Herms heat coil attachment question

ftlstrings · 11-21-2009, 06:34 PM

I am planning out a HERMS build and I'm wondering how you all have connected your copper coils to/through the keg/vessel wall??

I am planning on using a SS keg to house the coil, so I guess I'm asking what fittings or couplings are commonly used?

Thanks!

Mike.

**RonRock** · 11-21-2009, 07:03 PM

No help from me. But I'm glad you asked. I'll be following.

ftlstrings · 11-22-2009, 03:43 AM

I'm sure it's something simple, but I haven't seen anything that seemed appropriate here in town and I thought rather than ship in a bunch of stuff that might be useful...

Cede · 11-22-2009, 03:48 AM

Depends on what you got on your keg.
If you got 1/2 nipples, you can use a press fit to 1/2 NPT.

See http://www.plumbingsupply.com/compress.html

**Budzu** · 11-22-2009, 02:17 PM

Solder the copper pipe (I use 1/2") to a solder-to-male-thread copper fitting http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Plumbing-Pipe-Fittings-Copper-Pipe-Fittings/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgrZbbht/R-100165238/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053. Put a SS washer http://www.greatbargain.net/order/shop2.html and oring on those threads and put the threads through the kettle wall from the inside. On the outside place another oring, and then a locknut followed by a ball valve then hose fitting or quick connect for the bottom coil outlet, or just a quick connect fitting or hose barb fitting for the top of the coil (inlet). Because gravity will be in effect, no ball valve is needed on the top.

You can still remove the coil by unscrewing the fittings from the outside of the kettle.

There are lots of ways to do this surely though! good luck!

Cheers

**Ohio-Ed** · 11-23-2009, 12:21 AM

I build my herms coil to "hang" in the hlt with valves and connections out the top. I did not drill my hlt. Even though I have a CFC, I have also used my herms coil to cool the wort by sticking it in a bucket of ice water.

Ed

Boerderij_Kabouter · 11-23-2009, 03:03 PM

I use compression fittings, particularly, Swagelok brand compression fittings.

**Bobby_M** · 11-23-2009, 03:52 PM

It also depends on what you're connecting on the outside and whether you want to weld bulkheads in or not.

I'd probably weld full couplings in. Compression fittings go on the inside and male QD's go on the outside.

To make it weldless, I'd put a locknut on the male QD's 1/2" NPT threads with some teflon tape, then an oring, then into the holes in the vessel, then thread on a compression fitting that has female 1/2" NPT threads.

ftlstrings · 11-25-2009, 06:45 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I am off on the right track, an now I know it thanks to you all! I am gonna start out with weldless fittings to see how I like the setup with 3/8" copper for my coil.

~M~

**BrewBeemer** · 11-25-2009, 09:35 PM

If you keep it all at 1/2" your coil will have 33% more surface area vs 3/8" plus flow better with your pump. JMO before you spend your money on the copper tubing.