Plumbing options help please; camlock v speedfit

[newtonsshed]

So I’m re-plumbing the brewery after getting verdigris on the inside of the Copper tubing. I currently use a mix of brass (tank connectors, to be replaced with ss elbows, washers and nuts) and copper compression fittings to connect the brewery up along with silicone ½” hose. The six ball valves I currently use have male threads, same as the pumps (I will eventually have 2 pumps; one for sparging as on single tier and one for herms) and the plate chiller which also have male threads. I want to move away from copper, (albeit the heat exchanger will remain as 10mm bore copper coil inside a kettle for some time, at least until Christmas but this was a new piece of mirco bore copper tubing I brought for this purpose and not had water inside yet so no Verdigis, yet).

I work out I need 14 female type to screw on the end of all the male threads I have (6 for end of ball valves, 4 for both pumps in and out and 4 for the plate chiller all seem to be ½” bsp) and at least 5 fully made hoses (1 MT into pump in, 2 MT pump out to boiler, 3 HLT to pump in, 4 HLT pump out to sparge arm, 5 bypass of herms which be hard plumbed in/spare) so 10 hose barbs to go on each end of the 5 silicone hoses.

The options I can see are;
1: Camlocks - Expensive, stainless steel are too hot to handle once in use, without gloves. Part A to screw on to male end threads and Part C to make hoses/tail ends up and mate with Part A.
2: John Guest/Speedfit – Approx £20 cheaper than ss camlocks (was considering Polypropylene camlock) but need bits of pipe to make the fittings up. Not as neat as camlocks, would they last as long as plastic? Female coupler/ tap connector- to screw on end of male threads with some barrier pipe fitted on the other end plus hose tail/barb to make hoses up.
3: Compression using stainless steel tubing – need spanner to tighten, not always leak free, not as neat as camlock. Tubing with nut/olive on end (pushed in to silicone tubing held in place with jubilee clip) to screw on to the male threads with another connection type (either 1 or 2) to go onto pump ends as not quite 15mm ½” fitting

They all seem to have drawbacks and advantages, in one form or another; The cost is about the same, the stainless steel pipe with compression is probably the cheapest but also the least user friendly, so seems really a choice between camlocks and speedfit. Which is the best option, or are there similar priced alternatives I’ve missed (not sure of tri clamps and think more expensive)?
Thanks Andy

[roscoe]

you could consider 'union' fittings as a minor improvement over compression ?

[newtonsshed]

Again though with unions as with speedfit/compression , I would still need bits of pipe fixed to the ball valves ends to mate too and again would either be barrier pipe or stainless steel pipe (circa £20 for 1m) I have seen some hose barb with swivel female connectors, which would screw directly on to the threads of the ball valves, but these are £16 each so three (just to do the ends to the ball valves /kegs (1. HLT out to pump 1 input (to sparge arm), 2 MT out to pump 2 input. 3. pump 2 out to boiler input) is nearly £50 and then still need connectors for the pump. I'd also be worried about knackering the threads on the ball valves constantly screwing/unscrewing the couplings.

http://www.hoses.co.uk/hydraulics/jay-m ... c41c4bd686

Ideally I think I want all the hoses and connectors to be interchangable, so it wouldn't matter which hose is used where as all compatable. So I don't see the benefit of Union over compressions? Still think it's a toss up between Speedfit and camlock and camlocks have the advantage of neater appreance with no bits of pipe sticking out on the ends but drawback of being hot to handle whereas speedfit are a bit cheaper and not as hot to handle? but bulkier and plastic which may not be as robust as stainless steel?.

[Jocky]

Looking at the plumbing options for my new brewery, and wondered what your final decision was on this.

[Aleman]

Camlock . . no question . . .

Try Intrico , they have recently reduced their prices, alternatively MrLard at BrewBuilder

[darkonnis]

Go Tri-clamp throughout.

[Jocky]

Why?

[stuey]

Camlock. 316 stainless. Standard seals. We use them at work. Quick, easy, hygienic, don't leak, robust, cost effective, flexible in their application with standard threads and hosetails depending on your needs. Intrico are great to deal with (ask for Calvin) and are keen to supply the homebrew market. No connection (pun intended!) to Intrico other than a satisfied customer.
If you're using the threaded ones use ptfe cord instead of the usual tape. Neater finish and a better seal.

[darkonnis]

Because tri-clamp are very very simple. They are hygienic fittings, also if you get a standard size say 2" (50.5mm) you can basically attach any piece of kit to any other piece of kit. Want to see what it would run like with a valve and return line to limit flow off a pump? You can and it'll take you about 30 seconds. Only got a limited number of valves as you've bought new kit and need to move things about? Also no problem. Want to dismantle your kit after every brew to keep it clean/dry and in a box? No problem, also only takes a minute. To add to that, no PTFE, no leaks, no stuck threads, no endless amount of reducers into female:female fittings, there is a tri clamp for just about everything. Sample valves, inline sight glasses, temp probes, you name it you can probably get it and if you go that way from the get go, it isn't that much more expensive, in fact it works out cheaper as you need less bits.

Of course, it's up to you.

[stuey]

Guessing you mean tri-clovers D and not camlocks?

[ciderhead]

Camlocks all the way recently purchased from Intrico and offering great prices for JBK members, 3 brews in and I don't know how I got by before.

[darkonnis]

*sigh* yes I did. good spot

[stuey]

[roscoe]

I bought some tri clamps delivered from china @£12 or clamp/seal and 2 ends

Luxury and simplicity, long time ago I have a manifold that was impossible to clean/maint tri clamps are magic and if you need to rinse I just unclamp and attach hot or cold water so cool, I never considered these before cos' I thought they were very expensive, but for 1 1/2 using 1/2 silicone or 3/4 pvc reinforced or garden hose they are great