Best way to measure volume on a larger system?

[lthendricks8]

So I'm in the process of designing a nano-sized system (about 1.5 bbl) and have been thinking a little about measuring volume. I'm expecting to size my HLT about 1.3 times the system size (75 or 80 gal, compared to 60 gal for the MT & BK) to have spare water available for various tasks, which puts me in a position of not being able to measure once, close the system, and know how much liquid I have.

At first, I was thinking sight glasses, but I think a system this size is larger than any reasonably priced commercial sight glasses I'm going to be able to find, and I don't fancy building one myself (seems like a PITA).

There's always the tried-and-true "dipstick" and "kettle markings" methods, but I was hoping someone on here might have a better idea, or a supplier for a reasonably priced flowmeter that can handle strike/mashout temperature water and is otherwise food grade safe - no need for anything fancy, I won't be hooking it up to any PIDs. But it would be nice to just hook up some quick disconnects to such a doohicky, measure my strike water/sparge water volumes, and verify it on the back end as I transfer it to the BK.

Has anyone got a line on such a device? Or should I just mark all my kettles/put the notches on my mash puddle and shut up? Or is there a better option out there I'm failing to consider? Cheers!

 

[dyqik]

The only difference that the size of the system makes to the sight glass design is the length of tube required to reach the top of the kettle. Just buy the typical sight glass fittings (which consist of a weldless or coupler type elbows and a compression fitting) and buy your own longer tubes to make them as long as you need. That's assuming that people like Bobby_M can't source the longer tubes for a reasonable price for you.

 

[ajdelange]

...but I was hoping someone on here might have a better idea,...

I'll offer an idea but I'm not sure it is a better one. My mashtun/kettle (55 gal SS drum) sits on a stand equipped with load cells. I don't transfer 30 gal of water. I transfer 8.34*30 pounds of water. Note that temperature volume correction isn't required as a pound of water is a pound at boiling or room temperature (though the volume of one is 4% larger than the other).