40mm ball valve or heating element

[mstrelan]

I recently acquired a free 70L stainless steel stock pot with a hole drilled in it that apparently fits "Craftbrewer weldless elements". The hole looks to be about 40mm in diameter, but the elements on Craftbrewer website require a 32mm hole. Can anyone recommend a 40mm ball valve or heating element, or some way to plug the hole? I found this but it's $168.

 

[sp0rk]

40mm is more or less 1.5"
I'm thinking a 1" socket will fit in there, but you'll need it welded or soldered/brazed
This element would do the job nicely, but I'd contact 5 Star just to make sure
http://www.5stardistilling.net/2400w-heating-element/

 

[mstrelan]

Sorry, I'm a complete noob. Won't it be too small?

 

[sp0rk]

It may or may not be, the socket/nipple you use has an internal size of 1", then add wall thickness to take you up close to 1.5"

 

[micbrew]

Gday there

I have a 70 litre pot with approx. 40 mm round socket . the element I used is a 3600kw.
this requires min 15 amp circuit to run.

reckon you should select an element to suit your set up and check size available.

remember water and electricky don't mix ... that's why I had my socket welded in ..perfect

micbrew

 

[breakbeer]

Measure the hole instead of guessing the size & start from there. You might be surprised & find that it's actually only 32mm, in which case there are several options

 

[mstrelan]

Measure the hole instead of guessing the size & start from there. You might be surprised & find that it's actually only 32mm, in which case there are several options

That's exactly what I did. I assumed it was 32mm but then measured about 40mm with a stainless steel ruler. "About 40" because I can't guarantee the ruler was precisely across the diameter of the hole.

 

[moonhead]

Grab some cheap fittings, like 1&1/2" BSP, 40mm, etc, see what fits... from there you can search for accessories.

 

[mstrelan]

I appreciate everyone's responses, I don't understand any of it. What fittings specifically? Any of these? http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X1.5%22+BSP+fitting.TRS0&_nkw=1.5%22+BSP+fitting&_sacat=0

 

[sp0rk]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-Female-x-Female-Threaded-Pipe-Fitting-Stainless-Steel-SS304-BSP-NEW-/111366571155?hash=item19edf70493:g:wokAAOxy2CZTXyI7
So the internal threaded section of this fitting is 1"
As there is some material between the internal threaded section, and the external face of the fitting, the diameter is larger on the outside
What you might want to do is message the seller and ask for the external size, you'll want one that's as close as possible to 40mm
You can then get someone to weld this to your pot

Your other option is to use a reducing bushing, and use that as a weldless bulkhead
So you'd want something like the following parts to use a screw in 5 Star element
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-1-2-Male-x-1-female-Stainless-Steel-threaded-Reducer-Bushing-Pipe-Fitting-/140726151948?hash=item20c3eeab0c
A 40mm/1.5" stainless washer (couldn't find one on ebay)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-2-2-Lock-Nut-Stainless-Steel-304-O-Ring-Groove-Pipe-Fitting-Lock-Nut-BSP-Hot-/321732321674?var=&hash=item4ae8bda18a:m:mGMYnw7vh4FYuw12j6baevQ
http://www.5stardistilling.net/2400w-heating-element/
Then some silicone mat to cut out a seal, or hi temp silicone RTV sealant (the red stuff)

 

[breakbeer]

That's exactly what I did. I assumed it was 32mm but then measured about 40mm with a stainless steel ruler. "About 40" because I can't guarantee the ruler was precisely across the diameter of the hole.

Yeah sorry, I thought when you said 'it looks to be about 40mm' that you'd just looked & guessed

 

[mstrelan]

What about something like this element? http://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/element5500_ripple_tc.htm

Could I just add this https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15wlf.htm

with this https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/etc3.htm

Obviously have electrician wire it up / test it.

 

[sp0rk]

Yep, all that kit will sort you out