Ask The Brewmasters

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Make sure the controller is set to Cooling instead of Heating.

------------------------------
David Berg
August Schell Brewing Co
New Ulm MN
(507) 354-5528
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 11:38
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Thanks for the tip! I did verify that the mode was set to cooling and not heating, but prior to your message, I hadn't done that, so it was a possible problem. :D

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 16:49
From: David Berg
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Make sure the controller is set to Cooling instead of Heating.

------------------------------
David Berg
August Schell Brewing Co
New Ulm MN
(507) 354-5528

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 11:38
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

A few things to check.

1. Does the controller indicate that it is telling the solenoid to be open? If so, check that it is set to Cooling, check your threshold temps, check your temp probe type setting, your allowable variation in temperature, etc.
2. If the controller indicates that it is not telling the solenoid to open but you still have flow coming, you should open the solenoid and ensure that there isn't something in the valve seat keeping it stuck open. If you're glycol lines weren't flushed after install and/or you don't have strainers before each solenoid, it's possible you have some plastic/metal or teflon tape in your lines from the install process.

------------------------------
Jay Dolas
New District Brewing Co
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 11:38
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

> If the controller indicates that it is not telling the solenoid to open but you still have flow coming, you should open the solenoid and ensure that there isn't something in the valve seat keeping it stuck open. If you're glycol lines weren't flushed after install and/or you don't have strainers before each solenoid, it's possible you have some plastic/metal or teflon tape in your lines from the install process.

Yep, I bet this is the problem. We didn't flush the lines, unfortunately, because we pressure tested it with air and not water, and, as such, it wasn't flushed prior to putting glycol in. Any chance there's a simple way to disassemble the solenoid and check without having to disconnect the pex lines completely and remove it?

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 11:34
From: Jay Dolas
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

A few things to check.

1. Does the controller indicate that it is telling the solenoid to be open? If so, check that it is set to Cooling, check your threshold temps, check your temp probe type setting, your allowable variation in temperature, etc.
2. If the controller indicates that it is not telling the solenoid to open but you still have flow coming, you should open the solenoid and ensure that there isn't something in the valve seat keeping it stuck open. If you're glycol lines weren't flushed after install and/or you don't have strainers before each solenoid, it's possible you have some plastic/metal or teflon tape in your lines from the install process.

------------------------------
Jay Dolas
New District Brewing Co
Arlington VA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 11:38
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

That depends on the solenoid. On mine, I have four screws holding the solenoid coil and the valve seat onto the valve body with a square flange, and can remove this flange to replace/repair/clean the valve seat. I would look into the service manual for the solenoid valves you have installed.

------------------------------
Jay Dolas
New District Brewing Co
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2022 12:24
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

> If the controller indicates that it is not telling the solenoid to open but you still have flow coming, you should open the solenoid and ensure that there isn't something in the valve seat keeping it stuck open. If you're glycol lines weren't flushed after install and/or you don't have strainers before each solenoid, it's possible you have some plastic/metal or teflon tape in your lines from the install process.

Yep, I bet this is the problem. We didn't flush the lines, unfortunately, because we pressure tested it with air and not water, and, as such, it wasn't flushed prior to putting glycol in. Any chance there's a simple way to disassemble the solenoid and check without having to disconnect the pex lines completely and remove it?

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338

Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 11:34
From: Jay Dolas
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

A few things to check.

1. Does the controller indicate that it is telling the solenoid to be open? If so, check that it is set to Cooling, check your threshold temps, check your temp probe type setting, your allowable variation in temperature, etc.
2. If the controller indicates that it is not telling the solenoid to open but you still have flow coming, you should open the solenoid and ensure that there isn't something in the valve seat keeping it stuck open. If you're glycol lines weren't flushed after install and/or you don't have strainers before each solenoid, it's possible you have some plastic/metal or teflon tape in your lines from the install process.

------------------------------
Jay Dolas
New District Brewing Co
Arlington VA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2022 11:38
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/14/2022 11:38:00 AM
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Hi Kirk:

Do you happen to have a recommendation on a filter basket for the inlet pipe?

Thanks,

Scott

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 19:28
From: Kirk Lombardi
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Scott,

It may be that there's some solids circulating in your glycol system causing the solenoid to not completely close. Cheap fix is to try a sock filter on the return and see if you can capture those pesky particulates. The permanent fix is a filter basket on the supply side.

Good luck

Kirk

"A Biergarten and Chestnut tree in every glass".

Kirk Lombardi

Brewer

Zwei Brewing Co.

4612 S. Mason St. Suite 120

Fort Collins, CO. 80525

Cell: (970) 980-5618

Original Message:
Sent: 6/14/2022 11:38:00 AM
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/16/2022 12:21:00 PM
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: RE: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Kirk:

Do you happen to have a recommendation on a filter basket for the inlet pipe?

Thanks,

Scott

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 19:28
From: Kirk Lombardi
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Scott,

It may be that there's some solids circulating in your glycol system causing the solenoid to not completely close. Cheap fix is to try a sock filter on the return and see if you can capture those pesky particulates. The permanent fix is a filter basket on the supply side.

Good luck

Kirk

"A Biergarten and Chestnut tree in every glass".

Kirk Lombardi

Brewer

Zwei Brewing Co.

4612 S. Mason St. Suite 120

Fort Collins, CO. 80525

Cell: (970) 980-5618

Original Message:
Sent: 6/14/2022 11:38:00 AM
From: Scott Johnson
Subject: TLK38 S Calibration Procedure

Hi Everyone:

We bought a 4 BBL system that came with a control panel. Each of the temperature controllers is connected to a thermal probe for a fermentor/brite tank, as well as a solenoid for that particular fermentor that controls glycol flow from our chiller. Each temperature controller also has a master on/off switch, so the solenoid should be open if: 1. the switch is "ON" and 2. the temperature reading is higher than the set point of the termperature controller. We have a mix of temperature controllers - some are a TLK38 S: https://www.electracool.com/TLK38Manual.pdf and some and some are Love TS2 controllers. The Love ones seem to work fine, and most of the TLK38 ones work ok. However, we have ONE on fermentor 3 that isn't quite working.

What seems to be happening is that regardless of the position of the switch and the temperature of the probe, the controller seems to be allowing glycol through. In other words, the line is cold and has condensation on it regardless of the temperature controller or solenoid. We have ball locks on the inputs to our jacketed fermentors, (not on the outputs, so it's possible glycol can be getting forced through). If I turn off the ball lock, then the glycol is not running through that fermentor, and the problem resolves itself. However, all of the other fermentors seem to be controlled by the temperature controller alone (i.e. I leave the ball locks on all the time), so I'm not sure what's up with this one.

If I turn the switch to "ON", I can hear the solenoid click (and I've verified that it's the correct one), so I don't think it's a solenoid problem. I guess I'm not quite sure how to calibrate the controller. We had electricians install the probes and solenoid electrical components (and the solenoids were brand new), so I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I'm wondering if a) someone has a slightly more concise way to verify the calibration of that model temperature controller (the manual is.... dense) and b) whether there are other troubleshooting steps I should take to determine the problem.

It's possible the problem is with how we've designed our glycol lines, so I'll post a picture of the lines to the fermentor when I get a chance. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

------------------------------
Scott Johnson
Chief Technical Officer
Loons Landing Brewery
Savage MN
(701) 741-9338
------------------------------