Electric Brewery Control Panel

[HogMountain]

For those of you using small electric systems, what kind of controls are you using? I'll need to control a 5bbl 3-piece brew house (all insulated) and I was all set to buy a particular control panel but I'm wondering if $8.2k + is too much for a panel and that does not include shipping. I've had others tell me that sounded expensive but they didn't provide a better solution. The panel referenced is a basic panel too with not touch screen. It is UL listed and that is going to be important.

[Starcat]

For those of you using small electric systems, what kind of controls are you using? I'll need to control a 5bbl 3-piece brew house (all insulated) and I was all set to buy a particular control panel but I'm wondering if $8.2k + is too much for a panel and that does not include shipping. I've had others tell me that sounded expensive but they didn't provide a better solution. The panel referenced is a basic panel too with not touch screen. It is UL listed and that is going to be important.

The best system you can go with is SCR Control and Ultra Low Watt Density Elements. Your total control system should have the necessary high limit protection that is typical of this type of setup. All of the Electrical system panels need to be located where they can be accessed and serviced easily, and ideally well away from water sprays even if they are wet location panels.
All of the field wiring has to be done with high quality terminations and should not be done by a novice.

[ControlTec]

Hello,
based on how you describe what you have the price does seem high, especially with no PLC or anything. we would need to know all the specifics -number of elements, KW of each, number of pumps you are running and HP of each and most important, what power is available at the brewery to power the panel. we build this kind of stuff all the time and it is all UL. Looking forward to hearing from you. you can use the contact us form on the website.
Dwight Kelly
ControlTec, Inc
www.craftbrewcontrol.com

[WAORGANY]

For those of you using small electric systems, what kind of controls are you using? I'll need to control a 5bbl 3-piece brew house (all insulated) and I was all set to buy a particular control panel but I'm wondering if $8.2k + is too much for a panel and that does not include shipping. I've had others tell me that sounded expensive but they didn't provide a better solution. The panel referenced is a basic panel too with not touch screen. It is UL listed and that is going to be important.

I agree that this sounds very high for what you are wanting to do. I would look around there are some great control panels that are out there that will run your BH and meet your needs for a fraction of that cost that are touch screen etc... good luck

[MartinQ]

Hello,
It's sounds really expensive for a temperature controller system.
However,it depends on what you need include.Such as soleniod valves and sensors.

regards,
Martin

[CraftAutomation]

That sounds very expensive, I recently quotedd a PLC control that included 8 vessel cellar control on one screen for $9k. Manual control with PID including cellar for about $5k....

If you fill out this form in the link below I can get you a quote asap. Our engineers can also answer any other questions about controls you may have.

https://podio.com/webforms/21219675/1468775

[augiedoggy]

The majority of the cost is due to supply and demand of UL listed control panels... if its just a pid based panel realistically its likely less than $1000 in hardware and the rest goes for assembly and ul listing fees.. (and profit).

Unfortunately this niche market scenario does not seem to encourage much in the way of improvements or competitive pricing for the smaller setups. (This is my opinion based on what I could find as far panels and pricing when I looked) I know theres a lot of time that goes into assembly but the cost just seems very excessive for what it is in many cases. Sure their are some great high end automated setups but for a small nano the options seem pricey for the features (To me).