Beer Forum

This is a forum for enlisted and new recruits of the BN Army. Home brewers bringing it strong! Learn how to brew beer, trade secrets, or talk trash about your friends.
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/

Kick arse new RIMS module

http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10585

Page 1 of 1

Kick arse new RIMS module

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:28 am
by Thirsty Boy
So a mate of mine with access to lots of "scrap" stainless has welded me up a RIMS module. I am changing from HERMS to RIMS because I want a more sensitive and responsive temp control system.

Anyway, this thing a bloody monster!! 4 inch stainless pipes and the biggest tri-clover fittings you have ever seen. It is fitted with an 1800-2000W element that I pulled out of a cheap supermarket kettle, but the unit is designed so I can exchange for a more suitable element if the cheapie doesn't work out.

Wort flows in one end at the bottom and exits at the other end up the top, crossing the element on the way. Because the end plates are removable, I can reverse the flow or turn the unit upside down and still keep the in low - out high thing going. I will probably hang it off the tri-clover lugs under my brew bench, to keep it lower than my mash tun, making sure it always has liquid in it. And it can be opened right up for cleaning.

Its just so solid and damn well shiny that I had to post pictures of it

Image Image Image Image Image

Water only trials on Friday to get the PID tuned for the new format and to learn a bit about how long things will take etc etc. Then a commissioning run on Saturday or Sunday. Most likely something light and delicate to see if there is any scorching etc going on.

mmmmm chunky stainless gizmo. What more could a homebrewer ask for??

Thirsty

Re: Kick arse new RIMS module

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:00 pm
by Sent From My iPhone
I'm getting a woody.

Re: Kick arse new RIMS module

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:28 pm
by johnc66
Damn nice unit.. err equipment...um big shiny stainless... nevermind :oops:

Re: Kick arse new RIMS module

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:59 am
by Thirsty Boy
Trials have been run -

Its holding temp during rests to less than 1°C variance - its ramping at slightly better than 1°C per minute - and the overshoot at the end of the ramps is only about 1°C and it comes back to the set temp within 2mins.

A distinct improvement on the HERMS I have been running - a little tweaking and a slight upgrade of my PID sensor from K type thermocouple to pt100 and it should get everything within 0.5°C all the time.

Most satisfied.

Now all I have to do is find the time to use it to brew some beer......

All times are UTC - 8 hours
Page 1 of 1