probe holder

[reefpatrol3]

I need to put a ph probe holder inside my calcium reactor on the lid. I know there is a specific fitting you can use but the search is always down when I try. Does anyone know what it is. If I remember correctly it is some sort of electrical fitting I think.

[coralfragger101]

I think this is the one you might be looking for. It's the one I'm about to use.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/coralfragger101/RC%20Photos/Probe-Holder.jpg

[reefpatrol3]

looks about right, where did you get it. Not sure if its the same one, but you used to be able to get the one im thinking of at home depot or lowes.

[coralfragger101]

Home Depot with the electrical stuff.

[lobsterotomy]

coralfragger, what kind of fitting it that? I've seen most people use a cord grip (compression fitting):
http://www.alliedelec.com/Images/Products/Small/500-5383.jpg

-Also in the electrical aisle at HD

[strayvoltage]

That fitting looks to me like what you would use to go into a gang box or the like and attach the flex conduit to it.

[buck50bmg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14334670#post14334670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfragger101
I think this is the one you might be looking for. It's the one I'm about to use.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/coralfragger101/RC%20Photos/Probe-Holder.jpg

Thats for liquid tight conduit.... no way to seal the probe.....not going to work.

[coralfragger101]

I couldn't find a compression fitting.

I was going to silicone the probe into this fitting. Should work.

[RobWein83]

The following is instructions that I found on another website. I have yet to do this though, because it took me a while to find out exactly what tap sizes I needed and with which drill bit sizes. I added these correct sizing in this post. I found that Home Depot and Menards don't carry this larger Tap bit size individually, so I am awaiting mine to be shipped from an online store.



It is made from a Guest fitting, that I got from Home Depot for less than $3.50. Item number PL-3036

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0181.jpg

In this next pic you will see the material in the center of the fitting that must be removed. I used a 1/2 inch drill bit for this. I had to drill down about 1/2 of an inch and stopped when all of the material was removed. If you make one of these, you must be careful not to drill into the o-ring, seen in the third image. Drilling is done from the threaded side only. In the pic the center shadowed area is what is removed.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0182.jpg

This pic shows the finished result.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0183.jpg

This is the intended location of the probe fitting. I marked a spot through the fitting before drilling.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0184.jpg

...the drilled (with 23/32" drill bit) and tapped hole (with NPT 1/2" #14 TAPER TAP)

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0185.jpg

Finished...

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m166/RobWein83/IMG_0188.jpg

[reefpatrol3]

thanks for the replys, does anyone know where to get the cord compression fittings? I checked home depot and didnt find any. I will try the john gusset fitting.

[connecticut cichlids]

That fish place sells the probe holder, I believe under $10 .. And they're also an RC sponsor..:)

[connecticut cichlids]

Made by aquatic life....$7.29

[coralfragger101]

I had read about using the JG fitting as well.

I may try to look for the compression fitting once more before I silicone the probe into the fitting that I did find.

At least the threads appear to be the same on all of them so I have the tools to do it which ever way I end up finding the parts for.

QUESTION FOR THOSE USING THE JG FITTING: Does the probe seal using that? I have found doing other things that the JG fittings won't seal without being under pressure. I'm just not sure if there is enough pressure inside the CA reactor to make it seal or not.

[coralfragger101]

Just went to 2 HD's and 1 Lowe's.

None had the plastic Cord Holder.

My choices are the JG fitting (and hope it seals) or use the other fitting and silicone the probe into it.

OR wait on mail order for a real probe holder.

I guess I'll experiment with the JG fitting before deciding which way I'll go.

[coralfragger101]

TIP OF THE DAY:

If you are going to use the JG fitting for this, as stated by others, you need to drill out the bottom portion of it.

Rather than trying to be careful with the bit so that you don't mess up the O-Ring and other components it is real easy just to take those parts out first.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/coralfragger101/RC%20Photos/JG-TakeApart.jpg

Lift UP on the little white insert while pushing IN (from the outside) with a small screwdriver and it will just pop out. Then the O-Ring will come out as well.

When you're done drilling, it will all just snap right back in place.

Obviously I decided to go with the JG fitting instead of the grey one.

[mflamb]

I buy my probe holders from www.geosreef.com
$8.85 shipped.

[therealfatman]

Cole-Parmer wants over $13 for a compression fitting for probes. It is nearly identical to an electrical cord grip but is made of nylon rather than CPVC or PVC.

I live in a city of about 100,000 and we have at least four electrical supply houses. I would think electrical supply houses could be found in nearly every city in most states.

[coralfragger101]

So I managed to do this yesterday with one problem.

My tap went crooked while I was cutting the threads. I was too far into it to change it so I had no choice but to keep cutting.

Is there a trick to keeping the tap straight while you cut threads? (for my next project - whatever that may be).

Luckily, even though it is crooked, the JG fitting did screw in and works.

[coralfragger101]

Bump for response.

[dattack]

The cheapest way of keeping the tap straight is probably cut a piece of wood and drill a hole that barely fits the tap. The wood will go between the acrylic piece and the tap trying to keep it straight.

[dngspot]

I simply start the tap with a few threads, then look at the tap from four sides and make adjustments. Then I go a bit more then look again. After a couple of adjustments the tap will continue on the path you have made. That is how I did it on the calcium reactor above.

[Rysam]

i did the JG fitting last night. it works awesome.

[coralfragger101]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14377165#post14377165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dngspot
I simply start the tap with a few threads, then look at the tap from four sides and make adjustments. Then I go a bit more then look again. After a couple of adjustments the tap will continue on the path you have made. That is how I did it on the calcium reactor above.

That's the way I did it but once I got over half way I looked again and it was rooster eyed. At that point - it was too late. Like I said before, it's working and not leaking so all is OK. Just looks sort of stupid. I had to make a second one for a burp valve and it came out straight.

[dngspot]

That is a bummer but, it is what it is.