INWarner413
Well-Known Member
I'm looking to install a weldless drain valve on my aluminum HLT. Searched the site already, but came up empty. Anyone got a good parts list and installation procedure?
Weldless Drain Valve Install
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INWarner413
Well-Known Member
BTW, I'm aware of the various kits that are sold, but I'm looking to get the parts from Lowe's.
DustyTheBrewer
Well-Known Member
I just put mine together not too long ago. I'm at work and would be unable to get a parts list right now though. I kept it really simple and used very few parts.
I cut a hole in the keg to fit a 1/2" male to male coupler. I used a 1/2" ball valve and attached it to the protruding part of the coupler on the outside of the keg. On the inside, I made a gasket out of cork from a crafts store and fit it over the coupler followed by a 1/2" threaded washer. I screwed them both in tight making the washer squish against the cork and inner wall.
That's it. The cork does a great job sealing the system and it's food safe. I spent days looking for a high-temp food grade o-ring with no luck and then went with cork and couldnt be happier.
I cut a hole in the keg to fit a 1/2" male to male coupler. I used a 1/2" ball valve and attached it to the protruding part of the coupler on the outside of the keg. On the inside, I made a gasket out of cork from a crafts store and fit it over the coupler followed by a 1/2" threaded washer. I screwed them both in tight making the washer squish against the cork and inner wall.
That's it. The cork does a great job sealing the system and it's food safe. I spent days looking for a high-temp food grade o-ring with no luck and then went with cork and couldnt be happier.
J-Malone
Well-Known Member
Below is the pieces and detail of how to do a weldless bulkhead in a kettle (straight from bargainfittings.com). You can get everything you need from Lowes except the hi temp o rings. I suggest you get them from bargain fittings or mcmaster-carr (you have to buy bulk, but it is good to have extra around)...You will need to buy a 1/2" ball valve also
Basic bulkhead includes - 1/2" Stainless steel coupling, 1 stainless shim washer, 2 FDA high temp silicone o-rings (one is a spare), one 1/2" NPT close nipple, 1 stainless NPS straight thread locknut with o-ring groove.
Coupling is threaded inside to allow you to add a dip tube or strainer sold separately on this site.
Requires a 13/16" - 7/8" size hole to install. We sell step bits with the necessary 13/16" step on it. The hole will be slightly larger than 13/16 so a 7/8 step bit will allow you to drill it out just a bit bigger using the 7/8" step on the bit.
Basic bulkhead includes - 1/2" Stainless steel coupling, 1 stainless shim washer, 2 FDA high temp silicone o-rings (one is a spare), one 1/2" NPT close nipple, 1 stainless NPS straight thread locknut with o-ring groove.
Coupling is threaded inside to allow you to add a dip tube or strainer sold separately on this site.
Requires a 13/16" - 7/8" size hole to install. We sell step bits with the necessary 13/16" step on it. The hole will be slightly larger than 13/16 so a 7/8 step bit will allow you to drill it out just a bit bigger using the 7/8" step on the bit.
WELDLESS CONVERSION (FOR KEG)
Get parts from wwww.mcmaster.com
(the prices listed are somewhat dated, but the part numbers should be correct)
McMaster Part No. Description Cost
4464K214 Stainless full coupling, 1/2" pipe size, $3.42
4830K171 Stainless Steel 1/2" Close Nipple, Fully Threaded, $1.69
98126A797 Stainless Steel Shim(sold only as a pack of 10 @ $10.38) $1.04
9396K32 Silicone O-Ring (sold only as a pack of 50 @ $14.53) $0.29 (x2)
4429K124 1/2" Locknut, Brass (with groove for o-ring) $1.30
4190K22 1/2" Brass Ball Valve, Full Port $6.
Get parts from wwww.mcmaster.com
(the prices listed are somewhat dated, but the part numbers should be correct)
McMaster Part No. Description Cost
4464K214 Stainless full coupling, 1/2" pipe size, $3.42
4830K171 Stainless Steel 1/2" Close Nipple, Fully Threaded, $1.69
98126A797 Stainless Steel Shim(sold only as a pack of 10 @ $10.38) $1.04
9396K32 Silicone O-Ring (sold only as a pack of 50 @ $14.53) $0.29 (x2)
4429K124 1/2" Locknut, Brass (with groove for o-ring) $1.30
4190K22 1/2" Brass Ball Valve, Full Port $6.
INWarner413
Well-Known Member
Awesome, thanks for the posts y'all. Looks like the o-rings are the only tricky part to find. I'll play around some.
It looks like some items have changed prices, part numbers and quantities included..
Code:
Item Price Package Descriptiion
4464K214 [b]6.76[/b] Each Type 304 Stainless STL Threaded Pipe Fitting 1/2" Pipe Size, 1-1/16" OD, Cplg, 1000 PSI, 1-3/8" L
4830K171 [b]2.11[/b] Each Std-Wall Type 304/304L SS Thrd Pipe Nipple 1/2" Pipe X 1-1/8" Length, Fully Threaded
98126A797 [b]9.80 5 Pack[/b] 18-8 Stainless Steel Shim .090" Thick, 7/8" ID, 1-3/8" OD, packs of 5
9396K32 [b]7.55[/b] 50 Pack Silicone O-Ring AS568A Dash Number 211, packs of 50
4429K124 [b]2.55[/b] Each Low-Pressure Brass Threaded Pipe Fitting 1/2" Pipe Size, Locknut
[b]4190K41 7.32[/b] Each Hot-Water NSF-Certified Brass Ball Valve 1/2" NPT Female Connections
Bumping this thread just to say how awesome it is!
I just bought all of those components from McMaster-Carr for about $36. I forgot how amazing that site is. When I used to do more hardcore-engineering than I do now, we'd place an order from them at least once a week.
I just bought all of those components from McMaster-Carr for about $36. I forgot how amazing that site is. When I used to do more hardcore-engineering than I do now, we'd place an order from them at least once a week.
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