This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.
Last updated
How to Use Clawhammer Supply's Electric Brewing and Distilling Controller
The directions for the 240v and the 120v are the same.
This is a basic overview of the CHS Controller. If you are looking for the full manual you can download it here.
You can purchase this controller here.
Adjust Set Point Temperature
- Press the Up arrow button. This will cause the red light to flash indicating the numbers can be changed.
- Use the arrow left button to move the cursor to the number you want to change.
- Use the arrow up or down button to change the value
- Press the set button to apply the new temperature
Manual Mode
- Hold down the A/M button
- An upside down A button will appear in the SV field.
- Press the set button to apply the settings
- To adjust the % of power follow the same steps as changing the set point temperature value.
- Press the Up arrow button. This will cause the red light to flash indicating the numbers can be changed.
- Use the arrow left button to move the cursor to the number that needs changed.
- Use the arrow up or down button to change the value
- Press the set button to apply the new settings
Heat & Pump Buttons
- Heat button: Will turn on/off the heating element
- Pump Button: Will turn on/off the pump
Auto-Tune Process
- Auto-Tune Process:Fill the kettle with the same amount of water used in a typical brew day. A typical 5.5 gallon batch will be filled with 7.5-8 gallon of water.
- Turn the heating element and pump switches on.
- Change the set value to 150
- Once the kettle is at 140 it is time to start the auto-tune process
- Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
- Press the set button once to change the sub menu to the oP option
- Press the A/M button to select the oP option
- Once inside the oP menu it will display PID
- Press the UP button which will display the next option which is At.
- Press the set button to select At (auto-tune option)
- Continue to press the set button to exit the submenu.
- The screen will now flash At -- the auto-tune process will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour or so. The process is finished when the At no longer flashes on the screen of the controller.
Factory Reset Pid Settings
- Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
- Press the set button once to change the sub menu to the oP option
- Press the A/M button to select the oP option
- Once entered into the oP menu it will display PID
- Press the UP button twice which will display r
- Press the set button to select the r( PID reset)
- Continue to press the set button to exit the submenu
Fahrenheit to Celsius
- Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
- Press the set button and scroll though until you see unit
- Press the A/M to select the unit menu
- Press the up button to change from F to C
- Press set to select C
- Press the set button again to exit the settings menu
Alarm Settings
- Hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the settings menu
- Press the set button a few times until the ALP submenu is displayed
- Select the ALP menu by pressing the A/M button
- The first option displayed is node. Change node to 1 (that turns on the audible alarm)
- Press set one to continue to HI AL
- HI AL: If mashing at 150 set the value to 149.9. (Pro tip- if the HI AL is set to 150 it won't alarm until it reaches 150.1)
- Press set to confirm alarm value set
- Press and hold set to exit the settings menu
- One the alarm sounds you can just hit the set button to stop the alarm.
Temperature Offset
- Insert the temperature probe into the thermowell
- Bring the kettle up to mash temp (150F).
- Take the temperature of the water with your trusted thermometer.
- Hold the set button for 3 seconds for main menu
- Select the first option 1P
- Press the A/M button to select the 1P option
- SC 0.0 will display on the screen (zero offset)
- The controller can adjust the offset in either direction-- negative or positive.
- Change the SC to -20 that will adjust the offset 20 deg (if it was reading 130 it will now read 110)
- Change the SC to +20 that will adjust the offset 20 deg (if it was reading 130 it will now read 150)
- Once the offset has been adjusted to match the mash temperature press and hold the set button to save and exit
- The corrected temperature will now be displayed on the PV screen.
| Altitude | Boiling point of water |
| (ft) | (oF) |
| -250 | 212.5 |
| 0 (sea level) | 212 |
| 500 | 211 |
| 1000 | 210.1 |
| 1500 | 209.1 |
| 2000 | 208.1 |
| 2500 | 207.2 |
| 3000 | 206.2 |
| 3500 | 205.3 |
| 4000 | 204.3 |
| 4500 | 203.4 |
| 5000 | 202.4 |
| 5500 | 201.5 |
| 6000 | 200.6 |
| 6500 | 199.6 |
| 7000 | 198.7 |
I ordered a sensor probe and was wondering if it’s a 2 wire RTD pt100 or a NTC? I measured the resistance between the 2 leads and it measured 10k ohms which seems like a NTC. Plus on the package it said NTC.
How do I get my 120v heat controller to switch for alarm mode to heat mode I can’t get my controller to go into the heat mode
Can the 240v controller maintain 2 X 3000 watt elements instead 5000 and a pump and if not do
you have this option?
Thank you
Can the 240v controller controller maintain 2 X 3000 watt elements instead 5000 and a pump and if not do
you have this option?
Thank you
I’m looking at the 5 gallon copper still. I would like it to be electric. I did not see anything in a video. Do you sell it a a whole complete kit ?? Thankyou
Hi – I have the 220v controller and I am looking for a wiring diagram for the kit. My electrician wants one to ensure he has proper power and room at the panel. Please advise – J
Hi :)
I have been struggling to find All the measurement for the grain basket as well as the kettle, I am referring to the 20 gallon system.
Would you be so kind to enlighten me.
B est Regards Allan
What is the maximum grain capacity of your 20 gallon kettle? Thanks! Cheers!, Prost!, Slainte!
Hello,
About to buy the 10 gallon home brew system but i am confused how the chiller plate works and how to set it up with the water house. in one end I install the water house in and turn it on and the other water house connector I install another hose with a lose end?
Do you have any videos on that so i can see clearly how that works?
Thank you
will this PDI controller work with the T-500 broiler? Will it maintain and hold set temp measured at the head?
Hi I was wondering if you have a catalogue with prices And maybe a book for sale with sa recipes OK thanks a lot
Does the heating element have a feral or anything that comes with the copper kit for installation?
How long does it take to bring temp up to mash temp of 160 with the 220volt unit and the up to boiling. Can only find info times for 120 volt unit. Thanks
Is there any way to exchange the 1 1/2 diameter heating element unit with clamp for a 2 “dia unit with clamp. Never used
Thanks,
Jay Eller
I need a new grain basket. In the past, you have sold your grain baskets for about $150. I can not find them among your products. Do you still sell them? Gary
I have a 5 gallon coper still and I am installing the heating element. What is the distance from the bottom of the still to the center of the whole for the heating unit?
Anyone else have the high alarm value set to 9999 and the low -1999 from the factory?
I am wondering if we can use this to brew fruit Syrups
Santa brought me a chs 120v to make my distilling easier. very worried about how to use it. I have a digital thermometer on top of copper column. i wanted this to tell me what is going on inside kettle and slowly adjust temp. to 172-178 in column. Once I get this dialed in then i can play with auto mode…. Please help me.
……………………………Thanks Alan
So does the controller turn off and on the element when you set it at a temperature?