 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
|
Has anyone found a good source for SS half couplings to fit wh elements into a keg?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
ratflinger, have you tried McMasters-Carr???? I just checked the site and found them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
|
Yeah, but they aren't NPT they are that conical thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
"ratflinger, did you find a ss coupling?? Or are gonna use a copper fitting??
and are you gonna try to weld (solder) that coupling to your keg. And did you find a copper fitting to fit a heating element?? I know I'm being nosey but i wanna biuld another one for a buddy, thanks in advance."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
|
"I went ahead & got the 2"" ferrels from Brewhaus & the tri-clamp fitting from Hillbilly. I'm in the process of welding the ferrel on. I have a couple of leaks in the welding so I'm going to grind those off & try again. SS is such a bitch.
I don't know how rad is getting that copper fitting to work, the one I have will not accept the element fully. There really is a thread difference."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
"ratflinger, i found that the copper fitting (1 inch) did work with a heating element. Now with that said it would not fit ALL the heating elements that I tried. It would ONLY except the 4500 watt.
I just picked up the element and took it with me to the copper coupling area and tried each one until I found one that would fit ( Lowes). Then I used a 1-1/4 inch bi-metal hole drill to cut the keg. Then I tried something new ( to me at least) I brazed that copper to my keg and I think thats gonna work. Dont know if it will leak until I do a cleaning cookout, but I couldn''t get back up to my buddies place so I thought what the hell, lets try and whalaa...........
Think about trying that brazing thing -- it was pretty easy."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
Again, I did'nt look for npt, or npts or anything like that, you know that thread thing, I just tried the element with the coupling and found the one that worked. I guess I'm kinda ghetto after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
|
"Well my 4500 came from HD, but it is the camco <sp>?!? So I would assume it's the same. Don't know why there would be a difference, but I 'm not disputing you. The element fits the 2"" fitting from Hillbilly just fine, but not the copper - don't know what to say, except that sh!t happens.
I'll grind off the bad weld & try again. In the mean time I'm doing it the tried & true, old & slow method with my 1500w hot plate - works & I just sit on the back porch, drinking wine & reading my Kindle - life could be worse!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
Ok so a little more info on the SS fitting...I ordered 2 of these from Duda Diesel, the thread was NPT (National Pipe Thread) and they DO fit water heating element thread. I had the coupling in my hand and went to Lowes and tried 6 diff sizes of element and everyone fit. I know I said I used a 1 inch copper coupling and I did, but I dropped my boiler and of course it landed right on the element and cracked the weld, and of course I did'nt know that until it was full and in the heatup mode. Then the drips started...arhhhhh. Well I cut that out and had the SS tig welded on. Really pretty now and no leaks. Ok-- so I told you that, so I could tell you this...I wanted a half coupling but no go ( half coup. $9 dollars - whole $11) I ordered the whole and cut them in half --do the math. The right piece for the job is always better than making do with whatever. I did'nt have to cut it but 2 for the price of one, way cool. Anyway hope this helps somebody.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
|
"Again.....
Duda Diesel
1 inch SS coupling
NPT thread
$11 a piece +shipping
I'm sure they can be found somewhere else but this is where I found them.
And they DO fit water heating element thread."
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/9/2012(UTC)
Posts: 10
|
On my latest still. I cut the treads directly into the SS boiler. NPT taps are tapered, so it's easy to make the hole a perfect match to the heater. Be careful and don't go to far. Wrap the heater threads with plumbers tap and install. I used a home made copper washer for the outside and a copper jam-nut, made from a fitting on the inside.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2010(UTC)
Posts: 453
|
So you were able to get a good seal . I was wondering since the boiler is no doubt round? What did you use for the boiler?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/9/2012(UTC)
Posts: 10
|
"The SS boiler is 12"" diameter, 24"" tall and around 1/8"" thick. Looks like a big cornelius keg with wheels and a handle. The copper washer is crescent shaped on one side and flat on the other. The tape and tight fit supply the seal. The jam-nut is for insurance. Its not the best way but I can always modify it in the future. In a previous still, I welded in a SS NPS half coupling and it warped. The tap had a very difficult time cleaning up the treads.
Next time I'll weld in a 1-1/2 NPT fitting and make a copper bushing to adapt down to a 1"" NPS. I'm running a 5500w heating element made out of inconel. With a ssvr-40va home made controller. My previous still is now my thumper."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
