The Great Valve Debate?

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:47 am

Hey all,

As many of you know I am currently in build of an entirely new electric system. The design is based on Kal's from The Electric Brewery. However, Have devaited from his in most aspects of control. However, the pot incorporation will be very similar.

The difference is I am not using BoilerMakers as they are so dang expensive. Which now leaves me the task of determining my own valve height for the output valves.

The BoilMakers have a fairly high valve, by looking at the pictures and extrapolating, they look to be between 2 1/2 and 3 inches above the bottom with a dip tube.

However, I am unsure of height placement for mine. The only advantage I can see in a higher valve is that it is easier to connect hosing to the quick disconnects and for opening and closing the valves, the down sides of having them higher is that they drive higher other components in the rig, such as false bottom, boil elements, HERMS coil, ect...

Was kind of looking for some advice from you all to see if I have missed anything in the PRO's/Con's of incorporation of the valves. Any thoughts?

JimF · Post by **JimF** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:14 pm

I have a 10 gallon BoilerMaker if you want to take a look and do some measurements. Also, I think it was Randy(?) that showed off a great, cheap dip tube solution at one of the tech meetings which would also be an option.

-MG- · Post by **-MG-** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:16 pm

I personally like the position on the boilermakers for the valves. They are at the right height for me to use my quick disconnects without jamming my hand against the table all day.

Not sure if this answers your question. I have the boilermakers and if you want I'll be happy to show you the setup so you can measure and look at how I've incorporated the setup. Mine is pretty much 100% Kal Clone.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 2:27 pm

I have one of the old style Italian kettles and the valve is about an inch off the bottom. I use a copper elbow and just push it in the hole for a dip tube. It gets me to the bottom of the kettle for under $3. Easy to remove and works great.

I really like the dip tube on the Boilermakers. Wish they sold that separately. I guess if going from scratch I would find a dip tube system I like and let that determine the height of my ball valve.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:52 pm

-MG- wrote:I personally like the position on the boilermakers for the valves. They are at the right height for me to use my quick disconnects without jamming my hand against the table all day.

Not sure if this answers your question. I have the boilermakers and if you want I'll be happy to show you the setup so you can measure and look at how I've incorporated the setup. Mine is pretty much 100% Kal Clone.

If yours is a 100% clone, then I am assuming you are using the 20 gallon BoilerMakers, could you measure from the bottom (true bottom) to the center of valve for me (from the inside would probably be easiest)?

Trying to evaluate from a picture is hard due to the unknow angles.

Thanks
Jeremy

-MG- · Post by **-MG-** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:39 am

I can, but won't be able to get it to you for a few days. On the road traveling.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:46 am

-MG- wrote:I can, but won't be able to get it to you for a few days. On the road traveling.

Thats OK, probably won't get to drilling until the weekend. Thanks a bunch for doing this for me.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:14 pm

-MG-

Have you happened to get that measurement yet? I was kind of hoping to get my HLT done today.

-MG- · Post by **-MG-** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:13 pm

BrewHound wrote:-MG-

Have you happened to get that measurement yet? I was kind of hoping to get my HLT done today.

still out of town. I don't get in until tomorrow evening.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:59 am

-MG- wrote:
BrewHound wrote:-MG-

Have you happened to get that measurement yet? I was kind of hoping to get my HLT done today.
still out of town. I don't get in until tomorrow evening.

Ok, thanks, didn't realize you were gone over the weekend. I did get get the element in the HLT.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:10 pm

MG, any chance u have had time to measure the height of that valve yet?

-MG- · Post by **-MG-** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:11 am

BrewHound wrote:MG, any chance u have had time to measure the height of that valve yet?

The center of the hole is about 3 1/4 inches above the bottom

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:56 am

Thanks bud, appreciate it!