Half Barrel Chronical FTSS system

[wmubronco]

Good deal, hopefully there is no "extra" restriction on the actual measurement and it's truly 19.7" at its minimum opening.

 

[Dcpcooks]

Good deal, hopefully there is no "extra" restriction on the actual measurement and it's truly 19.7" at its minimum opening.

So I got home and took a measurement for you. I think you may have a problem releasing the clamps that hold the lid in place.

The lid is 17" but the clamps spring up when released which will add to the width of the unit. I can't pop off the lid because I've got a beer in the conical but it looks like it's about 20" overall with both the left and right clip opened.

It may mean you can't open the lid to the unit without moving the fermentor. You can slide it left to pop the right one and Vice versa but I'm not sure that will be enough. So you may have to move it slightly from side to side to pop the lid.. I'd consider adding the wheels to the unit so if can move easily from side to side.

I have not checked what the additional height is but I'm pretty sure your ok with the extra height with the fridge your looking for.

Cheers

 

[Dcpcooks]

Good deal, hopefully there is no "extra" restriction on the actual measurement and it's truly 19.7" at its minimum opening.

I thought of another challenge when I got home and looked at it.

The clamps that hold the lid on need to open horizontally on the sides. It looks like you need about 20" to have them both open.

I'd suggest you look at adding the casters so you can slide it side to side to open or close it. You will probably need to wiggle it around a bit to pop off the top.

 

[wmubronco]

I will take your findings into consideration on the next search for a stand-up cooler or freezer. Checked prices on each of those guys when I got home, and the 2-door was up over 800, the 1 door was at 750....

yikes!

 

[Dcpcooks]

Bummer. Keep an eye on craigslist. That's where I found mine

 

[dmenace86]

I know a lot of some of this is old, but if you're having trouble with the ftss systems flat lid, and lack of features, SS Brewtech has a drill bit lot available on their website that allows you to mount the coil to the side of your conical. It's carbide, and made exactly for this application.

 

[akthor]

Not on the 1 bbl. I know not of this lid you speak of. The coils are mounted on the side.

The lack of a 1-1.5" TC fitting on the FTSS is a detractor on all models. On my 10 gallon setup I end up sanitizing the domed lid and gasket and swapping it out when it's time to transfer so I can push with CO2. Definitely not ideal. I may have to consider silver soldering a TC fitting on. Let us know how it works out.

I was also thinking you could potentially attach the end of the CO2 hose to the barb for the blowoff and use that to push instead of the TC fitting. Haven't given that a try yet though.

 

[dmenace86]

Not on the 1 bbl. I know not of this lid you speak of. The coils are mounted on the side.

The lid I'm referring to comes with the heating/cooling ftss package. It's meant to replace the domed lid so that the coil, and other hardware can be mounted directly to the flat lid provided in the kit. I don't know about the 1bbl model, but I know the smaller ones don't come with the coil already mounted inside, unless you get the bme (brew master edition). I'm guessing the ftss wasn't originally available, so they came out with the bit so you can easily install it into your existing chronical. Obviously there are advantages to keeping the dome lid in place. Having the existing TC opening being among them, plus the extra headspace.

 

[dmenace86]

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