Posted on by DrGus

DIY Keg Floating Dip Tube Mk2

Move over Mk1

In Mk1 version, there was a filter. I got feedback that this was causing grief when it got blocked. Additionally the build cost was on par with the off the shelf Fermzilla float. Well, we can’t have a situation where DIY cost more in parts than the commercially available item!

Mk2 Simpler Float

Mk2 works as follows

  1. The same float from Mk1
  2. The same replacement gas diptube OR cut down your existing liquid diptube
  3. The same length of silicone tubing as Mk1
  4. Except now, the float is held in place by two 316L 8mm flat washers, held in place by 2 Oetiker clamps.
  5. Note, the Oetiker clamps are push fit on this 8mm tube since they are 7mm. DO NOT CRIMP the clamps as you will not be able to dismantle and clean the float.

Notice that the float has an indentation/dimple in the side that is HEAVIER. You need to face this side to the bottom. If your float doesn’t have an indentation, you can find the heavier side by placing the bare float in a jug of water.

This is the bottom side of the float. Leave about an inch of tube overhang.

This the top side of the float. Don’t make the fit tight as you want the float to rotate freely on the tubing. Again DO NOT CRIMP the Oetiker clamps.  In the photos it is apparent that I did clamp mine because they were oversized. I used 9.5mm Oetikers for the prototype as that is what I had on hand).

As you can see below, the float  sits with the diptube under the water level.

You can fine-tune the float by adding more washers to the bottom side if your float does not behave properly.

Parts Required

Stainless Steel Float http://ali.pub/229u9j

Food grade Silicone Tube 10mm OD 7mm ID http://ali.pub/229umy

8mm Keg Diptube Short/Gas http://ali.pub/229vui

316L Washers (need 2) http://ali.pub/3ru9v6

7-9mm Oetiker Clamps (need 2) http://ali.pub/3ru9r3

Note, the clamps are not crimped. The only reason you would crimp them slightly is to get a tight (interference) fit on the silicone tube. This will allow you to adjust / fine tune and more importantly clean your diptube float assembly.

The list above will probably contain more parts than you need to make one float. ..

Feedback

I would appreciate some feedback on this new design if you decide to build mk2…

UPDATE 18.10

Mk3 is ready and working better than ever and way cheaper!

http://think.gusius.com/diy-keg-floating-dip-tube-mk3/

11 Replies to “DIY Keg Floating Dip Tube Mk2”

  1. Just wondering if you test a size bigger then 10mm silicon tubing (11mm?) as it’s a real pain in the @#%! To slip onto the diptube.

    What I can tell from experience is pulling these silicon tubes off sometimes stretches them out making them thin at the top and susceptible to plugging as they easily fold over blocking the flow.

    1. Thats a great suggestion. I will order some soon and try out. I have found 10mm OD x 7mm ID works well. The ideal would be 3/8″ OD, 1/4″ ID but I cant seem to find it in food grade…

  2. I’ve seen a description of inserting the silicone tubing into the dip tube rather than over it. That would enable one to attach the tubing without having to reach into the keg to do it. Has anyone tried this? If so, what size tubing?

    1. I believe the tube needs to be under 8mm so around 7mm should fit inside the diptube. However I would imagine the ID gets smaller again…

  3. Thanks for the articles, these are great! I just got the parts for the Mk1 version. What were the clogging issues? I had planned to use one of the Mk1’s in a Fermzilla to transfer to a a keg which had another. I was hoping the filter could hold up to free hops on the conical side but if not I can bag them.

    1. It all depends on how fine the hop dust is. These filters are used in the wine making process at the start of a siphon to leave behind finings…
      The only time I got a clog was with a mango cider. The pulp was a bit much for the filter…

      1. The float says that it is magnetic on the site that you linked. Can it stick to the inside of the keg? How strong is this magnetism?

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