The Liquid Level Doctor

Boy are we homebrewers lazy...
Brewing Setup
To the right you see my current brewing setup. After mashing, the grains are sparged into a lauter grant which only comfortably holds about 3 gallons.
Considering about 12 gallons of liquid are collected that means reaching over and turning the pump on and off at least four times.
Assuming one doesn't walk away and have an overflow...
Obviously a little homebrewing of the electronic sort is in order.
NS127-120
After a lengthy search and considerations of a mechanical float switch to turn the pump on and off, I found this liquid level control board from National Controls with some help from Kent Fletcher of the Maltose Falcons.
At $30 it's a little pricey, but with no mechanical parts to clean and its compact size it seemed like a good choice.
Box
The board needs 120 volts ac input and output as well as three sensors for high/low and common.
I mounted the ns127 in this aluminum project box and cut holes for a standard outlet, banana plugs and an IEC receptacle.
A water-proof cover for the outlet would probably be a good idea since this will be mounted under the HLT.
Probe
The common lead simply clips on the conductive vessel at any point to provide a completed microcurrent circuit.
The high and low probes are replacement multi-meter leads pushed through grommets inserted in the pot wall.
When I called Dan at Listermann about the grommets he said, "You're worried about the flavor and color affects of a grommet that small in your wort? You've got better things to do with your life."
He's got a point.
Probes from inside
Here is a view of the high and low probes from inside the pot.
Overview

The complete system.
When the wort touches the high sensor a relay trips and powers the outlet and the therein plugged pump. When the wort level drops below the low sensor the relay shuts off.
Initial tests work perfectly.
Cost Breakdown
PartSupplierCost
LNC-NS127-120 Liquid Level Controller Kim Controls $29.10
8"x 5"x 2.5" Project Box Electronic City $23.51
(2) packs replacement test leads Electronic City $3.82
(3) banana plug jacks Electronic City $1.47
1' IEC Power Cable Electronic City $1.25
IEC Power Receptacle Electronic City $2.00
Grommets Electronic City $1.00
Component Clip Electronic City $0.36
Crimp Connectors, Wire, Soldier Electronic City $1.00
120vac Outlet and Cover Plate Home Depot $1.20
$64.71

Tax and/or shipping & handling not included, but I could have saved $15 on the box by going with plastic so it's probably a wash. My real cost was much lower as I had a bunch of the small stuff lying around. If anyone builds something like this or has an improvement, idea or criticism I'd love to hear about it.
Bluelou6 on 09/06/08 06:48 pm writes
Push,

What is the benefit of the lauter grant? How is it different than a MLT?

Lou
Push Eject on 09/06/08 06:54 pm writes
Hi Lou,

It means I do not have to pump out of my MLT and can allow the sparge to run off as slowly as I want. Then I can pump like a Mo-fo out of the grant to the kettle.
Bluelou6 on 09/06/08 07:41 pm writes
Push,

Cool. I have been thinking about using a pump for my system. This would work great.
Missing Link on 12/02/08 12:53 pm writes
Push,

What is the difference between adjusting the output of the pump during sparge and adjusting the gravity drain into the grant? Either way you have to adjust the flow with a valve right? The only benefit I see is not having the noise of the pump for the full 60 minute sparge.

Let me know if I am missing something.

Linc
Push Eject on 12/02/08 01:00 pm writes
Linc, you're right. You could run the pump throttled back for the entire time. Noise... life expectancy... potential for stuck mash if you aren't careful... I'm grasping at benefits here. :)

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