bendavanza
Well-Known Member
Aluminum would be fine, esp if you boil them first to create an oxide layer. They are softer than stainless though and may wear out faster.
I suspect the concerns for wearing out the arms is based on how snug the fit starts out. I believe the seals are BunaN and they're pretty firm. I swapped one of them out for a silicone oring and the arms engage with much less force.
Of course the big question is if it still seals well and I'll answer that when I get them all installed on my rig. The stock configuration is probably rated at a much higher pressure than we need so getting them to seat with less force which still holding a seal is my priority.
Given my use of silicone tubing, I'm going to be using plain old 1/2" threaded nipples as hose barbs and I might grind the threads off the hose end to slightly reduce the OD a bit. I bought one of the camlock females with the barb and it's obscenely restrictive. I wouldn't recommend them at all.
I didn't notice a massive restriction on the female barb set..... hrm
Do you have a source for those?a 5/8" barb with 1/2" NPT thread would be best.
The ID of the barb is way smaller than it needs to be because if I recall, the largest OD of the barb (the actual barbed part) is 1/2" and the valleys are deeper than they need to be. If your tubing has stretch, as it should since one should use silicone, a 5/8" barb with 1/2" NPT thread would be best.
Do you have a source for those?
So does anybody have a source for those?I think you're right, a 1/2 male pipe thread to 5/8" hose barb threaded into the QD.
You don't have to see a difference in the picture. The real stats as measured on my kitchen counter with a dial caliper.
ID of the camlock built in barb: .32"
ID of the male part of the mcmaster brass QD: .355"
ID of an aftermarket 1/2" hose barb I have: .385"
ID of a 5/8" barb: .47"
ID of a standard 1/2" pipe nipple: .56"
I also measured the OD of the camlock barb at .465" so if you wanted to maintain 1/16" wall thickness, you can't drill it out at all.
I was able to stretch 1/2" ID silicone tubing over 1/2" NPT with a little cursing. It might just work to clamp it onto the threads of the type B fitting.
This isn't to say you won't get enough flow or a flow you're happy with. I just don't want anyone to specifically "upgrade" from the mcmaster brass ones to the camlocks strictly to reduce restriction. You can't get there. I'm especially concerned about people seeing wayne's picture here and thinking, wow, so much better flow!
Yeah, you're right that .03 isn't that much smaller but it's not upgrade as far as flow goes to go down in size no matter what the difference. I can't get a whirlpool in my kettle with a march pump and the brass disconnects.
I'm more thinking of the difference between the camlock stock barb .33 and a 5/8" barb at .47". That's a difference of .14 which is more than 1/8".
So bobby if you had to do it again, would you stick with the mcmaster brass ones you have now or go with the camlocks?
ghart99, The camlocks take getting used to, but won't make you have to wear a glove to change hoses.
If anyone in the Denver area wishes to take a look at the fittings or participate in a brew day using them, drop me a PM when the snow melts
Sorry to hear that your rig will be blingless
If you are still interested in the SS fittings, you should be able to sell your brass for half of what you paid for them. That should help to offset the $$$.
You are welcome to come over and fondle my fittings whenever you wish
Too bad they don't make these hoses in 1/2":
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1ZNG3?Pid=search
*DROOL*
Too bad they don't make these hoses in 1/2":
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1ZNG3?Pid=search
*DROOL*
Too bad they don't make these hoses in 1/2":
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1ZNG3?Pid=search
*DROOL*
Yeah, but... just look at it!
They're really spendy... the first one that came up in google was a 20' x 3" hose that was a cool $1000. Yipes.
If there were a 1/2" version available, I'd assume that it would be cheaper. On top of that, I don't need any 10ft long. I just like the fact that there are no hose clamps to deal with, it's all one unit. Perhaps there's some kind of way to get those type of crimp-on hose connectors.
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