Controlling temp with Maxi 310

Cazamodo · Post by **Cazamodo** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 9:01 am

I plan to use 50L kegs to ferment in, and cool with a SS coil of 3M inside.

I would also brew the occasional smaller batch of 25L too.

Anyway, just looking for advice on controlling the temp. I originally thought I would connect the Maxi to a STC and have it come on when the fermentation is getting too warm, and connect the SS cooling coil to the python pump. But I've been told, and read that it can take up to a couple of hours to get down to temperature (the Maxi unit itself).

What If I connected the SS coil to the product lines of the maxi, and had a solar pump connected to the STC. Only powering on and pumping when cooling is needed, then having the Maxi on constantly during fermentation and cooling.

Would I have trouble priming these pumps do you think? I would need some kind of external reservoir for the water to be pumped too and from too.
If this is possible, I have 4 product lines so in theory could have separate control for 4 Fv's. Not that I need that many but the option is there.

I don't really want to mess with the innards of the Maxi as I've seen some people do, as it's on indefinite loan.

Does any of that make sense?

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 9:09 am

The coolers don't take 2 hours, it's about 30 mins.

Anyhow, your solution it's the best idea as it will control better. The pump won't need priming but you'll need a tank to dump the return water in. Or if it's a close loop you'll need to bleed the air out.

Cazamodo · Post by **Cazamodo** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 9:49 am

I would like to try and make it a closed loop. So I could leave it unattended, and not have to waste too much water.

The only other thing I was thinking of, how power hungry are these coolers? Am I going to see a sharp spike in electricity usage when its constantly running.

(I know, not as bad as when I have the HLT and BK running but still haha!)

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:10 am

You won't waste water with an open loop, you just have to have a tank as a buffer. So you suck from the tank, push through the coils and dump the warm water back into the tank.

Cazamodo · Post by **Cazamodo** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:14 am

Ahh I see. Yea basically the rough picture in my head is. A tank with a bottom drain feeding the pump. Through the maxi product coil. Through cooling coil in FV, then back into the top of the tank.
I don't mind having a tank, I think I can squeeze it in.

Sorry was being dumb and was thinking closed loop was an open loop.

barneey · Post by **barneey** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:32 am

Just a quick foot note, to anyone reading this, if you can I would recommend you always buy a smaller Maxi 110 (with inbuilt python pump) rather than the larger maxi models. The main reason is the ice bank is smaller, therefore it takes less time to cool down. If you intend to keep the maxi on all the time the aforementioned statement doesn't apply.

This is how I did mine

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=60518&hilit=maxi+radiator

Cazamodo · Post by **Cazamodo** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:34 am

Yea I was hoping for a Maxi 110, but this one was spare at the time.

I may try and get a smaller one in the long run and retire this one for serving beer.
I cant really see any need to have to control more than 2 FVs at the very max.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:48 am

Let us know how you get on.

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