Stabilizing Top Heavy Conical

[jbarone]

My 8 gallon conical is a little top heavy and prone to tipping if I am not careful. I want to stabilize it and I am thinking about using some TC fittings attached to the legs to expand the base out a couple of inches.

I am thinking about throwing a couple of 1.5" 90 degree (or maybe 45 degree) elbows on each leg to spread the base out a little. Tri-clamps should be able to take this kind of weight, right?

Any thoughts? Other ideas I should consider?

 

[DVilleBrewing]

Was actually considering this fermenter, but figured it HAD to be top heavy with a 12" TC lid. Also was not crazy about the long thermowell on the top, rather than a TC fitting on the side. Could consider welding 3 TC ferrules to a plate , then just clamp to the bottom legs. Of course, this suggestion only good if you weld, or know someone who does

 

[steved53]

I thought about doing exactly the same. I have a couple of 100l fermenters, which have blanked off, screw in tc fittings as height adjustable feet. They seemed quite stable until I attached three swivelling wheels to the feet. Now, when you push the fermenter, they swivel inwards, and upset the centre of gravity.

I decided that using the elbows was an expensive and fussy way of achieving the goal. You will considerably increase the height of the unit, particularly if you add wheels. This may, or may not be a problem. You will need 6 x 90* elbows and 6 x tc clamps - not cheap. I'm looking to fabricate (or get fabricated) some flat plates of stainless steel, of an appropriate length, drilled at either end (bolt one end, wheel the other), which I think will be neater, cheaper and not adversely affect the height.

 

[augiedoggy]

Where is this being used that knocking it over is a concern? honestly all conicals have about the same weight proportions and its not an issue for most. I would put the time and effort into maybe a temp controlled fridge so theres no chance of knocking it over and you add the huge benefit of fermentation temp control.

I have a stout 12.5 gallon conical which is only 14" wide but like 45" tall...Ive never had a scare of tipping it but then again I fill mine in place up on a counter and leave them there. they are temp controller with jackets and a chiller.

even screwing the flanges on the feet to a board would give you what you desire... of course the fridge/freezer and board would not give you a room full of polished stainless if thats what your concerned about with polished TC elbow feet.. I think that would look a bit odd though myself. maybe permanently mount some TC flanges to a base that you could attach and remove this from?

 

[DVilleBrewing]

What's happining with this fermenter is the bulk of the weight is at the highest point, the lid assembly. It uses a 12" tri clamp cover, which is almost 1/2" thick, and weighs about 12 pounds by it self. Add the clamp and and all your other accessories, and you have close to 20 pounds at the very top. That and it is only 12" wide