Islandboy85
Well-Known Member
I was going to buy a bulkhead for my cooler I'm using for my HLT, but the hole in the cooler is like 3/4in. It's a Coleman cooler. Has anyone else had to build a larger bulkhead?
Bulkhead problem with my cooler
- Thread starter Islandboy85
- Start date
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I'm not sure why a 3/4" hole would be a problem. I drilled a 7/8" hole when I installed mine using a 1/2" SS pipe nipple. The 1/2" nipple is very close to the 7/8" diameter and makes for a very snug fit. What specifically is the problem?
mullenite
Well-Known Member
I have 2 and 5 gallon Coleman Beverage Coolers and have 3/4" bulkheads on both of them.
I used a 3/4" close nipple, 3/4" ball valve and used the screw on part from my stainless braid along with a huge silicone washer I found to secure it. A metal washer to fit over the 3/4" nipple is near impossible to find but along with a silicone o-ring and a real locknut it would be a better option. (All of these things are available from McMaster.) I'm going to be making these changes soon.
I used a 3/4" close nipple, 3/4" ball valve and used the screw on part from my stainless braid along with a huge silicone washer I found to secure it. A metal washer to fit over the 3/4" nipple is near impossible to find but along with a silicone o-ring and a real locknut it would be a better option. (All of these things are available from McMaster.) I'm going to be making these changes soon.
HBT user Pickles is selling a heavy-duty bulkhead kit for $12 (he found a bunch of surplus ones- pretty much the same thing McMaster charges $90 for)- I've bought a few, and so have a bunch of other users. Your hole diameter should work just fine.
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Islandboy85
Well-Known Member
How do I go about finding him?
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Islandboy85
Well-Known Member
Got it. Thanks>
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Islandboy85
Well-Known Member
I just found a spare 1/2"mpt x 3/8" barb. I may just see if I can't make a bulkhead fitting with it and us an in-line valve to control it. The only downside to converting it is that it's harder to use when I go to the lake since my HLT is still my lake cooler.
mullenite
Well-Known Member
FWIW the holes on my Colemans are about 1 1/8". Remember that a 3/4" nipple has an OD of about 1". If you have the same ones I do make sure whatever washers you get are big enough to cover those holes.
