Tin in the mash?

Not sure if this is the right forum, sorry if it isn't. I am building an MLT using FlyGuy's method with the steel braid. I am concerned about the braid getting crushed, so I want to support the braid internally. I have some 6 gauge tinned copper bus bar that I want to wrap like a spring, is this ok to use? I would assume so, as soldered connections are fine, but I just wanted to check. Thanks in advance!

SeanT said:

Not sure if this is the right forum, sorry if it isn't. I am building an MLT using FlyGuy's method with the steel braid. I am concerned about the braid getting crushed, so I want to support the braid internally. I have some 6 gauge tinned copper bus bar that I want to wrap like a spring, is this ok to use? I would assume so, as soldered connections are fine, but I just wanted to check. Thanks in advance!

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Is it tinned with lead free solder?

you could always strip some spare electrical wire and use the copper inside to make your spring.

SeanT said:

I have some 6 gauge tinned copper bus bar that I want to wrap like a spring, is this ok to use?

Click to expand...

how the hell are you going to wrap bus bar like a spring??? (unless we're not thinking of the same thing)

I like brians idea.

I took a different aproach when I made my setup:



I made a loop of copper tubing and split it lengthwise and then slid the braid over it.



It's very rigid and performs well for me.

camiller said:

Is it tinned with lead free solder?

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Not sure. I know after 2004 the wire is EU compliant, which I am fairly certain means lead free. Not sure when this was manufactured/bought though. No lot number on the spool.

Bjornbrewer said:

how the hell are you going to wrap bus bar like a spring??? (unless we're not thinking of the same thing)

I like brians idea.

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Oops.. its 12 gauge, not 6. So it would work but it wouldn't be pretty. All the "normal" (plastic sheathed) electrical wire I have is high gauge. I do have some 12 gauge magnet wire but am concerned about the exterior coating (poly-imide coated) and how to convince myself that I have removed it.

P-J: I like your approach, but am brewing tomorrow and need to put the finishing touches on my ferm chamber tonight. I may end up going with that method in the long run. Personally, I like to keep as much plastic out of my MLT as possible, even though the container itself is plastic :cross:.

BTW, the two wires I am talking about are both by belden, numbers 8011 and 8073. https://edeskv2.belden.com/Products/#s=8073 8011&r=0 if you want to see for yourself.

SeanT said:

Not sure if this is the right forum, sorry if it isn't. I am building an MLT using FlyGuy's method with the steel braid. I am concerned about the braid getting crushed, so I want to support the braid internally. I have some 6 gauge tinned copper bus bar that I want to wrap like a spring, is this ok to use? I would assume so, as soldered connections are fine, but I just wanted to check. Thanks in advance!

Click to expand...

I was concerned about crushing the braid in my setup as well, so I purchased a long water heater braided hose and stripped that, I used about a foot of it and have had the extra 5 foot sitting in a box, just over a year later, I dinged the braid in one spot, a minute or so of futzing with it while cleaning up fixed it right up. so my spare length of braid is still sitting there waiting for me to need it.

I used stainless wire. If you get the larger diameter washing machine hose braid crushing is not a problem.

Thanks for all your advice. I decided to do nothing and the sparge went well.

SS Spring inside