Finally about to start my keg build

[Anavrin]

Hi Guys

Just picked up a shiny new 50lt keg today, my old boiler isn't up to taking the weight of my column, and hasn't been for some time, I'll post as I go on, I'm going to order some 14" 3KW elements with a 1" BSP thread from China Land, not sure if I should keep the 2" connector or have a 4" tri-clamp ferrule for column mounting.

[Anavrin]

Ok, so I couldn't resist sticking the column and keg together to see how it looks!









I'll soon be adding some more sections to the Crystal Dragon so its a good job my guarage is taller than my kitchen

[Almanac]

Looking good That is one high column, you'll need a stool to work alongside that baby

A 14" element is perfect for a standard keg I'm waiting for 3 from China myself - couple of spares

All-in-all looks.ike you've got some fun ahead of you - think can you handle it

AidanMac

[Anavrin]

Hi Aidanmac

How are you going to mount your elements I was thinking of having a 2" tri-clamp ferrule welded to the side, then fitting the element in an SD 2" tri-clamp to 1" female BSP adaptor, I'll make my own element guard.

Or

Find an Essex flange with a 1"BSP thread in the middle, that might be the cheapest option as I won't have to pay anyone for welding.

I have a half inch skin fitting that I will fit in the bottom for a drain.

[Anavrin]

If anyone's after a keg, I got it from Morrow Brothers, Bamber Bridge. Nr Preston

http://www.morrow-brothers.co.uk

I was originally after a reconditioned one £50+vat, but it didn't look too clever, quite a few dents and scratches, they guy said I could have one for £50 cash, (no vat/receipt), so I asked about new ones, £75 cash (no vat/receipt) deal done

[Jaggie]

Plus 100 on the jealousy stage >:D very nice
jag

[Admiral Toad]

Hi Anvirin
Can I recommend that you look at at least a 4" triclamp coupling or better still a 6" as I've done
It's tempting to use the possible existing keg 2" triclamp but believe me the 6" opening makes cleaning a doddle but of course you'll need to find someone who can cut and Tig weld
You can source the weld in ferrules and triclamps in the UK I used Thomas Potter of Cramlington
SDE supply a 6" to4" reducer not cheap but works well
I used weld in ferrules for standard immersion element as well

[Myles]

Actually there isn't a 1" BSP Essex flange. Closest option is a 1.25" BSP Essex with a brass reducing bush to get you to 1" BSP.

So you can evaluate whether the 1.25 Essex will fit (the curve on the keg wall) you need to know the diameters of 2 circles. The first is the hole in the keg which is 58.7 mm, the second is the outer diameter of the compression fitting which is 82.5 mm.

If you don't need to get in the keg for cleaning you can use the existing fitting. If you are going to modify it then invert it and use the keg neck as the drain.

[Almanac]

How are you going to mount your elements I was thinking of having a 2" tri-clamp ferrule welded to the side, then fitting the element in an SD 2" tri-clamp to 1" female BSP adaptor, I'll make my own element guard.
Or
Find an Essex flange with a 1"BSP thread in the middle, that might be the cheapest option as I won't have to pay anyone for welding.

I have a half inch skin fitting that I will fit in the bottom for a drain.

I have a 1.5" BSP, Stainless Steel, female connector, welded low into the wall of the keg so I can just screw my elements in. For the 1" ones I use a reducer - easy-peasy!

With an Essex flange you might have probs with sealing because of the curvature of the keg wall. That's why I opted for welding, no chance of a leak but then I was lucky to find a tame welder.

"...half inch skin fitting" Forgive my ignorance what's that?

AidanMac

[Anavrin]

Skin fittings are used on boats, they provide small drain holes on deck, quite a few home brew guys use them in there brewing setup.

[Almanac]

I've never seen them before Handy kit to have.

AidanMac

[Myles]

Those are standard items "Tank Connector" from suppliers like JTM and BES. The only issue is that only the smaller sizes will fit through the keg neck. They need to be inserted from inside the keg. IIRC 15mm and 22mm fit no problem. Any bigger and you need to go for the Essex flanges because you can fit them from the outside of the keg.

Fitting the smaller sizes is no problem. Just drill the hole and then thread a bit of wire through the keg neck and hole. You just slide the fitting down the wire - real easy. Its how I fitted the drain on my own 100 litre keg.

Regarding the gaskets you have a few options. You must discard the rubber ones but you can cut some copper washers to fit. Put 1 on each side of the keg and tighten well. The edge of the stainless hole cuts into the copper washer for a good seal.

Your other option is to go onto Ebay. Essex flanges have 3 different material options available for their fittings. The one that we want is the cork SX washers because these are safe for fuel use and are fine in the boiler. It just so happens that the smaller sizes also fit the standard tank connectors. You need to jump a size. A 15 mm Essex washer fits a standard 22mm fitting.

[Mash]

Yes indeeeedy. "Tank Connectors"

Also available in brass, Black/grey/white PVC, stainless steel. Useful for mounting airlocks into SS too.

[Anavrin]

Made a little mistake with my heating elements, I was convinced they were coming from China and they were 14" long, I ordered them off of Amazon on Friday and got then delivered today (Sunday), impressive delivery but they're not exactly what I expected.

Here's the Anazon Ad : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00GN6Z ... ref=plSrch

Here's what I got, it does say there 11" on the ad but I could have sworn it said 14"

[Anavrin]

BES do Essex Flanges with a 1" BSP Thread, says they will fit curved or flat surfaces and come with an SX Cork washer, good for upto 120°c

Near the bottom of the page
http://www.bes.co.uk/products/107a.asp