Sight Glass - polycarbonate

[a1149913]

Anyone know where to get some polycarbonate tube to make a sight glass? or another cheap alternative?

Thanks

 

[Camo6]

On phone. What's your location?

 

[technobabble66]

Is polycarbonate ok for this?
I think I've read about people having trouble with plastics going opaque gradually from the wort and cleaners (though it maybe just been applicable to vinyl).

 

[mofox1]

I bought some off www.profileplastics.com.au in bayswater. $20 for 1m.

Unfortunately, the one in my kettle has developed stress fractures around the base after only 6 or so brews. Fairly sure it was because I did it up too tight, as the one I did looser (and with a blob of silicone) in the HLT is still going fine.

Fixing was a simple case of cutting the dodgy bit off and cutting new threads. BUT.... just in case, I bought this the other day: http://www.amazon.com/Polycarbonate-Tubing-Wall-Clear-Color/dp/B00193SS6K

The 3/8" tube I've got goes into a 1/8" NPT bushing (after cutting threads with a 1/8" NPT die), I'm fairly sure the 1/2" tube goes into a 1/4" ftting. Size ref here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_pipe_thread

 

[MHB]

I've always brought it from "Specialised Wholesale" here in Newcastle, would help if you said where you were from.
Mark

Edit
I've always used 1/2" and a Kinko nut and Olive washer, cheap reliable and easy to fix to most anything.
M

 

[mofox1]

Is polycarbonate ok for this?
I think I've read about people having trouble with plastics going opaque gradually from the wort and cleaners (though it maybe just been applicable to vinyl).

The one in my kettle did start to go cloudy, but I haven't yet got a pokey-brush-cleaner-thing for it yet... so it might just be an accumulation of crud.

I bought a couple of SS plugs for when I want to give it a long hot soak with some perc though, as I was concerned about the perc degrading the plastic. Seen mixed reviews on this topic on the various brit/'merican brew sites regarding this... some swear they've always used hot perc/pbw for 100's of brews with no ill effects, others say it broke their tube after the first perc soak.

 

[AntonW]

The perc will definitely degrade the plastic - but only after about 20 minutes of soaking. It's fine for use as a sight glass, just don't soak it in perc or any other oxidising cleaner.

 

[Camo6]

I got mine from Profile Plastics too. 1/2" tube into a 1/2" comp fitting into 90* elbow. I only use a s/glass on my hlt so it never sees perc. Still going strong two years on.

 

[a1149913]

Thanks guys, i'm in adelaide.

I wasn't sure if one of the hardware stores would sell them - like bunnings or something. Are there any other alternatives people use? maybe clear pvc tubing?

J

 

[mofox1]

Thanks guys, i'm in adelaide.

I wasn't sure if one of the hardware stores would sell them - like bunnings or something. Are there any other alternatives people use? maybe clear pvc tubing?

J

Wouldn't use pvc... but there is silicone tube, or borosilicate (ie pyrex) options.

I was going to use some borosilicate glass tube from affordableinspiration but they weren't stocking any of the size tube I wanted. Should've just gone with the 12mm stuff they had heaps of (and still do by the look of it). The stuff is dirt cheap too... $5 for 1.5m, and they will cut to (approximate) size for you.

I was going to protect it from knocks by putting it inside some aluminum U channel or sail track.

Obvious advantage of the silicone tube is that it's not going to break....

 

[a1149913]

thanks mofox, how were you going to attach the glass to your kettle/HLT?

 

[a1149913]

also what about pvc helical wire? at least you could take it off and clean it easily

http://shop.beerbelly.com.au/helical-wire-wound-pvc-hosing-1-2.html

 

[mofox1]

thanks mofox, how were you going to attach the glass to your kettle/HLT?

Couple of compression fitting elbows... most likely scenario was that I was going to ditch the ferrules and do a big bog of silicone sealant in its place.

 

[mofox1]

Received the polycarb from Amazon today (only ordered on Friday!)... Will do a prolonged perc soak on an offcut to test its durability. See how that matches up with an offcut from my existing poly.

 

[a1149913]

That was quick. How much was shipping from the amazon seller? The 1/2" OD will fit nicely into a common compression fitting

 

[mofox1]

From memory the whole lot was AUD$24 (for 3' of 3/8" OD). Came in some SOLID packaging!

This polycarb looks/feels a lot more "supple" than the one from profile plactics... has a slight carbon/grey tint to it. Generally looks nicer actually... hopefully the perc test is kind to it as I'd rather clean out the kettle with perc w/o removing the sight glass (long soaks excluded).

Just hit up amazon for 1/2" polycarbonate tubing, sold via amazon small parts.