I was thinking of buying a Foster dead head plug, but got to thinking I have some fill probes as well. It would be easy to make a dead head receptacle for a fill probe. I measured the probe and it was 0.312" in diameter that is close enough to 5/16" that just drilling a 5/16" hole into some metal may work. As long as the wall thickness won't yield, worst case the surface finish from drilling is too poor so it leaks.
DIY dead head plug
- Thread starter BlackICE
- Start date
Make sure the 5/16 hole goes all the way through or you will have a projectile. You will also kill the probe orings without proper finisb (nice reamed finish minimum).
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Yes, a projectile if the o-ring nearest the end leaks! o-rings aren't too expensive and I'm not planning on using it that often. Maybe drill 5/16 and use a flap wheel with 1200 grit paper. Might be too oversize though, then would have to drill a smaller starting hole, or use a boring bar on a lathe make a .310 hole to clean up with abrasive paper. But that's too much work compare to just buying one.
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If it is like a typical quick connect fill probe with a 1 way valve , try removing the spring and reassembling.
Making sure to seat the brass plug.
Allen
Making sure to seat the brass plug.
Allen
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If you are going as far as using a Lathe to bore out the fill adapter...
Why not just Turn down a length of Steel Hex stock.... Make your own....
I have
Why not just Turn down a length of Steel Hex stock.... Make your own....
I have
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I use a deadhead plug to check the remaining pressure in my fill tank. I don’t have a gauge showing me the remaining pressure so I plug the deadhead into the end of the fill whip and open the valve on the bottle. My fill gauge will then show me the pressure in the bottle.
Kenny
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I just made one using a sharp machinist drill bit and drilling with a lathe. I was only taking off 0.004" per rev of the bit. The surface finish is pretty decent. I added a fillet on the opening hole. I think anybody with a decent drill bit and a drill press and some bar stock and easily make one of these. Aluminum is easiest to drill so that's what I used and had on hand. With the wall thickness of about 3/8 of an inch I think is plenty strong.
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