Hi guys....I have been searching on the forum and online to try to get to nirvana....not have to shift hoses at any point for an all grain setup. I am currently in the middle of switching over from QD to tri-clap and currently use the following:
2 Keggles
1 20 gallon mash tun
2 chugger SS inline pumps
Counter Flow Chiller
Basically want to be able to go from start to finish without switching hoses have been looking at 3 way valves (Duda Diesel).
I have been trying to find a diagram/pic of setup to determine which route I want to go but have found nothing definitive that is helpful.
Anyone made this happen and can share some pics of their setup?
Many thanks in advance.
I just got my system put together and did a test run with some Oxi clean last night. It is similar to yours.
I used 3 manifolds with a combination of 2 and 3 way valves. I am putting together a you-tube showing what I did and hope to post it in a day or two.
I have:
Tan Pump dedicated to HLT
Chugger pump for recirculation, transfer from mash tun, transfer from boil kettle to Chiller.
HLT with recirculation arm,
RIMS,
Mash Tun with Sparge Arm,
Boil Kettle with whirlpool arm,
counterflow chiller
water input.
I am using 6 - 3-way and 3 or 4 - 2-way valves on the manifolds. I have valves on the outputs of the HLT, Mash Tun amd Boil Kettle and on the input of the RIMS. I also have valves on both sides of the Chugger pump (the input has a bleeder to get air out, I don't restrict it or it would cause cavitation).
I recently bought more 2 and 3 way valves on e-bay. I spent the following on each new valve - $15.99 for 3 way, $5.99 for 2 way. Make sure that you get "T" valves for your 3 way valves. These let the valve and its "T" hole spin 360 degrees.
3-way "T" valve
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=391647195439
2-way
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=271346032325
I bought the stainless pipe, fittings and "T"s from SuppyHouse.com. They have the best prices by far and shipping is cheap.
I also bought "Kent" plastic quick connects from BargainFittings.com.
I built 3 different "Manifolds" with a 3 way valve on the outside and a 2 way valve in the middle. I ran hoses to/from them to complete what ends up being kind of a mesh.
I will be able to do a brew day without moving a hose until I put one in the fermenter.
I did find that it is going to take some thinking to flip the valves in the right directions, but it will work.
The valves on the HLT, RIMS & Mash Tun go:
3 - 2 - 3 - 2
The other two manifolds for the pump and MashTun out, Boil Kettle Whirlpool, Boil Kettle out and counterflow chiller go:
3 - 2 - 3
I will post some pictures or a link to the youtube. I will probably start a build thread.