50BM Unit nearly finished

[barneey]

Nearly finished the 50l BM clone....

[Dave-Leeds]

Looking good.how long have you been doing this?

[barneey]

Everything has really been built since last September TBH, I have been waiting on the Lael control panel to arrive, then it will be a simple matter to install the panel + add a little ventilation and Job done. The actual build part tho was only a few weekends, cutting holes + screens etc & getting the plumbing right for the pump.

History behind this project, I have owned a 20BM have built the 20 BM clone, couldn't afford to buy a 50BM so thought I would build my own, the Lael control panel is a definite step up from the "old" BM control panel but they do have the sexy new one now.

My BM pot has a 100l volume so although the Malt Tube is the same I should beable to get a bit more capacity, or just use the smaller tube for a lesser quantity.

[Dave-Leeds]

Wow thats pretty cool. Wish i had the know how to be able to do all this. Would certainly save a few quid

[barneey]

The build itself is nothing new in terms of procedure, as I'm sure you have noticed all the "standard" build items are in there from deck fittings to elements to cutting holes.

The malt tubes are original BM items but the screens are made on much the same way as a false bottom.

The circular element is one of those bendy one but again MrLard has sent me a circular stainless element to use on a build.

The control panel as mentioned will be via Lael from down under.

Cheers

[BrewerBen]

Hi this looks really good. I've have wondered what it would take to build one as looking over my BM looks quite a simple device really (maybe deceptively), which IMO is what makes it so good.
The brewpi post I saw a little while ago looked interesting and I wondered if that could be used as a BM controller.
The other random thought would be to arrange the pipe work to fit another valve in then use the pump to transfer the wort to the fermenter/plate chiller/hop rocket etc (I've no idea how this would work though).
Unfortunately this is just ramblings as I don't have the skills to do it, and a bonus at work made the purchase almost justifiable so I just closed my eyes and hit the buy button

[barneey]

The thought has crossed my mind regarding the pump and using it as a dual purpose effort for the CFC, I think it will be an on going "improvement" project...

Here is the CFC ready for action.



Or I might use this one.



Or this



This is one of MrL's stainless circular elements

[Wonkydonkey]

Those bendy elements, has anyone used one in a Thermo pot.

Also I'm a bit confused on how the whole thing works (start to finish of a brew), do you have any links so I can read a bit.

Thanks
Wonky.

[barneey]

If you have an 80 ltr thermo pot one of MrL elements would fit nicely.

The bendy ones come in a straight length, just get a former the size you want the element to be, in this case I used a 50lt keg, bend the element around the former and finish the end tails (90 degree bend) with a small pipe bender.

A picture is worth a thousand words

[Wonkydonkey]

Yes, indeed a picture is a 1000 words.

Thanks barneey

In the meantime I found this. Edit add in link"...http://blog.khymos.org/2011/10/26/wonde ... wing-beer/
It has answered some of my questions about the BM.

[themadhippy]

I want one of those stainless cfc's and i want it NOW

[Dave S]

I want one of those stainless cfc's and i want it NOW

I'd have thought them less efficient than copper though

[barneey]

I want one of those stainless cfc's and i want it NOW

I'd have thought them less efficient than copper though

Yep the copper convoluted CFC is far more efficient than my stainless one.

[BrewerBen]

could i ask what you used as the edging on the filter screens? Ive noticed the odd strand sticking out on mine which keeps catching.

[barneey]

On the perforated stainless steel sheet screen, its just standard beerline split down the middle to form a "u" channel, depending on the gap either 3/8 or 3/16, although you can get line in a variety of other sizes.

On the finer mesh screens (which reminds me I still have to make) they will just be cut edge with scissors.