58 replies to this topic

[3rd party JKor]

No, I thought about doing what drez is doing with the AC unit glycol system but I never really got down the road beyond thinking about it. 

[HVB]

If you watch the Spike bargain cave you can grab a flex+ for $300 shipped. That is what I did and plan to for a second.

[3rd party JKor]

Tempting. I'll keep an eye out. I'm fine with the buckets for now. I'm spending a fair chunk of change on the brew system (among other things) right now. I'll probably wait until next year to upgrade the fermenters...unless the price is right.

I can definitely see a glycol system down the road, too.

[HVB]

Making progress.  Pump and hose came over the weekend.  I just need to finish it and get the glycol.  I did a water test and it worked great. 

 

 

I still need to seal the cooler back up.

 

 

 

Box is coming along.  I will paint it after I get it all done.

 

 

[HVB]

So far the only money I have put out has been for the Pump ($26) and Hose (100 feet for $20) .  The last expense is going to be glycol. I think I would have to buy that with a commercial unit as well.

[matt6150]

So you will have a submersible pump in the cooler recirculating the glycol? What kind of temp control are you using and where do you put the probe?

[positiveContact]

So you will have a submersible pump in the cooler recirculating the glycol? What kind of temp control are you using and where do you put the probe?

 

you are lucky this isn't the PH.

[HVB]

So you will have a submersible pump in the cooler recirculating the glycol? What kind of temp control are you using and where do you put the probe?

Yes, there will be a pump in the cooler that is turned on by an Inkbird Heating and cooling controller that will have the probe in the thermowell of the fermenter.  The glycol (ac unit) will be controlled by and old Love TS controller.  The probe for that will be in an old corny diptube ( end sealed) in the glycol.  

 

Here is the pump.  From what I could find online this is the same or very similar to what Penguin Chillers uses.

 

[Genesee Ted]

Those Inkbird controllers work well. I know a guy who uses them for a line of commercial glycol systems that he manufactures

[matt6150]

Cool, that's basically what I was envisioning. I look forward to hear how it works out.

[HVB]

Those Inkbird controllers work well. I know a guy who uses them for a line of commercial glycol systems that he manufactures

I remember finding Ranco or Johnson controllers on eBay for $50 and being thrilled.  Now you can get one that does heating and cooling for as low as 25 bucks at times and like you said they work well.  

[MyaCullen]

I remember finding Ranco or Johnson controllers on eBay for $50 and being thrilled.  Now you can get one that does heating and cooling for as low as 25 bucks at times and like you said they work well.  

What kind of glycol do people use in these? something akin to the non toxic automotive anti-freeze?

[3rd party JKor]

Maybe I'll give this a go if it works out well for you.  I think I already have all the parts I would need.  i bought one of those solar recirc pumps a few years ago for a mini HERMS system.  I think it's still kicking around.  I even have that same old Xtreme cooler. 

[matt6150]

I have that same cooler as well. I use it to rest pork butts. I think it fits 8 or maybe 10, can't remember.

[HVB]

What kind of glycol do people use in these? something akin to the non toxic automotive anti-freeze?

Propylene Glycol mixed with distilled water. 25% volume of glycol is said to give the best performance. Too much and pumping is hard and too little and you will freeze up.

I have that same cooler as well. I use it to rest pork butts. I think it fits 8 or maybe 10, can't remember.

LOL, I have a different cooler I use for bbq. This one really never got much use so it was perfect.

[HVB]

Parts from Spike cooling coil and jacket, arrived yesterday.  3g of glycol and some quick disconnects fittings are ordered and shipped.  Looks like I should get this thing all done this weekend.  

[positiveContact]

noice

[HVB]

Sitting at 30* right now.  So far so good.  She may not be pretty but it cost me about $125 and that is a lot less than the cheapest commercial unit.  Hope to get a batch brewed this weekend to give it a full workout.

 

[matt6150]

Looks awesome! Any insulation on the lines going to the fermenter? Any fancy hook-ups to the fermenter?

[HVB]

Looks awesome! Any insulation on the lines going to the fermenter? Any fancy hook-ups to the fermenter?

Thanks!

 

I have some regular 1/2 pipe insulation that I plan to use on them.  I got this disconnect that so that I can split the system and clean the coil.  You can see the sweaty line on the right.  Right now I just have it looping back in pumping to check to make sure it all works.  I have to insulate a couple of the lines in the box as well.  They are a bit sweaty.