Looking for a fitting that screws onto winter plugs with blow-thru valve

[Notauser]

When I close my pool I use these winter plugs with the blow-thru valve in them. I am looking for an adapter, fitting, hose (ect.) that I can screw onto to top of the threaded stem with a seal so I can use these plugs while trying to find a leak in the plumbing. The external threads on the stem are 5/16"-18, which is an odd size and the only thing I can find that use that size are o-ring pilot threads, and I can't find much out there that size. Does anyone have any ideas? I've contacted the supplier and they had no clue. Thanks.

 

[ajw22]

Can you explain more what you are trying to connect to the plugs and why?

 

[Newdude]

I'd start from scratch and build my own frankenplug. The couple of bucks spent would be worth the headache not trying to adapt someone else's product to how I needed.

 

[Notauser]

I have compressed air, a shut off valve, and a pressure gauge (in that order) that I want to connect to these plugs. That way, while I still have all the winter plugs in the plumbing, I can apply pressure to each pipe and see if it holds pressure. I did the bucket leak test last year and it showed a small leak, plus my calcium hardness and CYA dropped over the summer, but over the winter with everything shut off and plugged up the vessel holds water, so it seems like its a leak in the plumbing somewhere.

I wouldn't think the supplier made these threaded sections specifically, so they are probably used somewhere else in the world, and it would be cheaper and faster to find what that is for and just buy something. But I have thought about just calling the local CNC shop to make me a fitting that will screw onto the top of these plugs and adapt to something easier to connect to, like NPT.

 

[ajw22]

Plugs made for the job...

Open Plugs & Fittings

Check out the deals in Open Plugs & Fittings at Anderson Manufacturing Company, Inc.

www.leaktools.com

 

[Notauser]

I know, the supplier tried to sell me the hose that attaches to those plugs. I told them my plugs have a different thread on them compared to those plugs. They told me that can't be, then I showed them the listing on their webpage for my plugs.

 

[Newdude]

But I have thought about just calling the local CNC shop to make me a fitting that will screw onto the top of these plugs and adapt to something easier to connect to, like NPT.

Case and point. Machinists make top dollar and the $0.75 adapter will cost $275.75 to fabricate.

This also seems like a one off problem that won't be a yearly issue.

Are your returns threaded ?

 

[Notauser]

Only into the pool yes, and I have PVC fittings to thread into them with connections that I need. This contraption is for the lines between my pump pad and in-floor cleaner manifold, and the pump pad and spa.