New Noob question!
What in the hell do I need to do to go from a hose to a 3/8 copper tube? I had spray everywhere (I contained it, so it did not get in the wort) and could not even turn up the water high/fast enough to get the heat rejection I was hoping for, so it's kind of back to the drawing board. Is there a 3/8" copper compression to female hose compression fitting (I ask lazily prior to heading to HD)?
I used the hose clamps and bent the **** out of the copper trying to tighten it down. :-(
Of course. First, a word of warning on drips. If your IC doesn't extend outside of the pot/kettle, I wouldn't try this. There is risk of contamination unless these connections occur outside of the pot/kettle.
Next, refrigeration tubing specs use outer dimension while other copper pluming uses inner diameter so the sizing can be a bit confusing. But what this means is you have to go one size down for all of your fittings.
3/8" od copper tube --> 1/4" nominal fittings
1/2" od copper tube --> 3/8" nominal fittings
So to go from your 3/8" od tube, you need:
(2) 1/4 x 1/2 mip ( to connect the copper tubing to the garden hose fittings. Put adapter and garden hose fitting together before soldering.) ICS-104R-CF
https://coppertubingsales.com/storefront/product_info.php?cPath=27_101&products_id=509
(1) 1/2 fpt x 3/4 mgh ( garden hose fitting) ICS-AHN130FK
https://coppertubingsales.com/storefront/product_info.php?cPath=22_38_77&products_id=364
(1) 1/2 fpt x 3/4 fghs ( swivel female garden hose)ICS-ASWHN129FK
https://coppertubingsales.com/storefront/product_info.php?cPath=22_38_84&products_id=392
Additionally, you will need a torch, lead-free plumbing solder (minimal amount required), some plumbing flux, and teflon tape. The first item screws into the hose fittings and then solder to the .
Order online if you want to same some money. They charge a serious premium for these little copper bits if you go the Home Depot or local hardware store. The guy at Copper Tubing Sales was helpful and their prices are really good. They also have other small useful items like stainless hose clamps for cheap.
Basic solder procedure is:
1. Rough up the surfaces of both sides (outside of tubes and inside of fittings) with sandpaper or metal brush. Just enough to remove surface layer.
2. Apply flux to both sides.
3. Apply heat, focusing on the thicker fitting but heating the tube as well.
4. When it starts smoking, remove the torch and touch a little solder to the joint. It only takes a little and it should wick all the way around.