Sight level with silicone hose

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GreenEnvy22
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Sight level with silicone hose

Post by GreenEnvy22 »

I'm working on a new build, and I want a way of being able to see how much liquid is in my boiler. Both for measuring (also make beer) and for ensuring I have liquid above my element.

My old (beer only) setup had a 90 degree elbow coming out the side of the kettle, then a glass tube with markings on it. The tube was just open to atmosphere at the top.
This worked but was fragile and being open to atmosphere it's not the best for distilling.
So I want to have something similar in my new build, but have it return to the top of the kettle so it's a closed system.
Brewhardware has a kit for this, but they are using silicon tubing instead of glass:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/flexsight-l.htm

So I know plastic/silicon is a no-no in vapour path, but wondering about it's use here. The liquid would still be hot, but not boiling hot, as it's not going to really flow much. Could also install some valves on both ends to keep it isolated until I want to check level, then open them, and close again. With that setup, there shouldn't be enough time for the cool liquid in the tube to heat up.

I also still have some of the glass tubes so I could try to make something work using that too, basically would be the same connection on top and bottom, but I'd have to be very precise in cutting the holes in the boiler since it wouldn't have any wiggle room length wise. I could still shield this with some copper pipe as well.

Of course I could just not bother with this and just do the math to ensure my liquid level is high enough, or I could install a single bulkhead style sight glass at just above the element level to watch if liquid drops below that level, but then I don't get convenient level indications.

Thoughts?
---
I have a 50L pot still with dual Liebig condenser.
I typically make Whisky, grappa, and brandy.
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Setsumi »

The more holes the bigger chance for a leak.... i understand your reason but as you say doing the math (and with experience of a few runs) should get the same results. I would go for the bulkhead sightglass you mentioned.
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NZChris
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by NZChris »

A glass sightglass would have to be able to move in the top fitting to allow for the different rates of expansion when heated.

The math is easy.

You could put it on scales and watch the weight.
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Dancing4dan »

Use a piece of hose on your boiler drain valve to check boiler volume during a run. Attach to your drain valve, hold the other end up to get a reading. Blow back into the boiler and close the valve.

I use this same idea to add liquid to a boiler mid run through a chugged pump.
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Yummyrum
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Yummyrum »

Dancing4dan wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:36 pm Attach to your drain valve, hold the other end up to get a reading.
Should work for a Pot still , but might behave more like a Manometer if there is back pressure , IE if you are running plates or a Thumper etc .

Probably Close enough , but could also be a few inches higher than the level inside the boiler .

That is why sight glasses have top connected to boiler head space .
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by bluc »

My first boiler had silicone hose between two stainless elbows for level. It worked but plan on changing it frequently as it gets stained.
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by bluc »

A 4" fill port is a much better option.
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GreenEnvy22
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by GreenEnvy22 »

Dancing4dan wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:36 pm Use a piece of hose on your boiler drain valve to check boiler volume during a run. Attach to your drain valve, hold the other end up to get a reading. Blow back into the boiler and close the valve.

I use this same idea to add liquid to a boiler mid run through a chugged pump.
Simple, I like it.
---
I have a 50L pot still with dual Liebig condenser.
I typically make Whisky, grappa, and brandy.
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Deplorable »

bluc wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:58 pm A 4" fill port is a much better option.
This, but it can be expensive to get a glass 4 inch cap. Damn sexy on the top of a nice boiler though. 8)
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by NZChris »

You could use a horizontal float switch wired to set off an alarm or shut the still down.
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Windy City »

Deplorable wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 6:29 pm
bluc wrote: Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:58 pm A 4" fill port is a much better option.
This, but it can be expensive to get a glass 4 inch cap. Damn sexy on the top of a nice boiler though. 8)
I have one of these on my packed column still
https://www.glaciertanks.com/tri-clamp- ... 0-fkm.html
At 65.00 not too crazy expensive
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Deplorable »

Thats not as bad as I thought it'd be.
So, you can just unscrew that and fill the boiler?
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Re: Sight level with silicone hose

Post by Windy City »

Deplorable wrote: Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:12 am Thats not as bad as I thought it'd be.
So, you can just unscrew that and fill the boiler?
The glass side is screwed together but the other side that mounts to the boiler is tri-clamp.
I have never unscrewed the glass side and just remove the triclamp to fill or clean
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Cranky"s spoon feeding for new and novice distillers
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
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