1/2" thread in-line thermometer?

[Cpt_Kirks]

I need a thermometer for the output of my dudadiesel plate chiller. I have 1/2" QD connectors on the wort side, and want a thermometer to go between the chiller and the QD on the output side.

Does anybody sell a ready made solution for that, or am I going to have to part it out?

I like the LCD in-line thermometer, but it seems a little fragile and heat sensitive. Plus, I want it to connect to my plate chiller.

 

[passedpawn]

I made this Inline Thermometer for my Plate Chiller. I honestly haven't looked at it in a while, but I think it still works fine. Would be nice to have a wider range on the temps than what I used.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I want to use a dial thermometer. Probably go with a T connector, like the sight gauges use.

Pieced out, it will run about $50 from bargain fittings.

 

[passedpawn]

Good call. Mine sucks, really. Can't see it well in outdoor lighting, which is where I brew. I'll probably follow your lead... maybe you can keep this thread updated (or make a new one).

If you buy a new one, write a review! Thanks.

 

[Irrenarzt]

MoreBeer has one of these dealios if I recall correctly.

 

[BendBrewer]

http://morebeer.com/view_product/11..._Thermometer_with_Stainless_Quick_Disconnects

 

[passedpawn]

http://morebeer.com/view_product/11..._Thermometer_with_Stainless_Quick_Disconnects

must... have...

 

[Bigscience]

http://morebeer.com/view_product/11..._Thermometer_with_Stainless_Quick_Disconnects

I'm not understanding the need for the cross over a tee. I made mine with a tee and the wort coming out the side. The need for the plug is just making more dead space in there.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I'm not understanding the need for the cross over a tee. I made mine with a tee and the wort coming out the side. The need for the plug is just making more dead space in there.

Yeah, I agree, that's the design I'm thinking of.

I can build one for about $50, and I use camlocks, so that one would not work without adapters.

 

[FSR402]

I have two different ones on my rig. On the CFC I have a dial therm with a 1/4 prob. I took a "T" fitting and using a compression fitting on the therm side holds it in place. The beer flows straight thru across the therm tip.
On my flash boiler I did the same thing only I used a remote prob and a digital oven therm. Works great, I don't have to bend down to see it, the readout is at chest level.

 

[ikonis]

On the output of my dudadiesel plate chiller I just put a 1/2" Tee with a 1/2" threaded dial thermometer on the end of it. Then a pipe nipple out of the side. From there I have it tee'd for whirlpooling and also output to fermenter.

I'm at work, but I shall post pics when I get home.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

OK, I just double checked the parts needed on bargain fittings, and it won't cost $50.

It will cost $39, shipped.

That is the thermometer, a 1/2" T and a 1/2" nipple.

 

[passedpawn]

OK, I just double checked the parts needed on bargain fittings, and it won't cost $50.

It will cost $39, shipped.

That is the thermometer, a 1/2" T and a 1/2" nipple.

Which thermometer are you going with?

 

[Bigscience]

Mine would cost more than that but I also used this thermometer for $45:

http://www.minibrew.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=13

I also mounted mine to the exit of the CFC with no QDs. I have a few dial thermometers so the need to move one around really isn't that appealing.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Which thermometer are you going with?

The 2.5in probe model bargain fittings carries.

 

[ikonis]

As promised, here's the pic of my dudadiesel chiller setup.

 

[passedpawn]

my eyes, MY EYES! Ooooouuuuuuwwwwwwwwwwrrrrrrrrgggggghhh!

• Way too much SS. Freaks me out. w/envy
• What's that SS braid running down the left leg of the wood stand?
• Those tiny casters don't fit. Need bling there. Aren't there some giant SS casters available?
• The Blichmann articulating thermometer might be a better fit since it's down low.
• What are those odd rings in the middle of your plate chiller?
• What's the coil of SS tubing for? Is it part of a HERMs that you don't normal use? Part of a pre-chiller?
• Way too much SS. MY EYES!

 

[ikonis]

my eyes, MY EYES! Ooooouuuuuuwwwwwwwwwwrrrrrrrrgggggghhh!

• Way too much SS. Freaks me out. w/envy
• What's that SS braid running down the left leg of the wood stand?
• Those tiny casters don't fit. Need bling there. Aren't there some giant SS casters available?
• The Blichmann articulating thermometer might be a better fit since it's down low.
• What are those odd rings in the middle of your plate chiller?
• What's the coil of SS tubing for? Is it part of a HERMs that you don't normal use? Part of a pre-chiller?
• Way too much SS. MY EYES!

• Bling
• That's not braid, it's a SS long slotted spatula
• I'm sure they do, I'll be sure to find them when I rebuild
• Have those all over the rest of the rig... just had that one left
• They were there under the label that I removed, not sure why
• Pre-chiller, was a built in IC at one point
• BLING!

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

As promised, here's the pic of my dudadiesel chiller setup.

Yeah, mine will be like that, but with a camlock on the left leg of the T.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

ikonis,

How much clearance should I leave for the camlock? I don't want it hitting the thermometer when I snap on the female connector.

I'm trying to decide how long of a nipple to order.



My bling-less setup:

 

[ikonis]

In all reality, you don't need a nipple. I just used it to get past my brewstand.

But if you want the extra distance, a 2 inch would put you WAY past the thermometer.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

In all reality, you don't need a nipple. I just used it to get past my brewstand.

But if you want the extra distance, a 2 inch would put you WAY past the thermometer.

Since the T is female, and my camlock threads are female, I either need a nipple or another camlock.

Thanks, I'll probably go with a 1.5 or 2 inch nipple. Or order both, I'm still building and will probably use a spare.

 

[ikonis]

Well, yea... if it's a female camlock, obviously a nipple would be required. But you could just use a close nipple.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I tried out my plate chiller with the dial thermometer, it worked great!

I'll try to remember to post some pics of it.

:rockin:

 

[ConiferAles]

ikonis, first of all, NICE SETUP!

additionally, can we get some more pics of that beast?

And, how many plates are people generally using in their flat plate exchangers?

(sorry for any derailing, but it seems on topic)

 

[ikonis]

I'll snap some hires pics this weekend when I brew my Banana Cream Ale.

 

[ikonis]

Ok... here's my facebook album of my rig. Not going to post all the pics here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=265690&id=736142402&l=4dc3e58a88

 

[jmsullivan73]

Nice setup ikonis. Would you mind sharing a bit more about the plate chiller?

1. How many plates is it
2. How well does it work for you?
3. It looks like you bought the male NPT. Is this right and can you describe the fittings attached, in particular for the garden hose?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Islandboy85]

I am building an inline thermometer for my pump and direct fire mash tun. I'm worried that the thermometer will cut down the flow too much though if I use my Blichmann thermometer because it's a 4 inch probe. That means it will stick into the nipple off of the t-fitting closing it from a 1/2 npt pipe nipple to 1/4 in flow since the thermometer probe is about 1/4 inch. Did anyone else find a problem with this design?

 

[BargainFittings]

The interior of a 1/2" NPT nipple is 5/8" and you won't cut the flow much at all.

 

[Islandboy85]

The interior of a 1/2" NPT is 5/8" and you won't cut the flow much at all.

Oh...I guess pipe dimensions is like lumber dimensions. This is good news because I want to swap my Blichmann thermometer out of my BK for the pump. Ill just put a plane Jane cheap thermometer back into the BK, but love my Blichmann one for mashing.