Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hey guys not sure where to post this

I am getting to the point of looking at buying jacketed uni-tanks, most likely starting with a Brewtools F80 at this stage for use at home. With plans to expand later on (probably a look at a couple of F40's for smaller batches)

I have also been helping a friend go commercial from a beer perspective (he is starting off contract brewing) however we may looking at setting something small scale up long term.

Thinking if I get a Glycol cooling unit I want something that has more capacity then what I currently need, also would be keen to use it to help cool my 4" Dash ( upto a super reflux condenser and 4800w) most likely by using a heat exchange (plate cooler?) to chill the cooling water. Probably setup a tank etc, still thinking this through. Would probably use it to also chill my cooling water for wort chilling as well

Currently using Mains water atm, but have plans to get an IBC and pump setup

To summarize, what are peoples suggestions on a cooling solution that can do the below
[list=]Maintain multiple uni-tank fermentation temp control lets say upto 500L
Help manage Still cooling for a 4" Dash with a Super RC and 4800W
Help reduce cooling water temp for wort cooling for lager temp [/list]

Ok so as no one has any thoughts/Ideas I thought I would give making one ago as I had a window A/C unit out in my back shed that came with the house when I brought it

No plans to use it for anything else so thought I may as well

Its rated ok 1055w input for 10500btu/h output which would be the equivalent of a 1hp Glycol chiller (depending on brand) from my research but I could be wrong


Its bloody loud however so hoping once everything is running it doesn't switch on to often. I may also investigate reducing the fan speed so its quieter but that will be long term


Didn't take any pics of it before I modified it but effectively I have removed the front fan, bypassed the mechanical thermoswitch so it always cools, gotten it ready for an STC1000 to be installed (will put the probe in the cooling tank, and set a 5min compressor delay with a 1c temp range)


Ill hard wire the re-circulation pump to before the STC so that its always on, will probably hot glue the temp probe in the middle of the coolant tank

Modified the cover (probably shouldn't have bothered) but I had already drilled out some rivets as I didn't realize it just slid off


Fired it up and it seems to chill still so clearly did something right

Still need to get

Build or buy a trolley/stand/table for it to go on
Esky/Chilly Bin to use as a coolant tank
Submersible pump to recirculate the Glycol in the coolant tank
Submersible pump to cool the plate chiller to cool the water for my wort plate chiller/RC/SC
Submersible pump to cool a unitank/fermenter
Glycol
Second plate chiller

Also in the process of getting an IBC

Between the thermal mass of 1000L of water and this homemade Glycol chiller I am hoping to maintain 20C coolant temp for the Still and as as cold as possible for wort chilling to both reduce cooling time and also get down to lager temps.

Can always add a car radiator/fan to the loop if needed as well

Aiming to reduce water wastage and also keep to a minimum of power used

Google aquarium water chillers, there is one suitable for up to 2000 litres.

Dude wrote:Google aquarium water chillers, there is one suitable for up to 2000 litres.

Great tip, just waiting to work out how much head ill need the pump to manage and how much flow I need

Glycol chiller progress

Test fitting

Not super pretty but mainly made from recycled materials and on the cheap

Modified Esky, had to slot the top for the pipes, I haven't sealed them at this stage as I want it to be able to be pulled apart (may do in future tho)

There is a gap behind the chiller condenser so that liquid can flow behind it, when my pumps arrive ill have one pump that will push liquid through it (still working out the best way to do it)

Should fit a few pumps in ok, its 33L so hoping its big enough

Discovered this Esky has a access port so will use this for lines and cables etc, might slot it or do some bulk heads into it or something. Also got my cup holders going haha, these may get filled at some point

Cut up the original plastic front fan housing so I can put the controller in something more sealed, the controller is also on the other side to what it was from factory. It will get set on low fan cool to start and controlled by the controller when it arrives . Can always go to high cool if I need too but trying to keep noise down when it does fire up, you can also see i've insulated the piping to hopefully reduce any condensation

May build another insulated hood around the chilly bin and also enclose the gap a bit better, will see how it goes first