Coleman Extreme 50qt Wheeled Cooler

[rowan57]

I have this cooler and am in the process of making it a mash tun. When I got it I couldn't find many people using it so I thought I would post up my build in case it's useful to anyone.

Cooler : http://www.towsure.com/product/Coleman_Xtreme_50_Quart_Cooler_Box

This cooler has a manifold at the back between the wheels.

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The angle makes it a bit awkward but it will work.

Below is my parts photo:

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All fittings in 1/2", washers 1" (all BSP fittings).

Brass locknut.
Kevlar washer.
3" Parallel Running Nipple.
Original white rubber gasket from cooler.
3-4 Washers.
Brass lock nut.
45 degree elbow.
1" Parallel Running Nipple.
Tap
Hose fitting.

The 1/2" nipple fits snugly through the original rubber gasket from the cooler. It is slightly smaller than the hole, but I will pack any space with sealant (will not come into contact with the wort so no need to be food safe).

I did a dry fit just now and leak tested and it was fine. I will post a finished picture when assembled properly.

 

[rowan57]

I messed around with this for a long time last night and couldn't quite get to where I was happy with it. I did change out a couple of things, so I am now using a 2" nipple rather than 3" and rather than used the stock rubber gasket I made a jacket for the nipple from silicone hose. I need a new 45 degree elbow, once I have that I should be finished. I'm really no expert at this stuff so it is probably taking me 3x longer to do, but I want the correct end result.

 

[rowan57]

I made the manifold and tested it this morning, I am left with 900ml of liquid after draining, this is primarily because of the thickness of the fittings meaning the pipe sits a couple of millimetres of the bottom of the cooler. Moving to copper and compression fittings may reduce this to around 500ml if I had to guess but I am happy for now. Drilling the fittings as you see in the pictures has not helped with this but also does not hurt anything.

Photos:

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[ruger988]

Are those shark bite fittings? $$!! Standard slip X slip fittings would have been much cheaper and thinner.

 

[rowan57]

They are called Speedfit but yes probably similar to shark bite. My challenge was that I cannot find CPVC pipe or fittings that are even remotely affordable. The pipe I used is PEX and all UK brands that I could find use this style of fitting. I didn't want to use PVC which is the other alternative and I'm not real confident with Copper. I think now I have had a go at this, I could probably do Copper but I'm happy with the end result for now I think.