Controlling G30 power when using a Steam Condenser

[Doreblade]

Has anyone found a quick way to reduce the element power on a G30 when using the Brewfather app brew controller to run a brew?

The only way I've managed this is to disconnect brewfather, connect using Grainfather app, switch mode to reduce the power, disconnect the Grainfather app, reconnect the brewfather app...

All very fiddly so any better suggestions?

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[nallum]

Plug the GF into a power controller?

[MashBag]

Nah, the voltage drop will also affect the controller. You would need to wire that in to the elements only.

Gotta ask why do you want to turn it down?

[Doreblade]

Nah, the voltage drop will also affect the controller. You would need to wire that in to the elements only.

Gotta ask why do you want to turn it down?

With the condenser lid on the boil is far far too violent - far more than a good rolling boil. Huge chance of boil over.

Experiments with using the Grainfather app alone has shown that I only need around 40% of the power to keep a good rolling boil when using the condenser.

Have been looking at power controls as suggested but cost and not fully understanding the physics of it all (my electrical knowledge is very limited!) makes me think there's a better solution.

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[nallum]

The controller unit itself needs very little power to function. Considerably less than the heating element(s). I use a power controller to balance things with a steam condenser. Totally not a problem at all. Works like a charm. Elements off, it pulls <1 amp. I'm not qualified to offer advice re putting together a power controller, but it's not that much more than wiring a plug, tbh. Avoid cheap off-the-shelf controllers from China. If you buy the components from aliexpress, read the reviews first to gauge reliability. There's a lot of shite out there.

[Doreblade]

The controller unit itself needs very little power to function. Considerably less than the heating element(s). I use a power controller to balance things with a steam condenser. Totally not a problem at all. Works like a charm. Elements off, it pulls <1 amp. I'm not qualified to offer advice re putting together a power controller, but it's not that much more than wiring a plug, tbh. Avoid cheap off-the-shelf controllers from China. If you buy the components from aliexpress, read the reviews first to gauge reliability. There's a lot of shite out there.

Cheers for the info Nallum, sounds promising if I can get my head around the set up.

Can you show a pic of your set up possibly, might just help with my further search/digging around on t'net?

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[MashBag]

If it works that's great. Wiring them in is really simple. Indeed just like a plug.

For the record it is not how much power the controller it needs. These units don't work like turning the tap down. Sometimes they can affect electronics. Elements of the other hand, are just a simple inductive load.

If that is the case buy a plug in one. But be very careful of the quality and never run it at full on with full load. They get very hot very quickly. Which may seam counterintuitive, but again they are not a tap.

[nallum]

'I always get chocolate stains on my pants.' Phil Lynott (1976)

[nallum]

Power controller without anything connected:

IMG_0419.jpeg (1.23 MiB) Viewed 464 times

BM20 controller:

IMG_0420.jpeg (1.21 MiB) Viewed 464 times

BM20 controller + pump:

IMG_0426.jpeg (1.47 MiB) Viewed 464 times

BM20 controller + pump + heating element:

IMG_0421.jpeg (1.24 MiB) Viewed 464 times

I run the system at about 5.0-5.4 amps to balance heat/element output with my steam condenser. We still want a nice simmering boil, so the power isn’t going to be less than the kettle controller demands, which, in my case, is only about 0.03 amps. After about 18 months and at least a dozen brews, I haven’t noticed any problems at all. Works like a charm. Nor have I noticed any significant heat coming from the power controller. I fitted a small fan and drilled vent holes to help dissipate heat, but at the wattages used for typical AIO brewing kettles, it doesn’t seem essential, in my experience. That said, I did initially buy a cheap off-the-shelf power controller, which fried itself on its first run. Hence my advice.