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Bigscience · 02-11-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadWeezel

So out of curiosity, why are you doing a coil of ss? I mean if your going to weld the tubing in place why not just do vertical tubes with u joints linking them in a chain?

Copper would work and that's what some people use. I have it in my HLT now. I'm using ss for the durability, chemical resistance and cool factor. I think the ss makes it look a little more professional and I wouldn't really want to weld the copper to the ss keg anyway.

I'm using a coil in and out the sides for drainability and to not make a bubble trap. If you believe in HSA or not, why not try to avoid it. As for the linked up sticks with street elbows, it would trap more liquid and I believe somebody here tried it for a chiller in PVC and reported back it didn't work well at all.

MadWeezel · 02-11-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigscience

Copper would work and that's what some people use. I have it in my HLT now. I'm using ss for the durability, chemical resistance and cool factor. I think the ss makes it look a little more professional and I wouldn't really want to weld the copper to the ss keg anyway.

I'm using a coil in and out the sides for drainability and to not make a bubble trap. If you believe in HSA or not, why not try to avoid it. As for the linked up sticks with street elbows, it would trap more liquid and I believe somebody here tried it for a chiller in PVC and reported back it didn't work well at all.

I dont think you can weld SS to copper anyways. You could always go with a shell and tube design too.

Bigscience · 02-24-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diatonic

Yep, that half coupling will work just fine. I bought one last week for my new HLT. I am considering replacing the black rubber seal that came with the element with a high-temp silicone o-ring though.

Did you ever end up replacing the black rubber seal that came with the element with a high-temp silicone o-ring? I'm looking to do the same thing but the ones I've seen are round and usually intended for the weldless locknuts. Let me know if you find one that works.

As for an update, I received all my components and now all I need to do is get together with the machine shop to start the build.

GreenMonti · 02-25-2010, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadWeezel

I dont think you can weld SS to copper anyways. You could always go with a shell and tube design too.

Yes you can weld SS to Copper. You want to use the SS filler for the job.

**diatonic** · 02-25-2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigscience

Did you ever end up replacing the black rubber seal that came with the element with a high-temp silicone o-ring? I'm looking to do the same thing but the ones I've seen are round and usually intended for the weldless locknuts. Let me know if you find one that works.

As for an update, I received all my components and now all I need to do is get together with the machine shop to start the build.

I'm placing an order with McMaster in the next couple of days for a bunch of little stuff I need to finish off my build. I'll let you know if I succeed

.

**BrewBeemer** · 02-25-2010, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonti

Yes you can weld SS to Copper. You want to use the SS filler for the job.

I asked that question over 3 years ago on the miller welds forum and a NASA looking photo was posted with copper tube with a copper end cap.

Check this below Miller thread of a person looking for a Tig welder, check "egbob" reply number 5 with his 3 photos you'll understand his work as well why I like this Miller forum.

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?t=20819

Bigscience · 06-24-2010, 02:43 PM

After many weeks of anticipation, I got the completed heat exchanger back from the welder. I think it is one of the coolest things I’ve seen.

Some things that ended up different than my design are: Coil Diameter is smaller and therefore takes up more height in the chamber and make a taller chamber necessary, RTD port is on the side to not be too close to the element.

I hope to do some leak and maybe some ramp testing on it this weekend. I probably won’t brew with it until I can get the set points and RTD positioning figured out though.

For all non-believers that said it couldn’t be built, here are some shiny picts.

Here you can see the tip of the RDT sticking out:

Here is the lid:

Element:

RTD Port:

Lower coil enry point:

So my question now is, do I configure the out flow vertical like this:

Or horizontal like this:

I think I need a way to ensure all air is purged and there is no bubble trap while still being able to completely drain the line for storage.

**BrewBeemer** · 06-24-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadWeezel

I dont think you can weld SS to copper anyways.

Yes you can.

KVP · 06-24-2010, 08:51 PM

Way to go Bigscience,
So I'm in the process of doing a similar HEX.
Where you able to get the 1/2 inch stainless in a coil or did you go with 3/8?
I've been looking for a 1/2 inch stainless chiller but have not found one yet.

Thanks, Kevin

Bigscience · 06-24-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KVP

Way to go Bigscience,
So I'm in the process of doing a similar HEX.
Where you able to get the 1/2 inch stainless in a coil or did you go with 3/8?
I've been looking for a 1/2 inch stainless chiller but have not found one yet.

Thanks, Kevin

That's 1/2 in there. I got it from here as a big coil not a chiller:

http://www.nybrewsupply.com/products/tubing-steel.php