Tri-clamp for floating dip tube?

[sibelman]

I'm imagining a 1.5" tri-clamp fitting with liquid ball lock outside and a skinny tube inside for a FLOTit dip tube. It would go on a lid port of my Flex+ fermenter. A hop dropper would go on another port.

@Bobby_M doesn't seem to have such an item in his impressive selection. Anyone know how to achieve this? Or if it's even a sensible idea?

 

[Bobby_M]

 

[mac_1103]

How about getting a blank cover and drilling a half-inch hole?

 

[sibelman]

Nice, @Bobby_M. Also quite inexpensive. But plastic - okay, but not my fave. Hmmm.

 

[sibelman]

a half-inch hole

Interesting. A bulkhead ball lock post would fit that, but then there's the interior stem...

 

[mac_1103]

then there's the interior stem...

Just a short dip tube to attach the tubing to, right? Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[sibelman]

Just a short dip tube

Oh, right. Silly me. Thank you both for these fine ideas.

 

[mac_1103]

I'm imagining a 1.5" tri-clamp fitting with liquid ball lock outside and a skinny tube inside for a FLOTit dip tube.

Believe it or not...

 

[sibelman]

Dude!

Believe it or not...

 

[mac_1103]

Dude!

I think I'd still be inclined toward the DIY. I'm guessing your quality control might be superior to theirs.

 

[sibelman]

quality control might be superior

Thank you for the (unwarranted) compliment.

However, I like the idea of a gasketless join between the post and disc. Plus, mating a post to a raw 1/2" hole poses a challenge, given my limited tools (and skills ).

So I'm inclined towards the Dernord widget you found for me. Again, thank you!

 

[Skeeter686]

I just recently bought this item, which does have a short dip tube even though it's neither shown nor mentioned:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc2blg.htm

Which makes me wonder if this guy might also have the same stubby dip tube:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc2bll.htm

Might be worth asking @Bobby_M if he could confirm.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

If you can install a 2” triclamp adapter, you can add the ball lock adapter below. This gives you both the gas and liquid posts plus a prv. I use a floating dip in my Chapman fermenter, the gas post for purging my receiving kegs and putting a little pressure on it to start a gravity siphon. It’s great having both posts for closed transfers.

Semfeil Brew Homebrew Beer Ball Lock Adapter Tapping Head for Thead Sanke Kegs - 2 inch Tri-Clamp Commercial Keg Adapter https://a.co/d/0hT9bPMP

 

[sibelman]

Cool widget, @Closet Fermenter . I already have a Spike gas manifold with gas post, gauge, and PRV, so it would be more function than I need. Still worth considering, if only I could use a 2 inch device. Thanks!

 

[Closet Fermenter]

Cool widget, @Closet Fermenter . I already have a Spike gas manifold with gas post, gauge, and PRV, so it would be more function than I need. Still worth considering, if only I could use a 2 inch device. Thanks!

They do make 1.5” to 2” adapters, but sounds like you have it covered.

 

[Broken Crow]

Not to derail, but I haven't been online since saturday afternoon and today I find my posts in this thread have disappeared.
Did I say something wrong or inappropriate?

 

[Chorgey]

Not to derail, but I haven't been online since saturday afternoon and today I find my posts in this thread have disappeared.
Did I say something wrong or inappropriate?

If I’m not mistaken, there were issues with the server and when it was reset, some posts disappeared

 

[sibelman]

issues with the server

I noticed some downtime yesterday. Dang.

 

[Yesfan]

Not to derail, but I haven't been online since saturday afternoon and today I find my posts in this thread have disappeared.
Did I say something wrong or inappropriate?

This is why we can't have nice things BC. Next time, maybe be a bit more compassionate.... (plugs the internet back in....)

On a serious note, I have one of those like the Dernord but don't know if it can be taken apart. I think mine was from Bobby M.

 

[sibelman]

View attachment 852444View attachment 852445

@Bobby_M, I'm considering your TC15BLL rather than your suggested pair of parts because I prefer durable stainless to even the best plastic.

Please confirm whether I'd be able to disassemble the TC15BLL and add the FLOTit 's dip tube between the post and TC disk. I gather from one reviewer's whining complaint that I'll need an o-ring too...?

Lots of talk for a tiny sale - sorry 'bout that

 

[Bobby_M]

Yes, our TC15BLL does have a diptube that sticks out below the TC flange so that a floating diptube can be attached. At one time we were keeping the assembly very simple with just a liquid post threaded on without the diptube (sealing with a standalone oring). Now that we include the diptube, that oring provides the seal like it would on any full keg.

 

[Willy]

If you can install a 2” triclamp adapter, you can add the ball lock adapter below. This gives you both the gas and liquid posts plus a prv. I use a floating dip in my Chapman fermenter, the gas post for purging my receiving kegs and putting a little pressure on it to start a gravity siphon. It’s great having both posts for closed transfers.

Semfeil Brew Homebrew Beer Ball Lock Adapter Tapping Head for Thead Sanke Kegs - 2 inch Tri-Clamp Commercial Keg Adapter https://a.co/d/0hT9bPMP

I used this method - make sure your adapter can handle the 2" recess of the PRV, and ball lock posts. The 2" tri-clamp unit won't fit in every 1 1/2" to 2" adapter - it can hit the interior 1 1/2" wall and won't seat properly. I had to add a short 2" fitting to allow it to seat properly. FYI.

 

[sibelman]

Footnote: my first transfer from fermenter with floating dip tube (and @Bobby_M 's tri-clamp ball lock post) went very well.

The only glitch was at about 75%: the FlotIt apparently got slightly hung up, allowing gas into the line. Once I realized what had happened, I jiggled the Flex+ fermenter a bit and normal flow resumed.

No cold crash, 4 ounces of dry hops in a 5 gal batch. Easy peasy.

Thanks again to all who contributed to this success.

 

[Broken Crow]

Kudos! Since many fermenters have TC ports, this thread is likely to come up in searches by others looking for solutions...A picture is worth a thousand words. Any chance you can post a pic of what your chosen assembly for your success story?

 

[sibelman]

I bought part # TC15BLL from brewhardware.com. It comes with a short dip tube, which I replaced with the longer FLOTit dip tube that features a narrower tip for the skinny FLOTit tubing. I also bought some spare skinny silicone tubing - 5mm ID x 7mm OD, walmart.com of all places.

Here is the photo @Broken Crow suggested: