|
Model: Bulkhead - $12 +
 A weldless bulkhead is used to provide a liquid-tight port into your brewing vessels. This is an alternative to having a coupling or spud welded or soldered in. For the majority of situations, this kit requires the addition of a ball valve to complete the installation so select your desired bulkhead options and then visit the ball valve section here.
Our bulkheads use thick flat silicone washers instead of orings. They are more expensive but are a much less likely to slip out from under the locknut.
Install Requirements:
- Drill a clean 13/16" or 7/8" diameter hole in your pot taking care to avoid any wall contours that may prevent the silicone gasket from sitting flat on the inside wall of the vessel. Wrap several turns of teflon tape on the exposed threads, insert through the hole from the inside, slide the metal shimming washer(s) on, then thread a ball valve on. In some cases the metal shim washer will need to be left off to get the ball valve threads to seal onto the nipple unless a few extra layers of teflon tape takes care of it. In the end, you want the threads to tighten at the same time that some pressure is applied to the interior sealing washer. If this thru-port on your vessel does not require a ball valve, you may thread any female 1/2" NPT fitting on to the outside in its place (coupling, elbow, type A camlock, etc). However, this kit does not include any of those but may be selected elsewhere on this site.
Options:
- 1. The first option is standard and is shown on the right. You get exactly what is pictured, no more no less. The interior of the vessel sees 1/2" NPT female threads due to the coupling. A picture of the interior of a cooler install is shown below. In a converted keg, this option will accept one of the compression fitting/SS diptube options, however, see option 4 here for an alternative.
- 2. is to replace the coupling with a 1/2" NPT elbow. In the case of a flat bottom pot, this would reach down near the bottom of the pot to drain more liquid than the standard option without requiring additional expense of a diptube.
- 3. replaces the inside coupling with a 1/2" Street elbow which extends a bit further off to the side/bottom than the regular elbow. This can aso be used to turn the flow off to the side in a whirlpool recirculation port. In other words, the smooth interior of the male side of the street elbow is more of a nozzle than the female threads of option 2.
 4. replaces the coupling on the inside with a 316SS compression fitting and also includes a 5/8" OD, high flow SS dip tube as shown in the picture. This assembly is similar to the 5/8" OD SS Diptube option that we offer on a standalone basis but the compression fitting is integrated into the bulkhead which provides for a more compact assembly. The standalone option would thread into the coupling in the standard bulkhead making for a slightly bulkier system. The total extension into the keg from the wall is 7.5" and the "drop" is about 3.5" from the bulkhead centerline. If you have a situation that requires a custom length, please contact us before ordering. THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK. SELECT OPTION 1 and then add compression fitting/SS diptube assembly.
Options (part two):
This is simple. Select your wall thickness.
- A: Converted kegs, stainless pots, and cheaper aluminum pots are typically under 1/8" (3mm) and can use a "close" nipping as part of the bulkhead design.
- B: Thicker aluminum (premium) pots and 10 gallon beverage coolers are sometimes up to 1/4" or 7mm thick and will require a 1.5" nipple in the bulkhead.
- ?? If you have a situation where the wall thickness is larger than 1/4", please contact us. We have nipples up to 3" long but there are some other install considerations when wall thickness is substantial.
All options above can technically be added to the cart but keep in mind that option 4 (diptube) is not practical with option B (thick pot or cooler).
|
