OVHA Chat

Well all the parts are in.. Starting the build up of my temp controller for my HERMS system.
Maybe a little overkill but we had all the parts but the valves laying around so what the hell...

Are you using a single loop controller and proportional valve?

Dutch wrote:Are you using a single loop controller and proportional valve?

Single loop controller and two stainless 1/2" solenoid valves. My logic is to have the wort circulating for the full mash duration. The valves are "normally closed" so I will have the controller pull one open and leave the other closed to bypass the HERMS when the temp is correct. If the temp drops below the set point the controller will switch the valves and the wort will be routed through the HERMS coil.

This should allow for constant circulation and still be able to hold temps to +/- 1deg.

I need a control box!

I now have a control panel

I can't seem to find the control panel on my custom built 52 quart Igloo mash tun.

JohnD wrote:I can't seem to find the control panel on my custom built 52 quart Igloo mash tun.

My old one was on the side, you might look there.

Finished up and things look pretty good.. Now for a dry run before the next brew...

Three position switch to go from auto mode to full manual control. This way I can override the temp controller and switch the valves for cleaning.

Separate pump switches to control hot and cold water pumps. Although with the new plate chiller I will most likely not need the cold water pump for chilling Quick disconnects on the temp probe and valves just in case...

Yea but can it tell time?
Looks great.
You need to do a HERMS Special Brew now to try it out.

The goal is to do a Munich Dunkel when the grain order comes in...

Congrats and well done!

Way beyond my skill set, but very cool!

Looks good!

For the temperature control are you changing only the flow of wort through the HERMS coil with the controller, or are you also controlling the burners at the same time?

jesskauffman wrote:Looks good!

Thanks..

jesskauffman wrote:For the temperature control are you changing only the flow of wort through the HERMS coil with the controller, or are you also controlling the burners at the same time?

Just changing the flow.. I have the water in the HTL held at the temp I need for the sparge. This way I kill two birds..
1 - I have my sparge water ready to go
2 - Use that water heat to work in a step mash if I want and hold the mash temp to +/- 1 deg.

I have been working on this setup for about a year now. I searched all over the Web for build tips but it was hard to find any really good sources for info. I think I am going to fire up a blog site and put all my findings in one place along with maybe a video or two of the system in action to show the advantages and disadvantages of the HERMS.

All in all I am really happy with the system and my beers are getting better every brew. It does add a little more work on the clean up side but I think the benefit of a completely controllable temp on the mash out weighs the time to clean up. Besides, what the hell else is there to do while you are waiting for the wort to boil..