Oop's! another newbie mistake with a Parrot

[ibfestus]

Don't ask why, but I decided to get a parrot. The ones for sale were $50 - $150. I had a foot of 3/4" and a foot of 1/2" copper, a and the reducers, tees, etc cost me about $12. I put it all together and found a problem. It works great except you can't read the Proof and Tralle Hydrometer when it is in the tube... any help is appreciated.

[firewater69]

Is your input above your hydrometer?

[zapata]

So you built a custom parrot, your design was flawed, and you want us to tell you how to fix it? Sure thing, no problemo. So, you see, you just have to make it so it isnt fawed anymore. Specifically? Um, put it together in a way you CAN read the alcometer. More specifically? Um, just move the thing blocking your view.
You know, maybe a picture would help?

[sltm1]

Um, did you discover this before or after you filled the parrot with alcohol?? No alcohol, no viewing, broken hydrometer no viewing, hydrometer upside down, no viewing. I've run out of potential problems.

[zapata]

Ibfestus, I dont want to pick on you in a mean way, just a fun way. But if you cant read it only because its not floating in alcohol yet, I'm gonna lol!

[baznkez]

Here Mate ,
this is what it needs to look like i made this but i am no plumber

[Pikey]

Look at baznkez's pjoto - the centre tube needs to be level with or higher than the edge of the cup.

[baznkez]

about 2 or 3mm higher mine is

[ibfestus]

Damn, I can't get the picture to post, but I copied a parrot I saw for sale on e-pay. Turns out I did a really good job in recreating the picture and after some more digging, the parrot this guy is selling can't work either. The cure was to cut off 1" of the reducer "tee," above the outlet allowing me to read the Hydrometer. I was a fool believing that if a guy was able to sell these things, they would work. Shit happens in your 70's and I still learn something new every day.

[still_stirrin]

Getcha’ a hack saw....cut the bowl shorter. Also, a magnifying glass might help too...if yer’ bifocals won’t sit still enuf on yer nose. You been trying to drive before you know “how to stop”....

Seriously, I suggest reading a while before you blow yourself up, or poison yourself.
ss

[Mikey-moo]

I saw a bloke in one of the Facebook Moonshining Groups was flogging parrots where the center tube was too low in the collection cup to read. He got quite miffed when I pointed out the issue. Some people are just a$$holes.
Well done on fixing yours though

[thecroweater]

design flaws ya say, yeah I know design flaws here's my first parrot , looks the part but it won't work while liquid is feeding in not even with my smallest mini alcometre

[acfixer69]

design flaws ya say, yeah I know design flaws here's my first parrot , looks the part but it won't work while liquid is feeding in not even with my smallest mini alcometre

Plus no dump valve on the bottom ya smeerin itall heheehee

AC

[thecroweater]

never use a parrot til hearts is running, never cared much for how heads is running. Blokes with free standing parrots don't have to worry about nuisances like smearing

[cob]

Getcha’ a hack saw....cut the bowl shorter. Also, a magnifying glass might help too...if yer’ bifocals won’t sit still enuf on yer nose. You been trying to drive before you know “how to stop”....

Seriously, I suggest reading a while before you blow yourself up, or poison yourself.
ss

interesting response considering the join date of ibfestus

[Codgerness]

What Pikey said: the inside pipe needs to be taller/longer than the top edge of your reducer, so your hydrometer floats above that edge in the alcohol. Then it spills over, trickles down the sides of the inside pipe, (about an inch worth), and is collected by the reducer.

[Codgerness]

Also, the way a reducer is designed, there is a couple of indentations that stop the smaller diameter pipe from sliding on through the reducer for correct installation in normal plumbing applications. On the parrot I built, I simply filed these "dogs" off to allow the pipe to slide all the way through the reducer. I used 3/4" pipe for the hydrometer well, and let it protrude until the top edge of the 3/4" was taller than the top edge of the reducer by about 1 inch.

[nuntius01]

don't forget to have some kind of atmosphere break. can't tell you how many times i've seen some one tie one straight in and then wonder why they get surging. not to mention the pressure build up

[Lucazzu]

That's mine Just fine today for 7€!! I didn't tried yet but i think It Will work fine!

[sltm1]

That's purdy, what kind of fittings ar they?

[Lucazzu]

That's purdy, what kind of fittings ar they?

I used copper fittings , i don't know how are they called but basically there's a big nipper that clamp and tighten them togheter with using any solder, i've Just added some solder is some places for sure!
(Sorry for my english, i'm italian!)