Scuba's Rig Build 2: Judgment Day

[ScubaSteve]

So, I've been ceaselessly sourcing valves, fittings, etc. I just bought 2 burly hinged false bottoms for the BK and MLT, for $55. These are 16ga 304SS, plasma cut. I already had a nice false bottom, but the tube was 1/4 or 3/8, and I'm looking at keeping my flow at a minimum of 1/2" throughout the whole system.

Here's a link to my source:

http://vi.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemVersionDescV4&view=desc&txnid=394635010019&js=-1&it=14+3%2F4%22+Stainless+Steel+Hinged+False+Bottom++Home+brew+&ds=0&viewitemversiondescv4=&item=290364323800&t=1261869554000&bv=mozilla&ssid=0&caz.html=&category=38172&seller=natural_ice_69

 

[ScubaSteve]

I like the use of the loc-line on the MLT--there are some nice spray type heads for loc-line that would give you a nice spray with out having to make a manifold for sparging.

I've seen the nozzles, but I'm not sure right now if I'll use one. I don't want anything clogging when I recirc. More importantly, the locline is going to be the return for the MLT and it's also going to be my output to the fermenter. All I'll have to do is move it outboard to the fermenter.

I'm incorporating some stuff plumbing-wise that is a little unconventional. As I get more parts, I'll keep posting my progress!

 

[ScubaSteve]

Okay, so a few updates....I've been bidding here and there on Ebay (as much as SWMBO will tolerate) and have been sourcing some good parts. Here's my pump, which is going to be a huge improvement over the March 809/ 809-HS:http://cgi.ebay.com/Little-Giant-3-MD-HC-Magnetically-Driven-Pump-New-N-R_W0QQitemZ110479277660QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b913fe5c

The inlet is a full 1", and is oriented in a better way. Priming will be a snap, the pump will deal with a lot more head pressure, and it is still food grade and rated for temp. Everyone who has a Little Giant loves it. It's my opinion, but I think the March is overrated, and the Little Giant is underrated.

 

[Sawdustguy]

Okay, so a few updates....I've been bidding here and there on Ebay (as much as SWMBO will tolerate) and have been sourcing some good parts. Here's my pump, which is going to be a huge improvement over the March 809/ 809-HS:http://cgi.ebay.com/Little-Giant-3-MD-HC-Magnetically-Driven-Pump-New-N-R_W0QQitemZ110479277660QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b913fe5c

The inlet is a full 1", and is oriented in a better way. Priming will be a snap, the pump will deal with a lot more head pressure, and it is still food grade and rated for temp. Everyone who has a Little Giant loves it. It's my opinion, but I think the March is overrated, and the Little Giant is underrated.

Steve,

I have never owned a Little Giant pump so I am relying on you to answer my question. Why do you suppose that the Little Giant Pump will be much easier to prime than the March 809. I have a March 809 with a similar pump head arrangement except mine has a 3/4" male and the priming seems no different than my pumps with 1/2" inlet and outlet. What does the Little Giant Pump do that the March 809 doesn't do to make it easier to prime? I am asking because I am never above making a change and selling my three 809's.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Well, I guess it has more to do with the orientation of the inlet than the brand of the pump The reason why I'm slamming March is that most all of the March pumps out there have the in/out on opposite sides, and you have to mount the inlet below the output. Spatially, this can be a challenge depending on your rig. It can also be difficult to get the air bubble out of the head. Regarding the 1" inlet, I'm thinking the larger the intake, the more "push" you're going to have going into the pump, which should equal better output. I wasn't really impressed with the flow rate of my March. I know you don't want TOO much horsepower because of stuck mashes, but using a regular 809 I could barely get the wort 5 feet in the air in 1/2" silicon tubing. Often times I'd have to disconnect tubing and run the pump outlet into a bucket just to get a good prime, then reconnect and dump the bucket back into my vessel. What a PITA. I just can't see paying so much for a piece of gear that can be so temperamental. Little Giant pumps are cheaper, have a higher GPM, and are less finicky. Iwaki is a good brand too, though they don't have a pump "marketed" as high temp/corrosion. I'm sure they're fine though, I know the Japanese ones are supposed to be sweeeet. I'm just trying to put this info out there so people can see that there are acceptable, food grade, high temp alternatives. I think it's strange that there's only ONE pump we use in homebrewing, don't you?

 

[Sawdustguy]

Steve,

I have a March pump with the exact orientation as the Little Giant except the inlet is 3/4" male threads. Don't get me wrong, I would love to find a self priming, magnetic head pump that was reasonably priced. They do exist but are terribly high priced. I don't blame you one bit for going to alternative. The one spec I can't find on the LG is the max head. I wonder why?

 

[bendavanza]

Steve, is there anything slowing the flow to your march pump, like QD's that are not full flow, etc? Even a 1/2" OD soft copper dip tube is restricting.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Steve,

I have a March pump with the exact orientation as the Little Giant except the inlet is 3/4" male threads. Don't get me wrong, I would love to find a self priming, magnetic head pump that was reasonably priced. They do exist but are terribly high priced. I don't blame you one bit for going to alternative. The one spec I can't find on the LG is the max head. I wonder why?

I honestly couldn't tell you why. I don't think it's that LG is being subversive. The chart I looked at listed up to 15 feet of head, and the pump delivered 300-400 GPH, which is still more than your basic March. I figured 15 feet was more than most of us deal with...I'd only come close when I pump "up" my CFC and to my BK.

Bendavanza- I used the 1/2" silicon tubing and brass coolant QD's the rest of us use. I imagine that could be part of the problem, as the actual ID is 3/8". Still, I'm not a fan of fooling with priming. When I build my new rig, my water supply will be before the pump. All I'll have to do is turn a valve and high pressure water will flood the system, forcing all the air out of the pump and my RIMS chamber.

 

[diatonic]

My biggest opposition to the Little Giant pumps for pumping through a CFC or for BK whirlpool is that they are only rated to 200F. If you recirculate boiling wort through your CFC you will be exceeding that. Not sure if it matters, and I've read that others use them above 200F. They sure are quiet though.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place saver.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 1

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 2

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 3

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 4

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 5

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 6

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 7

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 8

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 9

 

[ScubaSteve]

Place Saver 10

 

[SAMPLER]

Any updated pics of the set up?

 

[ScubaSteve]

Well, I kinda "evolved". I went to a single vessel system. You can see that build here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/single-vessel-all-electric-ns-nc-brewery-158608