My favorite picture for first...
Test fitting the original seal (removed from the bottom of the lid)
The original lid, minus the bits that keep the foam in. I completely disassembled the lid, including disconnecting all the wiring. I may put it back in later.
I attached the collar to the lid with bolts by putting threaded inserts in the collar with epoxy. Completely invisible method to attach the top. I put 2 on each side (none on the front/back). I attached the front with L brackets that were screwed to the collar, but just hooked under the sheet metal of the lid.
Some carefully cut 1" foam + clear silicon caulk.
I couldn't find proper sized flat stock aluminum so I used steel tie plates inside and outside plus a spacer. Should keep the hinge from ever damaging the collar.
Just need to plumb everything in.
Ready to serve....
For the finishing touches i'm going to plumb everything in, hang the CO2 tank outside and put a drip tray on the front. This was a fun build, although I'm sure I was way to finicky in getting everything just right.
Some tips for the next person to come along:
- Reusing the original seal worked really well. I built the collar to match the size exactly.
- ...and if you're reusing the seal, you can take the lid apart or not. Mine would have dropped right back in, but I chose not to
- Inserts work well to hold the lid on, but are quite a pain to install (especially when you drill too large of a hole)
- L brackets seem to work as well by reversing the bracket so it pinches the lid sheetmetal between the L bracket and the collar. One screw attaches the L bracket to the collar.
- The original seal was attached to the lid with plastic rivets. The plastic shield on the lid doubled as a guide for the 40 holes I pre-drilled to reattach the seal to the collar.
- Get everything figured out before you line it with foam and caulk it ... trust me
Test fitting the original seal (removed from the bottom of the lid)
The original lid, minus the bits that keep the foam in. I completely disassembled the lid, including disconnecting all the wiring. I may put it back in later.
I attached the collar to the lid with bolts by putting threaded inserts in the collar with epoxy. Completely invisible method to attach the top. I put 2 on each side (none on the front/back). I attached the front with L brackets that were screwed to the collar, but just hooked under the sheet metal of the lid.
Some carefully cut 1" foam + clear silicon caulk.
I couldn't find proper sized flat stock aluminum so I used steel tie plates inside and outside plus a spacer. Should keep the hinge from ever damaging the collar.
Just need to plumb everything in.
Ready to serve....
For the finishing touches i'm going to plumb everything in, hang the CO2 tank outside and put a drip tray on the front. This was a fun build, although I'm sure I was way to finicky in getting everything just right.
Some tips for the next person to come along:
- Reusing the original seal worked really well. I built the collar to match the size exactly.
- ...and if you're reusing the seal, you can take the lid apart or not. Mine would have dropped right back in, but I chose not to
- Inserts work well to hold the lid on, but are quite a pain to install (especially when you drill too large of a hole)
- L brackets seem to work as well by reversing the bracket so it pinches the lid sheetmetal between the L bracket and the collar. One screw attaches the L bracket to the collar.
- The original seal was attached to the lid with plastic rivets. The plastic shield on the lid doubled as a guide for the 40 holes I pre-drilled to reattach the seal to the collar.
- Get everything figured out before you line it with foam and caulk it ... trust me