Quick Disconnects / Camlock - Advice

[neo__04]

Hi all,

Just finished setting up & maiden run of my BM clone.

I don't have any quick disconnects or camlocks at the moment but am looking at going down this route.

From my reading most seem to use camlocks.

I have a ball valve on the pot and a valve underneath to recirc back through the ball valve to whirlpool.

Today i used a plate chiller for the first time, and im finding i lose a lot of liquid everytime i swap a connection.
The hose is always full and when you take it off to reconnect to pot/chiller you always lose some.

Do camlocks seal at all?

Does anyone else have a similar problem with multiple connections and losing wort?

Any help would be great

 

[dblunn]

Hi, no cam locks do not seal. Cam locks clamp up against a washer and ball lock type seal with an o-ring. Both types are open/non sealing. get a s/s bucket and put that underneath to catch the slops then tip it back in to the kettle/mash tun etc.
Dave

 

[dent]

Yeah sounds like what you're looking for is connectors that seal on both the hose end and the connector - like ball locks on corny kegs - I'm not aware of any reasonable priced connector like that for the brewing market.

I think it comes down to the design of your brewery - maybe reconsider the arrangement or levels of your vessel so that you don't have liquid coming out every time you disconnect something.

 

[komodo]

You "could" use threaded camlocks into a ball valve then use a threaded fitting to hosetail.
Sounds expensive and would hang out a long way.

Best bet is a food grade bucket underneath

 

[Yob]

LINKY

LINKY 2

personally, I just run Barb attachments

 

[sp0rk]

LINKY

LINKY 2

personally, I just run Barb attachments

second link has been removed

 

[Dan Pratt]

Im using camlocks on hoses that run from the kettle/pump/cfc/whirlpool kettle return.

That same whirlpool kettle return line is used to transfer to the FV. I have no worries about these sealing unless I undo the camlock pins. h34r:

You can set your system to have as many camlocks and hoses as you need and shouldn't need to undo them which during the process, this = no spillages of wort. ( when you have finished transfering to the FV, then grab a bucket as there will be some....unless you CIP)



Here is my camlock hose setup.

 

[barneyhanway]

I have 2 breweries, one uses camlocks, the other uses quick disconnects.
Id go for QDs every time, way less fiddly, they do what you want them to with far less fuss.

 

[blekk]

I have 2 breweries, one uses camlocks, the other uses quick disconnects.
Id go for QDs every time, way less fiddly, they do what you want them to with far less fuss.

What type/brand/supplier of QDs barney?

 

[crozdog]

sounds to me like you need to install a tap between the vessel & the cam lock / QD so that it is only the liquid in the hose that may spill.

Then again I may have mis-read what you're trying to say. i know that you can get garden hose fittings with a "stop" valve built in. when you disconnect them the "valve" seals up. I used some an age back.

edit:
adding links to "stop" fittings"
http://www.gardena.com/au/water-management/hose-connectors/hose-connector-stop-valve-13-mm/
here is a brass one http://www.bunnings.com.au/hose-fit-connector-toro-12mm-brass-w-stop-1011643_p3130526

 

[neo__04]

Yeah its mainly just the liquid in the hose, I know its not a huge amount, but it i swap a couple of times through the brew,
and im already struggling with efficiency, its just more wasted wort.

All good, as long as i know its pretty common its all good

 

[Tex083]

I swap only at the pump inlet, MT for recirculating mash and then HLT for sparking.
Last brew day I thought a hose from the MT to BK would be good as I'm splashing hot wort into the kettle. I plan on using cam locks and making sure the runs are short to minimise the loss. A 90bend on a pump inlet can save a good length of hose

 

[Fat Bastard]

QD's , especially the valved kind that seal when disconnected are a pain in the arse. They restrict flow, and will clog as soon as you look at them. Go for some clever valving and triclovers or camlocks. Or just hose barbs and clamps. Any sort of valved QD will be a decision you regret, unless they're massively oversized for your hose. Trust me, I wasted money on them.

 

[Feldon]

Non-drip quick connects do exist. Why don't homebrewers use them? Dunno. Used in dairies so breweries should be OK.

One company that makes them is CEJN. Their model 606 seems to be the one to use (and is 316 stainless).

Thing is, if 1/2 inch internal flow is needed may need to up the vessel fittings to 3/4 inch - but do you really need full 1/2 inch flow? (type 606 has 9/16 inch internal flow)

Possibly not cheap, but you can use the male directly on the vessel in place of a ball valve saving some cost.

Females also available as panel mount in some models.

Various types of internal o-ring available inc food grade.