So I'm pretty sure my DigiBoil just died...

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Tim Bulin

Tim Bulin

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Made a batch of Root Beer today for my youngest, while I was running CIP afterwards, the Digiboil died and will not power back up.

Got me thinking, I run three vessels anyway, thinking about a Spike electric kettle or another brand. Looking at a "buy once, cry once" solution.

Any good recomondations? Just need a boil kettle with plenty of power, 15 gallons, whirlpool attatchment and decent temperature control.
 
Bulin's Milker Bucket Brews said:
Made a batch of Root Beer today for my youngest, while I was running CIP afterwards, the Digiboil died and will not power back up.

Got me thinking, I run three vessels anyway, thinking about a Spike electric kettle or another brand. Looking at a "buy once, cry once" solution.

Any good recomondations? Just need a boil kettle with plenty of power, 15 gallons, whirlpool attatchment and decent temperature control.
Click to expand...
My deepest condolences.

Anything that broke can be repaired. If you want to head down that path, let's go.
 
Bulin's Milker Bucket Brews said:
Made a batch of Root Beer today for my youngest, while I was running CIP afterwards, the Digiboil died and will not power back up.

Got me thinking, I run three vessels anyway, thinking about a Spike electric kettle or another brand. Looking at a "buy once, cry once" solution.

Any good recomondations? Just need a boil kettle with plenty of power, 15 gallons, whirlpool attatchment and decent temperature control.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure but one of those brands was bought by anvil brewing or at least copied
 
Donoroto said:
My deepest condolences.

Anything that broke can be repaired. If you want to head down that path, let's go.
Click to expand...
I could probably rip it apart and fix it, there would definately be a cost savings. I figure I can have a 20 gallon Spike up and running for around $500 with the same features I'm using now. Maybe a little more if I swicthed up to a plate chiller while I was at it, a little less if I did a seperate whirlpool vessel(not as crazy as it sounds, there is already a 20 gallon kettle in my system that is just an unisulated HLT with no element, would be pretty easy to make it a dual purpose vessel). I'm capable of setting up a PID to run it.

Also like the idea of a seperate controler, seems safer to me.
 
As far as that goes, I could always fix the DigiBoil and sell it later if I wanted to recoup some of the costs(depending on the cost of repair).
 
I like the look of the Claw Hammer systems, everything is replaceable/upgradable.
 
Bulin's Milker Bucket Brews said:
As far as that goes, I could always fix the DigiBoil and sell it later if I wanted to recoup some of the costs(depending on the cost of repair).
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That's probably the best bet. And there is really no deadline, just 'eventually'.
 
Been a day, while I was kettle shopping online...the washing machine died. Think I'm looking at another DigiBoil. I'll be doing a different lid on this one and switching to a plate chiller, think that will solve the main problem I had with the last one, think my intergated cooler was leaking a bit, probably how I got moisture in the bottom.
 
Bulin's Milker Bucket Brews said:
Been a day, while I was kettle shopping online...the washing machine died. Think I'm looking at another DigiBoil. I'll be doing a different lid on this one and switching to a plate chiller, think that will solve the main problem I had with the last one, think my intergated cooler was leaking a bit, probably how I got moisture in the bottom.
Click to expand...
Hm. It would be great if you could get a real all-in-one: mash, boil, and laundry.

You going to try to figure out what part(s) failed?
 
Well, ordered a new 65l Digiboil, I'll pull all the upgraded fittings off the old one and install them on the new one. Will NOT be reinstalling the 2 1.5" tri-clamp fittings on the top of the kettle just under the rim again. Instead I'll be attaching the steam condenser to the lid and switching to a plate chiller.
 
Bulin's Milker Bucket Brews said:
Well, ordered a new 65l Digiboil, I'll pull all the upgraded fittings off the old one and install them on the new one. Will NOT be reinstalling the 2 1.5" tri-clamp fittings on the top of the kettle just under the rim again. Instead I'll be attaching the steam condenser to the lid and switching to a plate chiller.
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Theres a Silver lining in everything I bet you'll get your moneys worth outta the new one Tim.

I wish you many happy brewdays on the new rig mate!
 
Donoroto said:
You going to try to figure out what part(s) failed?
Click to expand...

My 65l digiboil just died as well. I just missed black friday, so will be tearing mine apart to figure out what is wrong. Anyone have experience troubleshooting these things? Not much too it.. I assume it is the controller, but would be nice to verify before buying parts.
 
UtMarkt said:
My 65l digiboil just died as well. I just missed black friday, so will be tearing mine apart to figure out what is wrong. Anyone have experience troubleshooting these things? Not much too it.. I assume it is the controller, but would be nice to verify before buying parts.
Click to expand...
If you have a dmm, measure the heating coil. Should be a near short.

Other than that plug it in and check voltages, Fuses .
 
UtMarkt said:
My 65l digiboil just died as well. I just missed black friday, so will be tearing mine apart to figure out what is wrong. Anyone have experience troubleshooting these things? Not much too it.. I assume it is the controller, but would be nice to verify before buying parts.
Click to expand...
Do you get an error code?
 
UtMarkt said:
My 65l digiboil just died as well. I just missed black friday, so will be tearing mine apart to figure out what is wrong. Anyone have experience troubleshooting these things? Not much too it.. I assume it is the controller, but would be nice to verify before buying parts.
Click to expand...
We can certainly help.

Open it up and look. Try to figure out what each part is and what it does. Then think about the symptom(s) you experienced and how each if those parts could (or could not) cause the symptom.

Those that possibly can be a cause, test them. We can help figure out reasonable specs. You will need a multimeter, but it need not be expensive. Harbor Freight sells one for $5.

Let’s get started!
 
Thanks. In my case it appeared to be a power issue. I have 2 digiboils and one worked and one didn’t. After opening both up and doing various continuity tests, I couldn’t find an issue.

I then started testing my brew panel. I built this as I didn’t have any 6-30R receptacles at my house and allowed me to power both at the same time. It took me a while, but finally found that my coil contractor intermittently worked/failed one one pole, so the digiboil was only getting 110 instead of 220. I have one on order and will test the digiboil as soon as it is replaced.

Strange coincidence it worked with my hlt digiboil but not the boil digiboil, but will test both again once im comfortable the controller panel is working right.

For those that build panels, where do you buy your panel components? I bought most from Auber instruments but don’t like that the contractor failed after 2 years or so.
 
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