The new sight glass

[barneey]

Whilst I`m building a new HLT I thought I would at least try out the larger diameter sightglass and hook bolt. I normally just use another skin fitting at the top to return any water back into the HLT.

As with all my other sight glasses I prefer a bottom outlet, easy to do on a thermos pot BUT not on a single skinned pot.

I also wanted some better indicator stickers for this build, so due to any calibration issues I`ve gone for the single items as I`m using an 80ltr pot

MrLard provided me with the sight glass kit (used normally on a single skinned pot), to make it fit my application I`ve added the normal bottom entry of choice the thru dec fitting, the only difference this time due to wanting the undersdie of the pot flush I`m going to use a 3/8 fitting and pipework.

As for the eyebolt a hole will be drill and the bolt screwed in, to back this up I will also resin the bolt in place.

[jmc]

Whilst I`m building a new HLT I thought I would at least try out the larger diameter sightglass and hook bolt. I normally just use another skin fitting at the top to return any water back into the HLT.

As with all my other sight glasses I prefer a bottom outlet, easy to do on a thermos pot BUT not on a single skinned pot.

I also wanted some better indicator stickers for this build, so due to any calibration issues I`ve gone for the single items as I`m using an 80ltr pot

MrLard provided me with the sight glass kit (used normally on a single skinned pot), to make it fit my application I`ve added the normal bottom entry of choice the thru dec fitting, the only difference this time due to wanting the undersdie of the pot flush I`m going to use a 3/8 fitting and pipework.

As for the eyebolt a hole will be drill and the bolt screwed in, to back this up I will also resin the bolt in place.

I like the idea as my sight glass doesn't work below 7L as it comes out the side.
Are you welding on an extension/ support to the HLT pot so that you can use the deck fitting and feed through support?

[barneey]

I dont think that additional support will be necessary, the thru deck fitting will support the pipework underneath, the rest of the fitting will pass through the side wall of the pot (in between the insulation) so will act as a normal side wall mounted sight glass.

[jmc]

Sorry barneey, I read your post incorrectly.
I thought you were trying to fit through-deck on base of a single skin HLT (like I have)

I've been wondered if adding a support to my single-skin 70L pot (new boiler) is possible to allow bottom-draining and make fitting a pig-tail element through the bottom an option, but as I can't weld its not likely to happen

[barneey]

Ah I see, might have to do a little bit more thinking on that one

One important note though about the 7ltr limit, on my previous pots I`ve always used the 1/2" stainless fittings and the JG couplers for the tube, the only trouble with that method is it raises the polycarb pipework somewhat so the "lesser" litre values cannot be measured, using this screw in pipe and the 3/8" fittings you will notice the polycarb pipework actually starts lower than the drain outlet so anything just over Zero can be measured.

[barneey]

To further explain the lesser litre values this is the standard bottom feed ones I`ve built in the past. You'll notice the JG fittings and the 1/2 pipework move the readable level higher up the pot.

[Belter]

How does the polycarb attach to the 3/8 elbow?

[barneey]

I`ve also asked the same question not so long ago the polycarb has a screw thread on it.

EDIT BTW its a 1/4" elbow on that end & a 3/8 elbow on the other

[Belter]

This is how it comes from MrLard? Or you've done it yourself?

[mrlard]

the sight glass is designed to thread into a 1/4" fitting. The polycarbonate was custom made to provide a suitable wall thickness - as standard polycarbonate doesn't allow this safely.

[greenhouseuk]

To further explain the lesser litre values this is the standard bottom feed ones I`ve built in the past. You'll notice the JG fittings and the 1/2 pipework move the readable level higher up the pot.

Sorry Barneey, a bit off topic... Your picture shows your elbow flush against your thermo pot, are you using an extra long nipple (40-50mm) and have you any leakage issues?

[barneey]

Nope, just use either a thru dec fitting or a long nipple with a washer + tighten , then tighten again. Should it not work squirt a little LSX compound behind the washer and try again.

[Highlander]

the sight glass is designed to thread into a 1/4" fitting. The polycarbonate was custom made to provide a suitable wall thickness - as standard polycarbonate doesn't allow this safely.

nice tidy idea.

[barneey]

+1 and gets over the height issue / need for additonal fittings

[greenhouseuk]

Nope, just use either a thru dec fitting or a long nipple with a washer + tighten , then tighten again. Should it not work squirt a little LSX compound behind the washer and try again.

Now I'm being a pest....
Ok I know you are a user of qmax - can you use these directly on double skinned pot or are you cutting the first hole with Starrett or similar?