3/8" tubing with chugger pump

[New_Climber]

Do you think I will having issues using 3/8" tubing with a chugger pump. I am looking to setup a HERMS system, and right now my igloo cooler MT outlet is 3/8" so I though to stick with 3/8" on everything.

My concern was the inlet to the pump, will 3/8" cause problems with the primer and make the pump have issues?

 

[trent]

If you only have 1 3/8 fitting, do yourself a long term favor and switch everything to 1/2. You will thank us all later.

 

[New_Climber]

OK, so do you suggest to use reducing fittings?? Also, why....does the 3/8" fittings just don't have the volume of flow needed?

I guess to add to this question, my igloo cooler will not fit a 1/2" nipping though the hole at the bottom, just a 3/8"...so what do people do?? just use 3/8" here and 1/2" everywhere else? Drill the hole bigger??

 

[Chipster27]

I can't say this problem was related to using 3/8 inch line as I use 1/2 lines but when I tried to use a 3/8" chiller for a HERMS set up it seemed that the pump couldn't flow enough liquid which caused the impeller to over heat and the pump would disengage.

It seems that I don't have this problem when the pump is running with 1/2" lines.

 

[Epimetheus]

why....does the 3/8" fittings just don't have the volume of flow needed?

Simple. 3/8 inch ID is half the area of 1/2 inch ID. Same pressure from the pump, half the flow, et voilà!

Your 3/8 diameter fittings and hose will cause more flow resistance throughout the entire system.

Also be aware of restrictions caused by inexpensive valves. Full-flow valves are usually 3/8 and 1/2 true flow ID. Inexpensive valves often have a restricted port: the 3/8" valve has a 1/4" passage and the 1/2" has a 3/8" passage. Check this out on the valves at HD or Lowes. They are brass but have the same geometry as SS.

3/8 inch chiller - I always thought it would be interesting to build a 25 ft double-helix chiller with 3/8 copper tubing. Wind 2x25 ft of 3/8 side by side, and have the inlet and outlet joined to 1/2 inch tubing. The temperature differential at the outlet would be higher so the heat transfer would be faster. It would chill the wort a heck of a lot faster than a single 50 ft x 1/2" chiller.

 

[Dupell13]

+1 on 1/2 ", but it really only matters on the suction side. You don't want to starve the pump or run the pump dry.

 

[New_Climber]

Check this out on the valves at HD or Lowes. They are brass but have the same geometry as SS.

I understand the valve...but what about the brass nipples...are you saying that a 3/8" brass nipple, that goes though the body of the cooler, I can get a 1/2" SS nipple to fit?

This would be on the suction side...so any ideas on a solution, if I still want to use my igloo cooler for a MT? I have seen people with different builds, using pumps and igloo coolers...

What about using the 3/8" at the cooler, and then 1/2" tubing and fitting everywhere else?

 

[New_Climber]

Friendly bump....

Just want to do this right the first time...

 

[rekoob]

Make the hole in your cooler larger and go with the 1/2" all around. As stated earlier, you will thank us all later.

 

[Dupell13]

I should have said this earlier. I bought a chugged pump a year ago and ran into issue with the impeller locking up. I called the company, they told me you can not use less than .5" on the suction side. In addition you need full port valve on the suction side. I would recommend half on the discharge as well. Like stated above you will thanks us later.

 

[New_Climber]

OK thanks guys....I will take the advice and use 1/2" all the way around from the start...

I just was not sure if I needed to do extra work on the igloo cooler to get 1/2" to work...or if some of the kits from say "morebeer" would be a direct fit...

I will just plan on doing some extra work on the cooler either way, and if it fits then just less work...

Thx

 

[dr_finklestein]

Go to Bargain Fittings or Brew Harware for your hardware.

OK thanks guys....I will take the advice and use 1/2" all the way around from the start...

I just was not sure if I needed to do extra work on the igloo cooler to get 1/2" to work...or if some of the kits from say "morebeer" would be a direct fit...

I will just plan on doing some extra work on the cooler either way, and if it fits then just less work...

Thx