shop to take a return if you open it.   

[johnrm]

The pumps look like solar pumps.
I'm guessing sticky wort is gumming it up.
At the end of your brewday, circulate hot water through for a few mins.
Dump it.
Do it again.

[SB]

Really like this look of this but just worried that it isn't very robust or reliable from reading some of the comments. For the people who bought one would you recommend it

[Motorbikeman]

Really like this look of this but just worried that it isn't very robust or reliable from reading some of the comments. For the people who bought one would you recommend it

imm.  i like it.  I had problems today, but its things i can correct for future brews. 
pump problem easy to fix.
difficulties sparging.
both small niggles. 
It will be easy to master and make decent beer with. 
I will be keeping it.  And possibly upgrading parts as time goes on .   
It was raining all day here and for the first time ,i could brew indoors.. 

[SB]

Thanks for the reply motorbikeman. It does look like it will make brewday simpler when it works.  Think I will treat myself for Christmas. Please keep the updates coming as you use it more

[auralabuse]

I got one and love it. Cut brew day right back and the beer quality up. I have a Bridgewater hop spider too and that helps. I have 2 spare solar pumps should the pump ever give out as that is the most likely point of failure for me. Really neat piece of kit. The main unit is well made and seems very robust. Has actually made brew day a pleasure again.

[SB]

Cheers auralabuse sounds good. Like the idea of shortening the brewday and less things to clean. Do you have a link to the spare pumps you got that fit this unit?

[Slev]

......  Cut brew day right back and the beer quality up...

How long is your brewday now?  From the time you flick on the power to finish of clean up?

[auralabuse]

I'm just short of 5 hours, but now I can do other stuff too,multitasking me

[johnrm]

If you're looking to cost justify these...
Assume minimum wage of eur10.
Of your 5 hours, say 3 are doing non-beer, wife friendly things.
At 30 Euro a brew it's paid for in 10 brews.

[SB]

If you're looking to cost justify these...
Assume minimum wage of eur10.
Of your 5 hours, say 3 are doing non-beer, wife friendly things.
At 30 Euro a brew it's paid for in 10 brews.

I like your logic, however those 3 "wife friendly" hours will most likely be spent doing more shopping so it probably ends up costing you more money in the long run! 

[johnrm]

That's where you counter with...
'Hey Honey, how about we save more money by not going shopping and I invite the guys around for a brewday?'.

[SB]

  will try that so!

[auralabuse]

My brew days are strictly wife free events

[TonyC]

Thanks to Damofto for giving me some beersmith profile settings. 

Just a question or two.   

I have it all set ready to roll.   Before, I always had to heat up my cooler box mash tun water to around 7 or 8 degrees higher  to compensate for the incoming cooler grain.  This in turn always landed on my desired mash temp.. 

I see with your temperature mash setting that this is no longer added to beer smith.  Is this correct?   Do I no longer need to adjust for cool grain being added?   

No.2

I changed the water to grain ratio on each of these to 3.80l/kg, you can do this by double clicking on the Saccharification line which will bring up another screen.

Why did you change this setting?   I dont disagree with it,  im just wondering why it needs changed.

Any chance you can share these profile settings. I am new to beersmith and trying to set it up.

Yep I'm whirlpooling so it allows all the heavy crap to fall out before I transfer to fermenter

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