Urgent question re immersion heater fitting

[Matilda]

Hi all,

My keg has rims on it, (about 1/3 up and 2/3 up the side) which act like wheels when the keg is rolled...
I'm having my flange fitted today, but I'm worried about position.

If I fit the immersion heater between 1/3 and 1/2 way up the side of the keg, is it too high?

I presume it's best as low as possible, but thought I'd check with people who know more!

The problem fitting it lower is that those rims make for a really uneven surface for me to drill into and to weld/solder the flange in place.

Advice welcome

Thanks all

[Matilda]

This shows what I mean.
The space between the very bottom of the actual keg part, and the beginning of the lip is smaller than the size of the flange for the immersion heater

Hope that makes sense?!

Thanks

Ps, this is a pic of the top of the keg, but it's the same at the bottom...just the other way up!

[pfshine]

You want the heater as low as possible. Yes it can be a pita but thats where they need to be. You dont want to dry fire those things. Plus there is a temp stratification above and below the elements the lower it is the less fluid you have to yank into the boil.

[Matilda]

I've left it with the pro's now.
They're gone plasma cut a hole for the flange, and another person will silver solder the flange in place.
I think they're fairly sure about my needs :/

I did get the question "what's it being used for? A distillery?"

"No, sir! Not me! It's a water tank for a camper van" I replied

[pfshine]

Tell them to fill the keg half full of water and cut the hole with the keg on its side. This way the plasma spatter doesn't stick to the inside of the keg and rust out.

[DAD300]

I did the same with sand in the keg. I was a puss to have the water around plasma cutter.

[Matilda]

I think it might be too late!
Is that a big problem?

[skow69]

They have probably done this before. I would be surprised if they don't think of it.

[diode663]

Look into plasma water tables if youre afraid of plasma cutting near water. The head is completely submerged. Its quite alright.

[corene1]

Look into plasma water tables if youre afraid of plasma cutting near water. The head is completely submerged. Its quite alright.

+1 on that
I run one everyday and no problems

[Matilda]

They cut the hole yesterday, and said they weren't using the plasma cutter, just a drill, as it'd be neater.

I find out today whether a colleague can get me some (free) (legally sourced) 54mm pipe! (He says he can, but until it's in my hand I'm not getting too excited!

It's surprising how quickly it's all coming along now

[Matilda]

Hole is cut, and they were about the solder the flange when they suggested I find a stainless steel flange so it can be welded, bs the flux is toxic and needs to be cleaned really really well.

Can anyone advise on this?

Many in here say soldering is fine?

[pfshine]

What material is the ferrule? As for the flux it will be fine after hand cleaning and then the series of cleaning runs.

[Matilda]

Ferrule(flange?) is brass, so they've braised (.sp) the flange to the keg.
It looks good so far, but I collect the finished article this afternoon.
Will hand clean the weld carefully to ensure no flux remains.
I was more worried about the solder being lead free, which it is.