| Author |
Message |
    
Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 06:37 am: | 
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Anyone build thier own sight guage for thier converted keg?
Id like to weld a coupling into my MLT and put on a sight guage. Im just wondering if anyone has actually built the sight guage itself, and if they just used rubber hose, or glass, or copper filled with glass...etc..
Walt
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Tom Sell (170.222.245.223)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 11:25 am: |
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I made a sight guage for my HLT using 2 90 deg compression fittings (cost 2 dollars) and a piece of plastic tubing. Hose clamps hold it in place. Works great, cost next to nothing, and was very easy. The tubing has survived 8 batches so far. I'd post a picture if I new how. |
TexanBrewer (63.174.45.1)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 12:14 pm: |
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I built a couple. They are inexpensive and have worked well. I opted to go the cheap vinyl tubing route (as opposed to borosilicate glass) and I replace the tubing about every third brew.
Here's a link.
http://www.texanbrew.com/article.php?story=20030625140627793
Hope this helps.
--
Scott
http://texanbrew.com |
Jeff McClain (206.207.77.117)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 01:01 pm: |
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I tried a couple different things. Vinyl tubing with compression fittings leaked for me. I just went with 90' elbow into hose barb and used the clear vinyl reinforced tubing. No problems (even though it is only rated to 170'F). Very little movement of liquid happens in the sight glass, so it is normally much cooler than whatever you are boiling/heating. I had already had 1/2" fittings put in my pots (except one). If I had to do it all over again, I'd drop down to using 3/8" ID SS couplers in the kettles and 3/8" elbows.
Regards,
-Jeff |
Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 02:00 pm: |
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cool..;>
I notice some sight tubes are opened at the top and some arent...
Any advantage to either?
Walt
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davidw (209.107.44.126)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 02:10 pm: |
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I went with the borosilicate glass and also made a shield for it from copper pipe. I then put a copper cap on the top of it. It fits snug enough to stay on but can be removed so when I'm cleaning the kettle I can take it off and run water down through it to rinse it out. I can't think of any advantage one way or the other. |
TexanBrewer (63.174.45.1)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 02:11 pm: |
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I would think they all must be open. My copper shrouds are capped; however, the vinyl tube it holds internally is open at the top. The shroud just keeps the tube upright and above the level of the liquid.
If the top of the gauge were not open, air would get trapped in the gauge by the liquid and result in an erroneous reading. |
Jeff McClain (137.201.242.130)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 04:18 pm: |
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Probably doesn't matter either way, Walt. I chose to attach mine back in, just for support (most have to connect it anyway). I can also feed water down through it when cleaning. Either way should be fine.
-Jeff |
Fredrik (213.114.44.237)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 04:34 pm: |
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A Sith gague? That's how you guys force carbonate?
(I can hear Yoda's feet tapping)
/Fredrik |
Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 11:33 pm: |
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im gonna go with TB's thinking here.. that makes sense..;>
I feel a new project coming on..;>
Walt
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Belly Buster Bob (142.177.106.139)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 01:14 am: |
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go big or stay at home I say. How about a sight guage with audible alarm and flashing yellow light. |
Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 10:37 pm: |
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Welp while id didnt add an audible alarm or a flashing yellow light....yet...;>
I did build a sight guage 
Just welded a 1/2 coupling on the MLT, and then with about 10 bucks worth of stuff from the store, i ended up with this
That was easy
Walt
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Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 10:41 pm: |
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Ok.. building it was easier then posting the images.. heh
Walt
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Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 11:25 pm: |
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AHHH just heard a baaaad sound!! PSSsssssssss....
first keg of Rye Ipa is gone!!!
Damn!!
Ok tapping the second...;>
Walt
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TexanBrewer (207.218.213.162)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 01:16 am: |
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Very nice softy indeed, Walt!
Heh. I kill me.
---
Scott
http://texanbrew.com |
Denny Conn (140.211.82.4)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 09:06 pm: |
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Walt, thank God you've got a spare keg of rye! ;) |
Belly Buster Bob (142.177.112.205)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 09:13 pm: |
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what's the jobby on top of the hose?? |
Walt Fischer (24.221.196.114)
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 02:30 pm: |
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Hey BBB..
The jobby on top is another barb to 1/2 fitting, then a 1/2 cap on that. I needed to leave a way for air to enter the top so a vaccuum wouldnt occur, so i drilled 3 small holes into the sides of the cap evenly spaced around the outside
Ohh.. and thanks TB... i think..;>
Walt
Lama Brewery
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Brews and Views Archive 2003