Valved Reflux Still - 1/4" Connections Are Leaking

[CornMealKid]

Hello,

I got a Valved Reflux still and my 1/4" connections are leaking when the 1/4" copper tubes get well water thru a hose. When the hose is turned on, it's not turned on even a fifth of how far open the valve can turn. The thing sprays from the 1/4" elbow/90s, unhooked it and used plumber's tape on the threading, similar result when hooked back up... Starting to think I must solder these connections in order to get them solid and leak-free. Garden hose is clamped onto a 1/2" pipe that's soldered to the 1/4" tube thru a drilled and soldered hole on an end cap... No leaks there, people suggest two clamps on each hose to pipe connection... Others say use a submersible pump or pond pump, others say get a discharge bypass, I'm starting to think that's the case... Should I solder the 1/4" brass fittings to the copper tube to seal it up or is the discharge bypass the way forward??

[bearriver]

Solder the brass/copper connection to stop the leak. You probably got all neanderthal tightening them down, and damaged the brass. (One finger tight rule of thumb when dogging down brass). If so, it's fine. Just solder it. I've been there, done that, learned the hard way...

Bypass valves are intended to reduce cavitation in submersible pumps. If you have a submersible pump, you should use a bypass valve to potentially elongate it's life span.

If you use city water or a well like me, then don't worry about the bypass valve... It's a useless waste of water. Fix all of those leaks and make sure you have a valve somewhere on the coolant line, to control the flow.

[CornMealKid]

Thanks BearRiver, did what you said, cleared the issue right up, I suspect you're right, I did tighten the fittings too much to begin with, probably deformed the farrule or something. Thanks again!