I broke my brewery

[ryanryates]

So, after installing my new electric valves on the Brewery I ran I quick test run. I had a small leak, took things apart to tighten fittings. When I went to tighten the ball valve another revolution, I managed to snap the pump head in two. Brewery now broken.

So much for tomorrow's 16 brew run of honey blonde ale...

View attachment 1457752808629.jpg

 

[TX_Brewing]

Bummer, i have always feared doing that. When time/money allows I am buying a stainless head for my pump so when it does happen I have a backup.

 

[kh54s10]

Change things up a bit and brew away. I have been brewing 5 years, no pump yet........

 

[ryanryates]

Yeah, started brewing in the 90's. No pump back then. Now, my entire system is automated so without one of the pumps, I'm down for the count. Local HBS has a pump head in stock. Brew session delayed until Sunday...

 

[MFWINZLOW]

Eff that waiting stuff.
Shove some inside diameter appropriate tubing in and let 'er fly...

 

[Brad2287]

If you need a new polysulfone head I can send you one for the price of shipping. I have had an extra laying around for years after upgrading to stainless for this reason.

 

[ryanryates]

If you need a new polysulfone head I can send you one for the price of shipping. I have had an extra laying around for years after upgrading to stainless for this reason.

Sorry missed this earlier. Picked one up at lhbs. Managed to break the other pump head in the process. Not my day.

I'll buy your pump head off of you. PM me your email for PayPal and send the shipping. Ship to 22192. Thanks.

 

[IslandLizard]

Sorry to see that, a really bad day for you! < ugh!>

Don't forget to use lots of teflon tape and be careful not to cross threads. It's so easy to over-tighten those, as the plastic is soft and NOT tapered AFAIK, hence you need the thick teflon packing. You may have bottomed out the threads too, that's pretty deep into that T.

 

[ryanryates]

Yup, agreed. Good news is that I think there are enough threads on the head left. Now off to HD to get and extractor to remove the broken pipe from the T.

 

[IslandLizard]

I wonder if you could thread/tap the inside of the stub left and insert a (1/4") SS nipple. Or, insert a short piece of thin-walled pipe as a reinforcement and JB-weld the broken end and head back together that way.

All in all, the Stainless heads are much more durable and stronger. I'm sure you know the SS Chugger heads fit the March pumps. I've seen them around, even on eBay.

 

[Brad2287]

Should fit in a small flat rate box. It has stainless couplers all ready threaded on it. Once I got them on I was not willing to take off.

 

[chlrsnj]

If you are using a nylon (Plastic Pump inlet/outlets) I would consider putting a short run of hose and a quick disconnect on the end of the short hoses. That will release the wear on the pump head ports themselves. Also use good quality silicone gaskets and plenty of teflon tape. I am still gravity feed and have thought about the possible benefits to going with pumps, but in the end for me gravity works great. I have mine set up in a way that I don't have to lift anything heavy (HLT) or hot (HLT/MASH TUN). I fill the HLT from a hose and use a calibrated gage for my water amount, then just open and close valves as needed from top to bottom.

 

[Gameface]

If you're using teflon tape you do not need to crank down on the fitting. Get it hand tight and then give it another 1/4 to 1/2 turn, so that it's snug enough to stay in place, it's already going to be tight enough to avoid leaks.

 

[ryanryates]

Update: I am now the proud new owner of two pump heads following a series of unfortunate events (RDWHAHB). That said, I was able to brew (late) yesterday afternoon!

The brew session went flawlessly - 16 gallons of Honey Wheat in the conical! Pitched with a yeast blend of WLP029 and WLP001.