1 Gallon RTIC Hydration System
- Thread starter Dr. Tiki
- Start date
My dilemma was how to put two of the RTIC 1 gallon systems on a gold wing when we ride 2 up all the time. Solution was to build a support system. Here is my solution:
(I copied some of the things others did for covering the tubing and sealing the ends. ) Thank you all for different ideas that helped inspire my set up.
The support is a 3/4" conduit bent to fit, with a tab welded on the ends to mount to a crash bar clamp, another support that ties into the fuel cell support, and a bracket that is drilled and tapped into the antenna mounts and the top of the Yeti jug holder. Very solid set up. Done a couple of 600 mile test rides the last couple of weekends. Works very well.
The quick disconnects are 1/8" NFPT double check hydraulic hose fittings (brass with chrome finish) then use 1/8" NFPT brass fuel line 90 degree elbow on top and straight inside. No pipe thread dope used since we are drinking through these. Brass is used in lots of water application, like the fittings for ice makers and water connections in refrigerators.
On the inside of the cap, I put a silicon washer under the stainless steel washer and then screwed in the straight brass fuel line barb connection with 1/4" plastic tubing with stainless steel spring clamp to hole in place.
For venting, I close the top pour cap and then open 1/4 turn, vents just fine. Have not had any issues with ice preventing the hose from reaching the bottom. We just fill about 3/4 with ice and then put the water in. The ice melting to cool the water allows the hose to easily slide into the bottom.
(I copied some of the things others did for covering the tubing and sealing the ends. ) Thank you all for different ideas that helped inspire my set up.
The support is a 3/4" conduit bent to fit, with a tab welded on the ends to mount to a crash bar clamp, another support that ties into the fuel cell support, and a bracket that is drilled and tapped into the antenna mounts and the top of the Yeti jug holder. Very solid set up. Done a couple of 600 mile test rides the last couple of weekends. Works very well.
The quick disconnects are 1/8" NFPT double check hydraulic hose fittings (brass with chrome finish) then use 1/8" NFPT brass fuel line 90 degree elbow on top and straight inside. No pipe thread dope used since we are drinking through these. Brass is used in lots of water application, like the fittings for ice makers and water connections in refrigerators.
On the inside of the cap, I put a silicon washer under the stainless steel washer and then screwed in the straight brass fuel line barb connection with 1/4" plastic tubing with stainless steel spring clamp to hole in place.
For venting, I close the top pour cap and then open 1/4 turn, vents just fine. Have not had any issues with ice preventing the hose from reaching the bottom. We just fill about 3/4 with ice and then put the water in. The ice melting to cool the water allows the hose to easily slide into the bottom.
I was asked how I did the quick disconnect and what parts I have used. I did an update to this because the quick disconnect I was using was corroding. I switched to a brass set up.
These are the pieces I ordered:
Bite valve
Brass male/female coupler set $18.78
Silicone washers food grade assorted set from Amazon (need the 1/2" size)
Copper washer assortment. Need the (14 mm size)
1/4" NPT male x 1/4" barb low lead brass fitting (more expensive than run of the mill brass) You can also get SS if you prefer at Grainger too.
1/4" NPT male c 1/4" barb 90 degree elbow low lead brass
I used a 1/2" unibit to drill the hole in the RTIC lid. It is slightly smaller than the 1/4" NPT brass male end, but you can use a socket and let the threads of the brass fitting cut threads into the plastic easily.
I assemble it in this order:
Here is with the fitting threaded through the lid
tighten until the silicone washer starts to push out from under copper washer.
Coupler installed:
Any 1/4" tubing will work. Mine fits tight enough that no clamps are needed. Recommend cutting an angle on the end of the tubing that is free in the water so the ice does not get push up against it and seal it off. You can cover the tubing with wire loom protector as I did and then sealed the ends with 1/2 shrink tube with epoxy inside it. I just used a 1/4" food grade plastic tubing. You can buy rolls of it on Amazon for $5-10 depending on the length you get.
The mounting of the quick disconnect is solid, does not depend on any glues. Is completely mechanically sealed. I close the cap fully then open about 1/2 to 1 full turn to break the seal so water will flow when sucking on the bite valve. I do blow the water back into the jug after drinking.