[Dave King]

I'm about to order a bunch of Camlock QD's and Si hose to upgrade my system with.  1/2" hose and 1/2" npt males look right.  I'm thinking female Camlocks with 1/2" hose barbs, but it looks like that may be somewhat of a flow restriction.  But is it significant?  Should I go to the next larger barb, the 5/8"?  How about hose clamps, just use the usual SS worm drive type?  Thanks!  Brew On!

[Jeff M]

I personally prefer the female camlock with female 1/2 NPt with a 1/2 male barb with male NPT thread.  It gives more heft, more area to hold, and better flow because you are right, the camlock barbs are very narrow.

[Dave King]

Jeff, you stretch the 1/2" ID Si hose over the 1/2" NPT?  I'm surprised it's not too much stress.  It isn't hard to accomplish, and the hose doesn't fail after some time?  Bargain Fittings web site shows this as an option, but I was concerned there's too much interference.

[Jeff M]

Nope, the 1/2 Silicone hose fits on a 1/2 barb perfectly. you should of course use smooth band hose clamps to keep the hose on the barb.  I have not had any failures.  The closest i have come is to much pressure from a pump causing a hose to balloon, and that is not a barb issue.  Thats a careless person issue:)

[Jeff M]

I used these barbs.

http://stainlessbrewing.3dcartstores.com/12-SS-KC-NIPPLE_p_83.html

[nbarmbrewer]

I use these camlocks

https://www.brewershardware.com/1-2-Cam-and-Groove-Coupler-X-1-2-high-flow-Hose-Barb.html

[Dave King]

Nbarmbrewer,
It says "1/2" High Flow Hose Barb," but that's clearly a larger barb, no wonder they get more flow.  I'm looking at Bargain Fittings, and they suggest using 5/8" barbs for better flow, but you have to add a fitting to get there;

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=36_39_61

That makes it over $5 more per fitting.  The re-design from Brewers Hardware is $3.20 more.  Either way, I question the Si hose stretch to that bigger barb.  Do you use 1/2 Si hoses? 

Is there really a significant flow reduction?  My runs are short, 7' max. hose length, using a Chugger in-line pump.  I used 1/2" O.D. vinyl in the past, and I'm hoping for somewhat more flow, but it's not a big deal.

[mabrungard]

I calculated the headloss due to that small passage through those fittings and found that it was something like 2 inches of headloss. Not enough to worry about. Don't worry about it.

[Dave King]

Martin,

You're the man, problem solved by solid Engineering analysis, can't beat it.  Thanks a ton.

You probably don't remember, but we met at NHC in Grand Rapids, where you liked my Dad's Brown Ale.  You make a great FBI Agent, too!

[joe6pack]

I use the BIG C camlock, with his 1/2" silocone tubing, works great -
http://brewhardware.com/fittings-75/102-camlock-disconnects

[Dave King]

Joe6Pack,

I'm sure Big C CamLock's work great with 1/2" Si tubing, I recently found that a friend in Florida uses them, and is very happy with them, but if there's little pressure drop with the simple 1/2 barb, I'm going to just go for them. 

Thanks to everyone who responded, and I hope this discussion has helped more than just me.  So much of good brewing is knowing which variables are important, and which can slide.  This is one more small lesson.

[nbarmbrewer]

Nbarmbrewer,
It says "1/2" High Flow Hose Barb," but that's clearly a larger barb, no wonder they get more flow.  I'm looking at Bargain Fittings, and they suggest using 5/8" barbs for better flow, but you have to add a fitting to get there;

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=36_39_61

That makes it over $5 more per fitting.  The re-design from Brewers Hardware is $3.20 more.  Either way, I question the Si hose stretch to that bigger barb.  Do you use 1/2 Si hoses? 

Is there really a significant flow reduction?  My runs are short, 7' max. hose length, using a Chugger in-line pump.  I used 1/2" O.D. vinyl in the past, and I'm hoping for somewhat more flow, but it's not a big deal.

I use 1/2" I.D. hoses max length about 7'. The barbs are still pretty tight going into the hose but i still use a hose clamp on it for the "Just in case".