[phillamb168]

My AG setup is currently in the basement, and, well, there be spiders. Me no likey spiders, so I was thinking of moving the entire setup outside, where I can blast nooks and crannies with a pressure washer at the slightest sign of web. (Right now I'm forced to get somewhat close to them and use my benzene torch to kill them, but because there are a few on the ceiling every now and then, sometimes I get a present in my hair  )

...anyway. Has anyone tried putting their march pump into an all-weather housing before? I know I'd need to make sure to flush out any remaining liquid after brew day to make sure things don't freeze, but otherwise would it work?

[denny]

Check this out....

http://byo.com/component/resource/article/117-Departments/1968-pumped-up-toolbox-projects

[phillamb168]

Check this out....

http://byo.com/component/resource/article/117-Departments/1968-pumped-up-toolbox-projects

Great! Thanks Denny. I've got a toolbox that's the perfect size for this.

[narcout]

That is really cool, almost makes me want to buy a march pump.

You could probably also pick up a project box at radioshack (or whatever you've got over there in Paris).

[denny]

Check this out....

http://byo.com/component/resource/article/117-Departments/1968-pumped-up-toolbox-projects

Great! Thanks Denny. I've got a toolbox that's the perfect size for this.

That project has been on my to do list for over a year...I tend to procrastinate a bit! 

[brian424]

New to the forum and this caught my attention.  I added a march pump to my setup around early summer last year, I live just outside of Chicago and I do most of my brewing outside in the garage, although this winter I've been doing all my brewing on the stove in the kitchen to avoid the cold.  So my question is, is there anything I need to do/prepare for the next time I brew outside with the pump as its been sitting in the cold garage all winter not being used (the last outdoor brew was the last week of September 2010) Or will the pump run smoothly the next time I start it up?

[davidw]

It should work fine as long as there wasn't any moisture still in the housing which, obviously, would freeze.

[tschmidlin]

Brooms work great for destroying spider webs, with no danger of lighting anything on fire.  It doesn't kill the spiders directly, but if they can't catch food they cant eat, and if they can't eat . . .

I've managed to mostly eradicate them in my garage and brewing space by keeping up with the broom.

[phillamb168]

Brooms work great for destroying spider webs, with no danger of lighting anything on fire.  It doesn't kill the spiders directly, but if they can't catch food they cant eat, and if they can't eat . . .

I've managed to mostly eradicate them in my garage and brewing space by keeping up with the broom.

Yeah, that works for the small ones that build webs. But I've got some down there that are from the devil: completely black with a 2-3 inch span, and they don't build webs. They just like to sit and wait for me in places that are just to the side of wherever I happen to be working.

Thankfully there are no black widows/brown recluses in Europe (to the best of my knowledge... and I would prefer to not be corrected on this matter if I am wrong) but those things are still super freaky.

[tschmidlin]

Freaky spiders.  We allegedly have both black widows and hobo spiders here, but I've never seen any as far as I know.

[euge]

Freaky spiders.  We allegedly have both black widows and hobo spiders here, but I've never seen any as far as I know.

Brown recluse here but bites are rare. Spiders eat weevils. 

[phillamb168]

Freaky spiders.  We allegedly have both black widows and hobo spiders here, but I've never seen any as far as I know.

Brown recluse here but bites are rare. Spiders eat weevils. 

GARDEN spiders I don't mind, they can hang out near my hops and eat bugs to their heart's content.

[tumarkin]

Thankfully there are no black widows/brown recluses in Europe (to the best of my knowledge... and I would prefer to not be corrected on this matter if I am wrong) but those things are still super freaky.
[/quote]

Phil, I think you're safe... a little googling shows the only black widows in France are in Corsica & the Mediterranean coast. No recluse spiders. Unfortunately, we've got both in FL. At one point years ago I bought and restored an old house - built in late 1890's, added on to in couple of stages between then and the late 30's maybe early 40's (and seemingly neglected after that). Working in the attic and especially under the house made me nervous, but no incidents.

[mark97304]

As an additional option for the weather-proofing I used a plastic mailbox and had the in flow and the out flow come in through the sides.  During brew days I just keep the mail box door open.  I also put the flag up to remind me when the pump is on.  Mark

[brewing_in_mke]

Check this out....

http://byo.com/component/resource/article/117-Departments/1968-pumped-up-toolbox-projects

One minor issue...  the switch that was used in that BYO article is in no way shape or form water-proof, weather tight or for use in a damp environment.  The wiring as shown on the article is not rated for a wet environment. If you are going to build this project:
1- use a GFCI cord cap, so you always have it with you.  Something along these lines : http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HUBBELL-WIRING-DEVICEKELLEMS-GFCI-Plug-4HD21?Pid=search

2- Use a waterproof switch (this will not be rated for a pressure washer, there are switches that are rated for that, but the hobbyist is not going to afford it) something line this:  http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202188640/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Just letting some of my 16 years of experience as a commercial/industrial electrical contractor out.