Low clearance for under counter drip tray line

[TedE]

I'm finishing up framing out space for a built in kegerator in a small wet bar under construction. Ideally I would like to run a line from a surface mount drip tray directly to a dishwasher port in the sink drain that will sit in a cabinet next to the kegerator. Basically the drip line would run through the counter top from the drip tray, make a bend and run along the top of the kegerator, and I'd drill a hole in the sink cabinet so it could connect to the dishwasher port above the sink trap.

Here's the issue I haven't figured out: there will be, maximum, 2.25" of clearance between the bottom of the counter and the top of the kegerator. Has anybody ever dealt with this, and how did you connect the drain port on the tray to the line? Most of the standard nipples I've seen would be way too long. Is there such a thing as a "zero clearance" attachment for a flexible drain line directly to the tray drain? The counter top will be 1.5" thick, so my initial thought was to connect a line to the drain port that way and just let the line bend after it runs through the counter; I don't think a 1/2" line would risk getting kinked at that radius, but I also haven't tested that out yet The other option is to run a short nipple (1" or 1.5") to a 90 deg. elbow. I just haven't been able to source the parts that would allow that. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[b-boy]

I have the same situation. I'm anxious to see what everyone says...

 

[IslandLizard]

How about a 90° drain nipple right where the drain hole is? Probably needs a custom weld/spur or weldless connection.

 

[day_trippr]

What style of drain does this tray have? Some have a copper tube stub, some have a threaded brass male stub, some have a welded SS bushing with 1/2" straight pipe threading.

In any case, if you can fit it, 1/2" braided Tygon tubing will make the turn with no problem...

Cheers!

 

[TedE]

What style of drain does this tray have? Some have a copper tube stub, some have a threaded brass male stub, some have a welded SS bushing with 1/2" straight pipe threading.

In any case, if you can fit it, 1/2" braided Tygon tubing will make the turn with no problem...

Cheers!

I haven't bought the drip tray yet because I haven't figured this out. Most of the ones I've looked at have the steel bushing to accept threaded male nipples, but something with a threaded male stub would probably work as long as it isn't too long. I think I could just get a compression fitting for tubing that would thread right onto that . Anybody have a link to one? Thanks!

 

[MaryB]

If it is 1/2 inch you can get a threaded 90 that is barbed other end. Menards carries it and I am sure it can be found online. Would have to measure one to see how deep it is.

 

[TedE]

I got side-tracked by other projects involved in this basement remodel, but was finally able to get this working. I ended up with a surface mount tray with a protruding threaded drain port that accepts a male nipple. After drilling a hole in the counter the same size as the drain port I used a Forstner bit to drill a slightly wider depression (about 1/2" deep) on the underside. When the tray was installed this allowed the washer and retaining nut to recess into the bottom of the counter which gave me plenty of room (ha!) to work with. After that is was easy to find a brass 90 elbow and a barb fitting (I couldn't find a barbed 90 in the right size, but it didn't matter). To get the correct nipple length I assembled everything from the bottom up, thread the nipple up through the drain port and made a cut off mark where it protruded through the tray. I ended up with about 3/4" of clearance above the kegerator top which made sliding it in less nerve wracking. Pictures attached.