Connections for a counterflow chiller

[DocAnna]

A new toy arrived in the post this week, a shiny coiled counterflow chiller which is an upgrade from my immersion chillers, and I hope will make it easier to whirlpool at the hopstand stage since the chiller won't be in the way. It has bare copper connections which I'd really appreciate some advice on how to connect. The water flow would be helpful to attach to a hozelock connector and I was hoping a camlock from the central pipe to the pump camlock of the brewzilla. This is a bit new for me though and I do find all the fractions and abbreviations of thread types a teeny bit intimidating.

My thoughts are:
For water connection a 3/8" Pushfit x 1/2" BSP Male Straight Adapter attached to a hoselock compatible 1/2" connector
For wort connection I'm a bit stuck.. thinking camlock male fitting with a barb to a 12/21mm silicone tube to connect to the brewzilla pump output, with the other end attached to the 3/8" pipe somehow ... but that's the bit I don't know how to do . I also need to connect the wort out with a similar connection.

All those engineer, mechanical type people out there any ideas? ⚙

Anna

 

[DocAnna]

I've spent far too long staring at screens of connectors and now feel totally confused, and they do seem really expensive! Cam locks in particular, looks like I need a type F male fitting to attach to the Brewzilla/Robobrew pump out. Right now compression clips are looking an attractive cheaper option.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Hi Doc. Firstly, are you sure the two pipe tails are 3/8” and not 10mm? Hoselock fittings usually attach to 1/2” BSP or 3/4” BSP. Camlock fittings 1/2” BSP.
Assuming the tails are 10mm diameter, you could fit 10mm compression fittings with 1/4” BSP male

https://www.screwfix.com/p/compression-adapting-male-coupler-10mm-x/62592
and then a 1/4” BSP to 1/2” BSP reducer

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bush-x-2...nPIYkiByUmeN73o7I5caAkPEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
You can then fit either Hozelock or camlock.

Alternatively, if you don’t like the idea of compression fittings you can go push-fit with one of these.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hep2o-plastic-push-fit-adapting-male-coupler-10mm-x/214fj
Edit: 1/2" BSP Type A Camlock Fitting

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hozelock-threaded-outdoor-tap-connector/52973

 

[DocAnna]

Hi Doc. Firstly, are you sure the two pipe tails are 3/8” and not 10mm? Hoselock fittings usually attach to 1/2” BSP or 3/4” BSP. Camlock fittings 1/2” BSP.
Assuming the tails are 10mm diameter, you could fit 10mm compression fittings with 1/4” BSP male

I was going on the basis of Kegland's setup video that referred to them being 3/8" but didn't connect to the things that would work for the UK and used duotight fittings. I don't really know for sure... ahh just checked the kegland site and yes it is 10mm. Ok thank you lots, the compression fittings are ideal. I really feel out of my depth with all the thread measurements and sizes. That they are available from screwfix is the icing on the cake really ☺.

 

[private4587]

Hi Anna can you let me know what you finally went with as I’m expecting Santa to bring me the same chiller. Plus links if you have them

 

[dcbrookes]

I had one of these - the pipe external diameters are a tad under 10mm, but 10mm compression fittings will tighten down enough to give a good seal. I used four 10mm compression to 1/2" BSP fittings (about £2.50 each on Ebay) (example linked below). To these I added Hoselock tap adapters for the water and 1/2" BSP Camlock fittings for the wort (or you could use 12mm x 1/2" BSP hose tails). I would not use Duotight /JG fittings as shown in the Kegland video - brass is stronger and better at high temperatures. You don't need to use 1/4" BSP fittings with a 1/4" to 1/2" BSP adapter as suggester by Buffer - go straight for 10mm to 1/2" BSP:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373568589449?hash=item56fa6c4e89:g:yykAAOSwU2dgkqty

 

[Buffers brewery]

I had one of these - the pipe external diameters are a tad under 10mm, but 10mm compression fittings will tighten down enough to give a good seal. I used four 10mm compression to 1/2" BSP fittings (about £2.50 each on Ebay) (example linked below). To these I added Hoselock tap adapters for the water and 1/2" BSP Camlock fittings for the wort (or you could use 12mm x 1/2" BSP hose tails). I would not use Duotight /JG fittings as shown in the Kegland video - brass is stronger and better at high temperatures. You don't need to use 1/4" BSP fittings with a 1/4" to 1/2" BSP adapter as suggester by Buffer - go straight for 10mm to 1/2" BSP:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373568589449?hash=item56fa6c4e89:g:yykAAOSwU2dgkqty

Good find @dcbrookes . I couldn't find that fitting on the Screwfix site when I looked.

 

[dcbrookes]

I found a couple of pictures of the Kegland counterflow chiller with 10mm x 1/2" fittings attached.

 

[dcbrookes]

Good find @dcbrookes . I couldn't find that fitting on the Screwfix site when I looked.

I have found that Screwfix and Toolstation have a limited range of BSP brass fittings, so I tend to look on Ebay as a first port of call.