water heater element install

[runyon]

i found a very good write up a few days back about the installation of water heater elements in a boiler, but alas i've lost it and can't find it again. what i'm really interested in finding is what sort of fitting is used to thread the element into. also, has anyone tried mounting the older type square bolt on water heater elements? perhaps they're easier to attach.

[heartcut]

A ss 1" NPT coupling welded into the side of your keg works well. The heater thread's actually 1" x 11 1/2 TPI, but the NPT will work. Screw a plug or pipe nipple into the coupling (not too tight) before it's welded and it'll help keep it from warping.

[runyon]

i don't suppose there's a common spot to purchase these beauties? ebay (etc.) is probably my option?

[Prairiepiss]

Some hardware stores sell stainless fittings? Not many. Grainger sells them. McMaster Carr sells them. You mite find them on fleabay?

I used 1" NPT couplers that I cut in half. Ground a radius in the cut side to fit the side of the keg. Then welded them in place. You can see it in the my stuff link in my signature.

Other options are.
Triclamp flange welded in and an adapter cap with 1" NPT threads.

Or there is a bolt on flange that some have used with a pure cork gasket.

My boiler I'm building now I'm using stainless 1" NPT Union. Will weld the male part to the keg and mount the element in the female part. This way I can remove it easier. And use the same element in different boilers. Or different elements. See pic below.

Some have also had problems with the elements not seating good in a 1" NPT mount. They report they can't get them to seal. I just wrapped my with PTFE tape. And it worked good.

Union-2TY68_AS01.JPG (6.41 KiB) Viewed 3231 times

[runyon]

not a bad idea for switching the elements. also coping the edge of the fitting to fit the boiler. i was just planning on boring a 1" hole and filing from there.

i'm planning on running a 240v 4500w element in a large (about 20gallon) pot for stripping, and a 120v, 1500w element in a smaller (maybe 2 gallon) reflux. i just completed a self contained cooling system, comprised of a dishwasher water pump and an old ice chest. hopefully i'll be out of the wife's native area soon.

[heartcut]

I like the idea of using the union- could mount the element lower as well as the other advantages. Thanks.

[Bushman]

I just recently welded a 1/2 coupling 1" on mine and purchased a 5500w element from Lowe's. I placed mine 2" from the bottom as you do not want it to come into contact with the boiler. Also make sure you have sometype of protective cover (like an outdoor electrical cover) to protect it. Several ways you can attach it. I would post pictures of my set-up but won't be home until 10th of June.

[WOT]

You could do what I did. Pick up a 1.5" sanitary fitting and a heater housing from brewers hardware.

Here is a link
http://www.brewershardware.com/TC15F10NPSCOV.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Bushman]

Since I am on vacation and not near my resources it took my a while to find my supplier. Rather than spending the money on ferrules and tri-clamps as a connector I used a $2.48 1/2 coupling from Paramount Supply, it was way cheaper and works great.

[WOT]

Yeah it definitely not a "cheap" hobby to get into. I must have dropped the better part of 2g's into the set up. None of the electrical stuff was left to just get it to work. It was going to be safe or nothing.

[WV Shine]

Those housings from brewers hardware are really nice... I thought about it, but It just seemed a bit steep for my budget (what budget?!)

I used one of these stainless pipe locknuts on my first keg conversion: http://www.mcmaster.com/#cadinlnord/4464k586/=hnrrwp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
- works like a charm and has plenty of surface area to take silver solder if you don't have access to welding eqipment.

I picked up one of these for my second keg. Much cheaper than the one from brewers hardware, but it doesn't have the nice enclosure... ya get what ya pay for.
http://www.hillbillystills.com/Heating_ ... p/hecp.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[WOT]

And few weeks ago I dropped off the keg and all the fittings. The guy at the shop must have asked about a dozen times what I was using it for.I had them weld up a 5' long 3" diam pipe for carbon filtering too. I think he had a pretty good idea what I was using it for. I never did answer him.

[NcHooch]

You could do what I did. Pick up a 1.5" sanitary fitting and a heater housing from brewers hardware.

Here is a link
http://www.brewershardware.com/TC15F10NPSCOV.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Damn, they're right proud of those, aren't they?

[MuleKicker]

Plumberssupply.com sells a stainless 1/2 coupling that works great. A sanitary ferrule works good, easy to remove/ clean