Home Distiller

In the middle of a rebuild on my brewing rig and am looking for ways to save space. Right now I use an external HERMS chamber but want to experiment with RIMS.
Tossed this together this morning. 1.5" pipe with 1/2" inlet and outlet. Soldered in a 1" half coupling for a 4500 watt ULWD element that will run on 110v.
I really like my present setup but it takes up allot of space on my rig, this can be strapped to one of the legs or supports. I'm even looking at hard mounting right to my mash tun.

Interesting idea! I found out about a Willis heater from a different brewing forum:

http://www.willis-renewables.com/immers ... -works.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Looks like your creation uses a similar idea.

I got a clone version on eBay from a seller in Ireland - was something like £30 or £40. Coupled with a solar pump it seems to work ok. I have got the bits to put together a temp controller for it but not gotten around to it yet.

Looks good. But needs a tee on the output for a temp sensor for the pid controller.

JBR wrote:Looks good. But needs a tee on the output for a temp sensor for the pid controller.

The temp sensor is at the input to the mash tun to negate the losses between the RIMS and the mash tun.

bellybuster wrote:

JBR wrote:Looks good. But needs a tee on the output for a temp sensor for the pid controller.

The temp sensor is at the input to the mash tun to negate the losses between the RIMS and the mash tun.

Perfect.
The 4500w on 110 maybe a little under powered depending on your mash size. I use a 110 1500w on a 10 gal mash and it's perfect for maintaining temp but forget about step mash way to slow. I think a 5500w 240v running on 110v gives you 1250w don't quote me on it thou.

Nice piece of kit.

A 240v 4500w on 110v would be more like 1125w. + or -.

I have the option of running on 220 as well, if 110 doesn't cut it
its ULWD so scorching shouldn't be an issue.... I guess I'll find out.
As I said its an experiment, I'm happy with my present system but want something smaller and where's the fun in status quo??

The only thin I see that I would be concerned about. Is the ability to fully drain it. With the in and out on the sides. Draining it fully might be a problem. Not a huge one. And would depend on orientation when mounted.

How did you fit an ULD element in there? The ULD elements are normally the wavy ones?

mine element just folds back on itself, long and skinny. I just found out my half coupling is a bit crooked though so now I have to unsolder and redo it. Ho humm
Already thought about draining and plan on mounting on its side.

bellybuster wrote:mine element just folds back on itself, long and skinny. I just found out my half coupling is a bit crooked though so now I have to unsolder and redo it. Ho humm
Already thought about draining and plan on mounting on its side.

How crooked? Those elements van be bent just a little. If its to close to the side. You might be able to get by with just tweaking the element a bit.

haven't tried that yet, I will. Thanks

Prairiepiss wrote:Nice piece of kit.

A 240v 4500w on 110v would be more like 1125w. + or -.

My 240V 4500W camco pulls exactly 9 amps so maby more 1080 watts? depending on line voltage. Remains to be seen how much or if any insulation i am going to need to hold mash temp

Just like 4500w is a rating given to it. Voltage variances and controller losses. Will always make it a little different. If you divide the 240v rating by 4. You will get the approx rating for 120v. But voltage supplies have allowable differences. Generally its 115v + or - 5 and 230v + or - 10.