The No-Leak MLT bulkhead design

[day_trippr]

A step bit should work easily enough. It's what they're made to do, after all...

Cheers!

 

[eyedoctodd]

Thanks all for your help. I built my CPVC manifold today and ordered the bulkhead and fittings from bargainfittings.com. Once I have that pipe nipple I can find a piece of PVC to fit over it and know exactly what size hole to drill.. I'm going to go with the step bit. Excited to try it out on a big beer.

 

[snowman_fs]

I just installed a modified version of this bulkhead fitting, (thanks Bobby M). I really liked the idea of the PVC ring to stabilize O-ring; but once I got the original Rubbermaid cooler valve out I realized how thin and non-parallel the spigot area is. I also didn't want to drill out the outer shell if I didn't have to.

My final fit-up put a second O-ring inside the cooler wall space, sandwiched between both the inner and outer ply's of the plastic. I used dash 315 O-rings that are a little thicker than the 314 rings. Because the O-rings are flexible I was able to persuade it into place with some gentle pushing and prying without over-sizing the outer hole.

I was also able to get away with only a single washer inside and out, possibly because of the extra thickness with the O-ring(s). But I did have to grind the OD profile of the outer washer to fit the outer spigot area. The molded orange plastic recess was interfering with it sitting flat.

I tested both boiling water and ice water for 24+ hours and have no leaks. Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[Bobby_M]

The other trick, as an alternative to inserting a support ring, is to carve out some of the insulation and then pack the recessed area with two part epoxy putty.

 

[frettfreak]

Old thread but Bobby.. do you happen to have the pic still? Its not showing anymore

 

[nfbrewer]

Old thread but Bobby.. do you happen to have the pic still? Its not showing anymore

I found it archived elsewhere and re-uploaded it.

 

[jimmypop13]

Resurrecting this thread because I need some advice for my new setup. I just got a Coleman 52 quart cooler and a ball valve cooler kit from bargain fittings http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=47&product_id=251

The nipple is threaded all the way and I got an extra silicone washer and locknut. I think I will get a cpvc spacer as well. Would the best way to seal this from the inside of the cooler to outside be locknut>silicone washer>inside wall>silicone washer>lock nut>cpvc to outside wall>washer>ball valve? I should I include the stock rubber gasket in there at all since it is stepped and goes inside the inside wall?
The way I'm thinking about trying it first is to reuse the stock gasket instead of a silicone one on the inside of the cooler since Coleman made it and from the factory it doesn't leak. The I'll slightly widen a silicone gasket to fit over the stock gasket part that goes inside the wall and use it on the outside of the inner wall and a cpvc spacer against it to apply pressure.
Thanks a lot for any help and insight

 

[wilserbrewer]

The critical elements to a bulkhead of this type is an interior gasket, AND wrapping the threads of the nipple with Teflon tape to prevent leaks at the threading b/w the nipple and the lock nut.

An exterior gasket should not be needed.