HERMS Automation Build

jesskauffman · Post by **jesskauffman** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:04 am

Ah, I see. Thank you for the explanation. That also appears to be a safer method of controlling mash temp without the potential dangers of relying on a sensor controlled switch to automatically turn the burners on and off

. While it's obviously doable, what with all the set-ups out there that automatically control the burner action for temperature control, you're method minimizes worries of propane run amok, which is nice.

Maybe you could go through your set-up as a featured topic at one of the club meetings this year? I'm sure all of us would love to see the work you put into it. And of course drink the beer that it produces!

M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:37 am

Very nice!! I have recently built an E-HERMS and have a technical question for you. Where is your thermocouple or rtd taking your temp reading from? After the coil? Or in the tun itself?

msjulian · Post by **msjulian** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:57 pm

Right now I have the coupler reading the output temp of the tun. It is reading the temp of the mash right before it enters the coil. I am not sure were the best place is for the control so I am testing it out is few places. My next batch I think I am going to move it closer to the tun. I am coming to the conclusion that I would really like to have the coupler right in the middle of the grain bed. I think this will be more stable and not lend itself to line cooling. I have a thermometer in the middle of the bed and that is what I set my controller to hold. I seem to always see a 5deg difference in the grain bed and the coupler. So if I am shooting for a 152deg mash I set the controller to 147deg and it will hold the bed at 152deg for as long as I want it.

M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:08 am

I may have to try that method myself. As of right now I am actually taking my temp reading after the coil and right before it dumps back on top of the mash. Ofcourse there are so many variables that play a role in efficient heat exchange... Length of coil.. Amount of water in HLT.. Flow.. Etc. My theory behind placing the temp reading after the coil was I was afraid of overshooting my target temp by overheating the circulated wort. I Also have a thermocouple in the middle of
The tun that is used for indication only. I only brewed up two batches with it setup this way but found it way more reliable than taking the control reading from the middle of the tun. All of the runnings after the mash are crystal clear! I was so excited bout this! I guess it is the simple things in life. Please keep this thread posted on what you find out with moving the temp closer to the tun.

Chris Norrick · Post by **Chris Norrick** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:32 am

I think this is what you guys are looking for:

WilliamsWarn Personal Brewery

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M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Sat May 07, 2011 8:33 pm

I just added a self rotating sparge arm and am using it as we speak.... Or type. I have extra materials for another if you would like to have one for your setup. Cost ya 1 12 oz homebrew though

msjulian · Post by **msjulian** » Wed May 11, 2011 1:43 pm

M_norrick wrote:I just added a self rotating sparge arm and am using it as we speak.... Or type. I have extra materials for another if you would like to have one for your setup. Cost ya 1 12 oz homebrew though

Been thinking about a sparge arm... do you have pics? I think I could manage your price...

M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Wed May 18, 2011 3:11 pm

I have a video of it actually working but I am sure the file size is a bit big to post. If you want... Pm me your phone number and I can send it that way.

M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Wed May 18, 2011 8:11 pm

Don · Post by **Don** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:01 pm

I like.

M_norrick · Post by **M_norrick** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:19 pm

Just posted the video on YouTube of the arm working. Here is the link

Don · Post by **Don** » Mon May 28, 2012 5:44 pm

It's not as pretty as Michael or Matt's HERMS but here is my RIMS at work.

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