Aligning Ball Valves with Lock Nuts so the Handle is on top

mike0416 · Joined: 03 Jan 2017 Posts: 62

Hi Kal,

This may be something that I'm missing or one of those 'duh' moments, but I ran into an issue I'm hoping I can get some assistance with. My ball valves coming out of the HLT from the HERMS coil were leaking a bit from the outside between the ball valve and the lock nut. To get rid of this I tried to put a little extra tape around the nipple but it still leaked a bit. The only way to truly stop the leak was to tighten the ball lock against the lock nut. This caused the handle to be more in between the top and the side, which bothers me because I'm a perfectionist like that. Anyway, I'm wondering what you suggest to be able to get the handle back on the top where it belongs!

As a parallel subject, do you have any helpful hints when building the brewery to make sure the ball lock handles are aligned on the top? I went through some trial and error on this while building it. If you do, it may be something other might be interested in when building the system. Unless, of course, I'm overlooking something that makes this simple, which is entirely possible!

Thanks,
Mike

jcav · Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Posts: 205 Location: Central Florida

I use Loctite 55 pipe sealing cord instead of teflon tape. Works awesome and you can line up your ball valves anyway you desire. Excellent product and seals instantly with the ability to readjust to any position without having to take off and re-apply. Also seals with fewer turns with the wrench so there is a lot of room for alignment as you tighten the fitting down. Here is a link to a post I made on another site if you want to check it out.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/line-up-your-ball-valves-with-less-hassle.543536/

John

**kal**

mike0416 · Joined: 03 Jan 2017 Posts: 62

Yup, same question, Kal. I just didn't know if the compression fittings became an issue or not, which it does because I'd have to loosen that from the nipple and start over. Gonna try the Loctite 55 from jcav's post (thanks jcay) and see if I can fix it without it tightening down as much. Thanks Kal

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 2:54 pm Post subject:

I use bulkhead compression fittings for my coil and have had the same issue with the handles not lining up. I may try backing the valves back off and slipping on a nut. Then put the ball valve back on. This should allow me to lock the valve against the nut.

rcrabb22 · Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 462 Location: Illinois

For the pumps I went with 3 piece ball valves. Actually I went with 3 piece ball valves for all of them but that was my personal preference. Tighten the ball valve so the handle is at the 12, 3, 6 or 9 o'clock position then take the valve apart and reposition the handle as appropriate.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:46 am Post subject:

KB · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:02 pm Post subject:

jcav · Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Posts: 205 Location: Central Florida