march pump quick disconnect

Tried to search through some forums but couldn't find a direct answer. I am trying to finish up my pump disconnects but can't figure out what quick disconnect to put on the "in" side of the pump since it needs a 1/2" female connector. I have a ball valve on the "out" side so putting a quick disconnect on it was easy. Does anyone know the part number for the female 1/2" connector at McMaster Carr or for the poly high temp quick disconnects or am I just missing something very simple in all this. Thanks for the help...

 

Just use a 1/2" coupling with female ends on both sides between the QD and the pump.

 

Thanks. I figured it would be something easy I was missing. My brain must not have been working late at night.

 

Most of us use male qd's on all the equipment....then have a female on either end of the tubing. Works great....and it's cheaper to buy lots of male qd's vs. female.

 

I had the same thing happen to me when I was looking for parts until it hit me that I overlooked something simple, so it wasn't just you

I just settled on using QDs on the kettle and mash tun, and used Blichmann QuickConnectors on the ends connecting to the pump since I'll never be in a rush to change hoses on the pump itself in my setup. I will need to swap lines on the kettle and mash tun fairly quickly (and metal connectors would be hot at the time) so I used the polysulfone QDs on those.

 

The only reason I put QDs on the pump end of the hoses is so I can disconnect and do an oxyclean soak. The outside of the tubing gets sticky too after a few batches.

 

I wanna see some close ups of some good QDs o a march pump here if possible please. Just for a good reference for the future. Not just equipment porn for me, honest.

 

it's not at the march pump, because I don't need to spend another $40 for QD's when I can just slip the hose on and off the barbs at the pump easily. But at the recirc arm of my whirlpool IC, I did put one, so that I can quickly disconnect it and re-route it to the fermenter once the wort is at pitching temp. This is the polysulfone (CPC) model. Works great in water tests so far, will put it into its first real brew action tomorrow.

 

Ah!! Thanks evan!(!) just as I suspected, everyone is gonna have a different looking thingy. So I guess I just gotta look and see what is in my local area.

 

I use the male and female brass Quick Disconnects from McMaster. I've selected the 90deg female QD as this helps reduce any kinking. Here are the part numbers:

6739K68: http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=6739K68
6739K59: http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=6739K59

My connection to pump (1/2" ball valve on pump, 1/2" full coupler on input side):

 

True enough. The ones from McMaster are cheap enough that there is no need to skimp, and having them on everything gives you maximum flexibility. I also made a garden hose to female QD adapter, so it's really easy to flush everything out.

 

local area? Mine came from Northern Brewer. There's this great thing, it's a series of tubes called teh intarwebz. using this series of tubes, you can get stuff shipped to you from other places.

 

wow, those ARE cheap. Might have to spend a few more bucks. That's what I love about my system...I can always add to it.

 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the brass qd's, and they really don't get that hot unless you're recircing.

I'm really starting to see the value in the 90 degree style.....I've been fighting with kinks bigtime. The march pump output is in a vertical position, and the silicone tubing flops over quite a bit. I kick myself for not getting them in the first place.....

 

Yeah, I'm gonna go order them now I think. thanks!

 

shyte, seems a little difficult to find a little old 1/2" coupling. I found this:

McMaster-Carr

but it's still like $4 each, which seems expensive, especially when they're much cheaper at lowes.

 

H631 Stainless Steel Coupling, 1/2" NPT $3.50
Stainless Full Coupler - 1/2" | MoreBeer

They are real purty and looked machined instead of cast.

 

I use these things on everything except the kettle and mash tun valves:


They only need to be hand-tightened since they have a silicone O-ring that handles the seal, no Teflon tape needed. The go and off fairly quickly, just not as fast as an actual QD, but the only reason I need to remove hoses on those parts is for cleanup so speed isn't an issue. A pair is $18 at NB.

 

Morebeer will get NONE of my money. Assclowns.

 

The brass QD's from mcmaster are awesome. Have male connectors on my pump and all vessels, and female connections at each end of the hose. Used to just have the hoses permanently attached to the pump with barbs, but it was impossible to get all the leftover cleaning water out.

 

For regular ol' parts like that, I go to Lowe's. Screw HD; they too, are Assclowns. ACE is frickin' awesome, but they are hella expensive.

I qualify that statement by saying that in several different cities in the US I have lived, HD has a limited selection at a generally higher price (than Lowe's), and absent customer service.

Lowe's is consistently cheaper, often gives choices amongst common parts, and the atmosphere is generally relaxed, the staff seem happy, and they are quite helpful. Their plumbing section is actually organized, I can find the sh!t I need, and SWMBO doesn't complain about me spending 2 hours staring at a wall of fittings.

Walmart: Target
Home Depot: Lowe's

 

Just trying to help.....

 

Reviving an old thread, but...

I've been looking for polypropylene fittings for my March pump (forgot to get them when I got the pump from AHS). Can't seem to find them at Lowes.

I notice in this thread that some are using metal fittings. Is that a problem at all? I'm worried metal will chew up the plastic threads on the pumps. I'll just wait for my next AHS order if so, but it'd be nice to find some in the meantime.

 

I prefer the SS couplings, and if you pre-assemble them to another SS male fitting, the possible nastiness of the threads will be much less severe. The ones I put on my pump had perfect threads. I buy SS fittings from these guys. They are cheap, good quality and fast.

2.76

1/2" Threaded NPT Coupling OD Machined 304 SS R=1.54 S=1.08

 

I use tri-clamps:

 

The main thing is to attach a fitting to the pump that will never have to come off. That way the threads on your pump stay nice and pretty plus a QD is faster anyhow.

 

bringing this thread back...
instead of resting the output hose on the mlt, could you not attach the female QD fitting to the male fitting on the mlt?

 

Yep, you could do that and fill from the bottom. Now I've got a keg and the output fits perfectly in the handle hole. Either way makes beer!

 

Hey, look at me!! A rookie, reviving and old thread.

Quick question...do these quick disconnects prohibit flow through their respective hoses when they are disconnected?? I noticed McMaster has that option and was wondering if it may be beneficial. Thoughts??

 

Here is a close up of my pumps with QD's (1/2"). Enjoy!

 

Couldn't the ball valves go straight on to the pump without the coupler and nipples, or would the lever not be operable?

 

It can be set up in many ways. Yes, you could put the valves directly on the pumps. But if you want to tear down and clean or reconfigure you do not want to mess with the pump heads.

The threads on the pumps are not up to having metal fittings put on and off multiple times (IMO). Put a set of couplers on the pumps and leave them alone. The rest of the configuration is fair game. I don't think there is any one "correct" way.

 

That makes a lot of sense. I've read too many 'I broke my pump threads' threads lately.