Adding pumps

[djonesax]

I'm looking to start my journey to a brew stand with some automation but to start with I am looking to "simply" add two pumps to my currently setup. I want to be able to fly sparge and whirlpool using pumps but I was surprised to learn how expensive all the fittings are. I just made a quick inventory of what I need and the two pumps were $200 and the hoses and QD's came to about $300 totaling $500.

For instance, this QD is $17 which seems very expensive to me for what it is.
http://www.morebeer.com/products/female-stainless-steel-quick-disconnect-fpt.html


Is there a cheaper alternative?

Thanks,

David

 

[day_trippr]

Camlocks...

Cheers!

 

[mr_rogers]

Talk to bobby at brew hardware. It's cheaper than 17 per connection

 

[Nagorg]

Yes, I too was surprised at how much all my SS Camlock fittings cost. I spent more on fittings than I did my pump. But once that pain is over, it's money well spent. You will be happy with the end result.

 

[djonesax]

Yes, I too was surprised at how much all my SS Camlock fittings cost. I spent more on fittings than I did my pump. But once that pain is over, it's money well spent. You will be happy with the end result.

Thanks, those Camlock couplings look to be a third of the price.

What size is considered the homebrew standard at this point? Meaning what size are people mostly buying? I was thinking 1/2"

David

 

[wardens355]

Thanks, those Camlock couplings look to be a third of the price.

What size is considered the homebrew standard at this point? Meaning what size are people mostly buying? I was thinking 1/2"

David

You'll need to accommodate whatever size connections are on your pump and kettle. Most are 1/2". Center inlet pumps typically have a 3/4" inlet and 1/2" outlet, so you would need a reducer in that case.

Brewhardware has kits for pumps that you can take a look at to see common fittings:

Brewhardware Pumps

My advice is to sketch out what you want to install with all fittings so you don't forget something.

 

[djonesax]

You'll need to accommodate whatever size connections are on your pump and kettle. Most are 1/2". Center inlet pumps typically have a 3/4" inlet and 1/2" outlet, so you would need a reducer in that case.

Brewhardware has kits for pumps that you can take a look at to see common fittings:

Brewhardware Pumps

My advice is to sketch out what you want to install with all fittings so you don't forget something.

Thanks I have been sketching for weeks

I plan to replace whatever connections I currently have with common sizes. Currently they are a mix because of the way they were purchased but I like consistency and it bugs me :-0

 

[kpr121]

I use aluminum camlocks from proflowdynamics. When i bought them (about 3-4 years ago) they were 1/3 the price of equal SS options. Havent researched thoroughly but seems like lately theres been more supply of SS camlocks and therefore prices have dropped a bit so savings might not be the same nowadays.

Been thinking about slowing transitioning over to SS for bling factor, but honestly I've had no problems with the Aluminums. Bought some extras just in case I had issues with threads warping/gouging but they are all still sitting in the box (or used elsewhere in the brewery).

 

[Nagorg]

@djonesax 1/2" is the typical ID for hoses, fittings etc.

 

[wardens355]

I use aluminum camlocks from proflowdynamics. When i bought them (about 3-4 years ago) they were 1/3 the price of equal SS options. Havent researched thoroughly but seems like lately theres been more supply of SS camlocks and therefore prices have dropped a bit so savings might not be the same nowadays.

Been thinking about slowing transitioning over to SS for bling factor, but honestly I've had no problems with the Aluminums. Bought some extras just in case I had issues with threads warping/gouging but they are all still sitting in the box (or used elsewhere in the brewery).

Looks like aluminum camlocks are still considerably cheaper. I might have to try them out at some point. I have all SS but if I need more in the future I'll grab some aluminum.

 

[ndinh]

I would just spend the money on SS camlocks. I went cheap initially and bought brass quick disconnects. They were OK for about a year but the problem with QD's is that gunk can get trap inside. Alot of guys just go with SS barbs because they tend not to remove their hoses often but I find myself always switching out hoses during my brew day. Everything should run you less than $100 without the pumps.

 

[djonesax]

I would just spend the money on SS camlocks. I went cheap initially and bought brass quick disconnects. They were OK for about a year but the problem with QD's is that gunk can get trap inside. Alot of guys just go with SS barbs because they tend not to remove their hoses often but I find myself always switching out hoses during my brew day. Everything should run you less than $100 without the pumps.

In the immediate future the only hose I would be switching out is hose for whirlpool and draining the boil kettle. I wont be recirculating mash for now since I dont have a herms or rims setup yet. I found this website bargainfittings.com where I can get all the fittings and the hoses for right around 100 bucks like you said. That's a third of the cost I was originally looking at.

 

[day_trippr]

[…]I found this website bargainfittings.com[…]

Yeah you did...

Cheers!

 

[djonesax]

LOL, I just realized that your initial post was actually a link to that website. Thanks !