CFC temperature display incorporated into control panel

chrisjpryor · Joined: 28 Sep 2017 Posts: 11

I would like to replace the analog thermometer on the the outlet of the counterflow chiller with a temperature probe and a digital display. Perhaps even use another PID controller to switch off the wort pump when it reaches the set temp (I recirculate/whirlpool to chill). Has anyone done such a modification?
The control panel has space for a digital display where the "Electric Brewery" name tag would normally go.
Just curious to see what your thoughts are...

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:52 am Post subject:

I have a probe at my Wort out of the CFC. It doesn't control anything but I use it the way your talking about. I whirlpool and watch that display on the panel. Once that display gets to where I want it I move over to the fermentor.

chrisjpryor · Joined: 28 Sep 2017 Posts: 11

What display are you using for this on the panel?

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:55 am Post subject:

I guess let me go into more detail. I replaced the Mash Tun PID with a dual temp meter.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=618

The top readout is the Mash Tun. The bottom is Wort Out of CFC. I did this because you don't need a PID for the Mash Tun.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 11:56 am Post subject:

Here is my control panel.

chrisjpryor · Joined: 28 Sep 2017 Posts: 11

Thanks for the feedback and the suggestion! This looks like a good option, and doesn't take up more space on the control panel.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 12:20 pm Post subject:

The meter does have alarm outputs. So you could set it up to stop the pump should you want to.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:48 pm Post subject:

chrisjpryor · Joined: 28 Sep 2017 Posts: 11

Thanks Kal. I think what he is saying is that the mash PID doesn't control anything, so a simple temperature readout is all that is necessary, hence being able to replace the PID with the dual temperature monitor. The Dual readout that he linked to has the ability to hook it up to the alarm to notify of temperature reaching the setpoint.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:57 pm Post subject:

@chrisjpryor:

I toyed with the idea of including the CFC output temperature in the control panel. The main reason I didn't is because that temp is controlled through the valve on the wort pump which is down below my brew table, near my CFC. So this way I keep my eye on the CFC temperature at the same spot as where the valve is. If I had to look up at the panel to watch the temp it wouldn't be as convenient or obvious. Instead, the control is in the same spot as the thing I use to monitor the temp.

Completely up to you however how you set things up.

Kal

**kal** · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:58 pm Post subject:

chrisjpryor · Joined: 28 Sep 2017 Posts: 11

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:00 pm Post subject:

**kal** · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:55 pm Post subject:

Gotcha! Sorry for the confusion.

Kal