MLT does not equalize HLT

**kal** · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 3:16 pm Post subject:

Tennessee · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 116 Location: Tennessee

[quote="David_H"]Here is my two cents.
I pump the wort into the top of the HLT and out the bottom. The bottom will always be covered in hot water and therefore should be the hotest wort.

If recirculation process is being used for the "HLT" then the tempeture will be about the same through out
the water columm.

Kal, must have missed your post!

David_H · Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 4:15 pm Post subject:

The water is all the same temperature but IF the HLT water is not covering all of the SS HE, then the water will be hotter simply because there is water there. That was one of the concerns in a previous post. If the top of the HE is uncovered then there "could" be some heat loss. The only reason I can see to pump UP through the HE is the risk of getting air trapped in the HE as the water is pumped DOWN. And that might be a valid reason.

My "intended" point is the discussion of system losses are not important. The HE should transfer the heat of the HLT to MLT pretty quick and the wort path from the HLT the MLT is short and should have very minimal heat loss, therefore the most like error is in measurement of the temperature not the actual temperature itself.

David

mcl · Joined: 11 Oct 2011 Posts: 155

That coil looks like it is quite a bit less than 50 ft. I think that is your issue. If you can't get your herms exit to be the same or very close to your HLT temp then everything else (such as insulation, false bottom) is a mute point.

Mike M · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 3 Location: central NJ

Goofy, but I would think of all metal in touch between HLT and MLT. I think you said you are using different pumps. Maybe they have more thermal mass and thus take time. Not sure why amperage should be fluctuating by ~ 2 amps? You are also using different pots.

Tennessee · Joined: 04 Apr 2015 Posts: 116 Location: Tennessee

mcl · Joined: 11 Oct 2011 Posts: 155

mute, moot whats the difference.

I'm an idiot.

thereverendmaynard · Joined: 05 Aug 2015 Posts: 9

Did you try temp probe calibration like David H suggested?

**kal** · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 3:22 pm Post subject:

Got another email from a user this morning who was seeing a temperature differential between the MLT and HLT and was able to make it go away by swapping out their hoses and pumps for what's recommended in the build instructions.

Use this 7/8" OD silicone hose: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/High-temperature-food-grade-silicone-tubing-1-2-ID-3-4-7-8-OD

Use these center inlet pumps: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/March-809-or-815-pump-with-high-temperature-stainless-steel-housing-3-4-MPT-center-inlet-1-2-MPT-outlet

To quote the user:

"I had originally tested the HERMS with the thinner 1/2 ID silicon and had my pumps setup with the inline heads (long story). I was landing about 1-2 degrees cooler in the mash kettle. I swapped out the pump heads for the front inlet and swapped out the silicon with what you recommend and I now hit the same temp!" - Todd W.

Kal