Solar pump question

[molehill]

Hi Guy's,
I have been reading up on Solar pumps and variable power supplies to run them. It has been suggested the a tattoo power machine gun can be used. I was wondering whether people are also using these as a variable power supply to run their solar pump? http://shop.solarproject.co.uk/sp312-va ... -p-22.html As they seem easy to set up and use.

Thanks in anticipation

[darkonnis]

If i remember rightly, the dial to alter the power to the pump on those supplies is a pita to get to and you need to get a screw driver to do it. They work fine just awkward to use conveniently

[molehill]

Hi darkonnis, If you look at the link, you will note that the dial is very exposed (on the outside) and easily adjustable.

[schlafsack]

It is on the outside, but faces the wall when the unit is plugged in. Being able to adjust the flow though the pump whilst it is running is useful

[molehill]

I agree and disagree because in my case I would plug it into an extension lead, which would give me access to the adjustment screw.

[greenxpaddy]

I found these....



http://www.asap-supplies.com/search/sta ... inless-316

Much cheaper than blichmann fittings. I'll let you know if they create a water tight seal without a washer or o-ring

[Deller12]

I use Pushfit Female Coupler 10mm x 1/2 BSP


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pushfit-Female- ... 9792160213

Works fine i bought 2 for less than £5 from B&Q

[darkonnis]

they work alright with flexi pipe deller? not that it makes a huge amount of difference truth be told but it'd be an added bonus

[Deller12]

Works fine with flexi pipe i get better pressure as well as im dowm to 10mm pipe

[Kev888]

I found these....

I've got some of those and I quite like them; they do need their threads sealing although I'd say the chances are high that you could find/use a nice squishy O-ring like the blichmanns instead (most fittings will need one or the other).

But unlike the blichmanns or tap connectors they are only one-piece, so when you screw/unscrew them the barb also rotates. Any hose thats connected also has to rotate - which could be a real PITA in some setups but conversely is fine if the hose is free at the other end or if you can easily detach it from the barb first.

Cheers
Kev

[greenxpaddy]

Cheers kev. What would you seal the thread with...PTFE or silicon sealant....

[Kev888]

It probably depends how often you want to unscrew them really. I'd try to find an O-ring if you want to unscrew often, as its just so clean and convenient in use - that would be my ideal choice. If not then Silicone or LS-X will work well too but thats really best if you want to attach the fitting semi-permanently as its annoying to clean out the sealer after disassembling. Between the two, PTFE lets you unscrew too, though you really need to peel it off and replenish it each time which is more faff than an O-ring and the layers may not be as hygenic as silicone/LS-X if you don't unscrew for cleaning.

Its definately worth a go. Okay, the blichmann disconnects are very nice to use: a hygenic 2-piece design that doesn't need threads sealing and with a grippy rubber coating that stops you burning your finger, and they also don't have the complexity or crevices of push-fit fittings. But I do see that percentage-wise they add a great deal to the cost of a budget solar pump. If you want to connect/disconnect on brewday I'd say its probably worth going for the blichmanns, but if not then something cheaper will still work well.

Cheers
kev