Hosehead brewery controller

[RayF]

I have been kicking around the idea of building my own Electric Herms system based off of the Kal system. I priced it all out and started to buy a few items such as the elements, element enclosures, and A few plumbing supplies. I got to thinking why not check to see if I can find a controller that has been prebuilt and ready to go(time constraints and I'm lazy). I found a couple of controllers that were pretty pricey. Those were defiantly out of the question. I priced out the parts for what it was going to cost me to build my own control box. Although a lot cheaper than a prebuilt it was still going to cost a decent amount. Then I found the Hosehead brewery control from brewtronix http://brewtronix.com. This little gadget is a raspberry pi based controller. The controller is a very good price based on the features I wanted for my electric brewery. It controls 2 pumps and 2 elements(up to 5500 watts). I will be able to use my iPad or phone to control the Hosehead as well as control it with the raspberry pi. Pretty cool! Thought I would share my build And review the Hosehead for you all.

[Beer-lord]

I'm always amazed at just how much those little R pi's are used in everything. I have a friend who uses one for his complete, home entertainment center and I read recently where pool companies are using custom versions to keep pool pumps going and pools clean. To think how cheap they are is even more amazing.
Of course, it's not the prettiest thing to look at.

[The_Professor]

...Of course, it's not the prettiest thing to look at.

What?
This pic is hosted on the next to last one on the right.

[Beer-lord]

I was speaking about the Brewtronic not being very pretty.

My son paid more for the acrylic case then he did for the Pi.
You have quite a collection of them I see.

[The_Professor]

I was speaking about the Brewtronic not being very pretty...

Ah

...You have quite a collection of them I see.

Yes, but largely upgrade driven.
Two of the Pi B, two of the B+ (adds 2 more usb ports), two of the Pi 2 (adds quad core ARM 7, doubles RAM to 1GB,).

There's a new Pi Zero for $5 with the specs of the earlier Pis minus a lot of the connectivity.

[RickBeer]

We took a Raspberry Pi with a WiFi adapter and made our ten year old sprinkler system controllable fro the internet. We can see it from any device, make changes, etc. Total cost for everything was $103.

Very cool.

And it's secured by a certificate.

[RayF]

I should be receiving the Hosehead in the next couple of days. Now it's time to start getting some more fittings and such to make the thing work. I love building stuff! This will be like a big kid erector set! although it's a bit scary to drill holes in an expensive kettle.

[RayF]

Received the Hosehead today.

[Whamolagan]

Good luck with the build. Pics, lots of pics

[RayF]

This hole stressed me a bit for about a month. I read too much crap on HBT about what to use and what not to use for drilling into kettles. Believe me, it's just drilling a hole like any other hole that is drilled. Most information I read, said that you absolutely had to use a hole punch. I Used a Greenlee step bit I had from the commercial electrical work I did in the past. I saved $80.00 by passing on the hole punch! The Step bit cut through my brew kettle with ease.



The Hot Pod element enclosure from brewhardware.com is a very nice option for installing an element into a kettle.

[MadBrewer]

Looking good Ray, a good sharp bit for drilling Stainless is a must. And patience, and tripple checking measurement and placement. Looks like you nailed it.

[Whamolagan]

Sometimes drilling a hole is drilling a hole. Lookin good ray. Can't wait to see it in action. How much more you got to go?

[RayF]

Sometimes drilling a hole is drilling a hole. Lookin good ray. Can't wait to see it in action. How much more you got to go?

I still have a ways to go at my pace. Wish I had the cash to buy everything at once! That is the boil kettle in the above pictures. It still needs a hole drilled for a whirlpool port that I need to purchase. I already had that Kettle. I need another kettle, herms coil, element and fittings for HLT. I need to install a return to my mash tun. I also need to get a pump.

[Whamolagan]

What size kettle do you need? I have a couple SS ones laying around that are going on the auction block.

[RayF]

I was planning on a 15 gallon to match the one I already have