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Super Simple BK Controller
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Kevin59




Joined: 03 Aug 2012
Posts: 1047
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Drinking: Imperial Brown Ale

Working on: Oatmeal Stout, IPA


PostLink    Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


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bueschen wrote:
Thanks Kevin for a great write up! I am planning to steal your terrific design for my own BK controller.
Would you have been able to swap the 3500W element for a 4500W in your rig?


At 240V a 4500W element would draw 18.75A vs 14.58A@3500W. So you'd be pushing your luck on a 20A breaker, and might want to consider increasing wire gauge from 12 to 10.

That Auber controller can handle 25A so that should be fine.

David_H's solution is also a slick way to go for some extra $$$
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bueschen




Joined: 06 Nov 2016
Posts: 3
Location: Maine


PostLink    Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2016 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kevin59 wrote:
bueschen wrote:
Thanks Kevin for a great write up! I am planning to steal your terrific design for my own BK controller.
Would you have been able to swap the 3500W element for a 4500W in your rig?


At 240V a 4500W element would draw 18.75A vs 14.58A@3500W. So you'd be pushing your luck on a 20A breaker, and might want to consider increasing wire gauge from 12 to 10.

That Auber controller can handle 25A so that should be fine.

David_H's solution is also a slick way to go for some extra $$$


That's perfect, thanks Kevin!
I plan to install a 30A GFCI breaker in the panel so when I run the wire I will just be sure to use 10 gauge.
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bueschen




Joined: 06 Nov 2016
Posts: 3
Location: Maine


PostLink    Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2016 2:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I have correctly put Kevin's design to a diagram. Could you experts have a look and point out any errors?


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LW117




Joined: 21 Nov 2016
Posts: 4
Location: NH


PostLink    Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I currently run a 50A control panel with 2 4500W elements in the HLT and 2 4500W elements in the BK. I have brewed over 240 batches on the system in the past two and a half years, and I also use it to clean all of my kegs, which has put a lot of wear and tear on the internal components. I've been contemplating building a separate box for the HLT, and stripping down my current panel to just run the pumps, timer and BK elements. This simplified panel seems roughly like what I'm thinking of, but I'm just curious if someone could help me with what all I will need to build a dedicated HLT panel/a sample wiring diagram if possible?
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Ozarks Mountain Brew




Joined: 22 May 2013
Posts: 737
Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri


PostLink    Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the title says super simple, heres one i built for a friend


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Spritar




Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Location: Thornton, CO


PostLink    Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:39 pm    Post subject: 120v build Reply with quote

This is a great thread. As someone new to electric I really appreciate the time people have put in.

My question...I'm going to build a controller for a 2250w 120v element based on the discussions in this tread since I have easier access where I currently brew to 120. There's no problem running a standard 3-prong plug from the controller to the wall outlet, correct? The element will have an L5-20 plug into the controller. I just didn't see discussion on the actual wall plug. Thanks!
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