Ss Brew Bucket owners ... don’t do this

[Jtvann]

I added a weldless 1.5 TC connection to the center of the lid as shown in the picture below. My thoughts behind doing this are as follows.

I have purchased a 1.5 TC blow off tube from NorCal.

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/1.5-Inch-Tri-Clover-Connection-Blow-Off-Tube.html

Also purchased a pressurized blow off barb from ss brewtech
https://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/accessories/products/1-5-tc-pressurized-transfer-fitting

The idea behind this is I could remove the blow off tube without having to remove the whole lid to dry hop. My thought was is it would introduce less O2 while dry hopping. Dropping the hops through the small hole instead of taking off the whole lid.

As you can see in the picture, the crank arm has no room at all to spin and tighten the TC connections when installed in the depressed center portion of the lid. The weldless TC connection needs to be installed on the flat portion of the lid, I’m seeing at this point, probably opposite of the blow off hole.

I had also planned on installing the 17mm plug into the hole where the current 90 degree elbow blow off is, thus negating that hole altogether. Problem is the plug as sold from ss brew tech is just barely too big to fit into that hole. Weird as it is advertised as for just that purpose.

https://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/17-mm-chiller-coil-hole-plug

I was going to do a pressurized transfer with the other fitting, removing the 1.5 TC blow off tube.

As is now, I’m hoping I’ve squeezed it on tight enough as is to hold pressure. I’ll probably have to drill out the original blow off hole just a little bit more for the plug to fit. Overall, worst case I’ve messed up a lid which isn’t the end of the world. I can drill the original lid that came with the bucket.

Just wanted to post this to possibly inform other who were thinking of doing the same project I have.

Ss brewtech has amazing customer service, and I know they check these forums periodically. If you guys read this, suggestions for what’s up with the 17mm plug would be appreciated.

 

[Jtvann]

This is a shot of the plug sitting over top of the blow off hole that I’m referencing in the above post. It’s just slightly too big and will not fit into the hole even when trying to force it.

 

[MaryB]

If you can remove the TC crank bolt and swap in a regular stainless bolt you could tighten with a screwdriver and long bit...

I added a weldless 1.5 TC connection to the center of the lid as shown in the picture below. My thoughts behind doing this are as follows.

I have purchased a 1.5 TC blow off tube from NorCal.

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/1.5-Inch-Tri-Clover-Connection-Blow-Off-Tube.html

Also purchased a pressurized blow off barb from ss brewtech
https://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/accessories/products/1-5-tc-pressurized-transfer-fitting

The idea behind this is I could remove the blow off tube without having to remove the whole lid to dry hop. My thought was is it would introduce less O2 while dry hopping. Dropping the hops through the small hole instead of taking off the whole lid.

As you can see in the picture, the crank arm has no room at all to spin and tighten the TC connections when installed in the depressed center portion of the lid. The weldless TC connection needs to be installed on the flat portion of the lid, I’m seeing at this point, probably opposite of the blow off hole.

I had also planned on installing the 17mm plug into the hole where the current 90 degree elbow blow off is, thus negating that hole altogether. Problem is the plug as sold from ss brew tech is just barely too big to fit into that hole. Weird as it is advertised as for just that purpose.

https://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/17-mm-chiller-coil-hole-plug

I was going to do a pressurized transfer with the other fitting, removing the 1.5 TC blow off tube.

As is now, I’m hoping I’ve squeezed it on tight enough as is to hold pressure. I’ll probably have to drill out the original blow off hole just a little bit more for the plug to fit. Overall, worst case I’ve messed up a lid which isn’t the end of the world. I can drill the original lid that came with the bucket.

Just wanted to post this to possibly inform other who were thinking of doing the same project I have.

Ss brewtech has amazing customer service, and I know they check these forums periodically. If you guys read this, suggestions for what’s up with the 17mm plug would be appreciated.

 

[Jtvann]

If you can remove the TC crank bolt and swap in a regular stainless bolt you could tighten with a screwdriver and long bit...

Can’t remove the bolt, but can remove the crank and replace with a nut. I’m scowering my shop for the right size as we speak

 

[MaryB]

If metric and small I stock them for electronic repair projects... out of a few more common sizes though.

 

[hafmpty]

I was going to do the same thing. Only I bought the weldless bulkhead from Bobby at brewhardware.com. Before I drilled and punched a hole I did a kind of dry fit and noticed the wing-nut was going to hit the surface. I’ve since seen how SsBrewTech seems to want you to install it. I contacted tech support just to make sure too.

The bulkhead is supposed to be installed next to the center divot close enough that the wing nut spins freely while over the divot. The divot giving more room for the wing-nut.

Sucks you’re in that situation. Hopefully you were able to rig up a solution.

 

[RocketBrewer]

you might also be able to use a clamp like this one.

 

[hafmpty]

you might also be able to use a clamp like this one.

Great idea! Didn’t know there was such a thing.

 

[Jtvann]

Good find. That might actually work