Hlt Sight Glass

[Batz]

I and looking at fitting a sight glass/tube to the HLT and boiler that I am currently making
Has anyone fitted one the thier kegs?
If so what did you use , I was thinking of a couple of stainless 90 deg. compression fittings.
Perhaps use some beer line or similar
Someone must have been here before me
Cheers Batz

 

[Doc]

There was an article in BYO earlier this year that had a project to do it.
The article isn't online but I have that magazine.
I'll photocopy the article and scan it in at work next week and post it here.

Beers,
Doc

 

[Batz]

Cheers for that Doc
finished my stand this morning , looking good

 

[jayse]

batz
another cheap easy option for the kettle is make a dip stick.
basically use a long stick like your mash paddle and have it marked in litres all the way along.

for my H.L.T i just use a brass tee piece before the tap with a length of racking tube attached.
i'll make it seperate one day.at the moment its works great, but to take a accurate reading you have to turn the tap off to get the level right in the tube.
the racking tube has handled the H.L.T all the way up to boiling.but i wouldn't want to use it on the kettle with boiling wort for a long time.

 

[Batz]

That's an idea , thanks Jayse

 

[Batz]

Don't forget Doc , I am very interested to see that article

 

[Doc]

Shit forgot the mag today.
Wasn't in the office yesterday and forgot the article to photocopy today (don't have a flatbed scanner at home).
Will copy and scan tomorrow and post.

Beers,
Doc

 

[Batz]

Cheers doc
You know alcohol affects your shot term......arrr......arrr..... I forgot ???

 

[Batz]

you forgot again hey Doc?

 

[Doc]

Nope, I remembered and bought the mag to work.
Have photocopied the article so will scan it in tonight at home and convert to PDF and post it here.

Don't have a photocopier or flat bed scanner at home, and don't have a scanner at work

Beers,
Doc

 

[Doc]

.... and a drum roll please.

As promised here it is.

Beers,
Doc

PS: File size is approx 1Mb.

View attachment BYO_BuildaSightGlass.pdf

 

[big d]

on ya doc
that will keep batz off ya back

 

[Batz]

Thankyou Doc

 

[Batz]

I finally got around to making one of these , pics maybe of help/interested to anyone thinking of doing something similar

This one is on my boiler , I have one on the HLT as well

I made little shields to help keep the heat off

 

[Batz]

I had to machine down the acrylic tubing as it was 20mm and fitting are 3/4"
I also removed the srainless ferrels as I thought these would crush the tube.
I used a rubber gland from a elecrtcal fitting instead
No leaks

If you have any questions feel free to PM me about it

 

[Wax]

Nice job Batz.

Where did you get the temp gauge mate? I need one for my kettle.

 

[wessmith]

Guys, I just noticed this thread and saw you are using acrylic tubing - sorry but acrylic is no good as it "flows" once it gets hot and will continue to shrink and discolour. Get along to Cadilac Plastics and get some polycarbonate tube.

I used brass olive compression elbows with backnuts to set up my HLT as below:

 

[Batz]

DOH!
Don't know if I want to hear this 1

Is the pollycarbonate a ridgid tubing Wes?

 

[wessmith]

Yep, Polycarbonate is rigid - same stuff the "unbreakable beer jugs and glasses are moulded from.

Wes.

 

[Batz]

Well maybe that's what I have , I asked for something that would be on a boiler , that gets hot.

Test boil happening now :huh: