Help - 10 gallon corny with odd fittings and hardware

[EvilFrog]

I just bought a 10 gallon corny from a guy on craigslist for $25. Here is the problem. The fittings and dip tube are like nothing I have seen before on a corny. First, there are no quick disconnect posts on the gas or liquid side, just 1/2" pipe thread ports. Secondly, there is a strange filter at the end of the 1/2" diameter dip tube. I knew these two things going into the deal but I figured I could re-purpose it as a dispensing keg (first choice). If that did not work out I could always use it as a primary fermenter for up to 7.5 gallons, some kind of lauter grant or a cartoonishly oversized hopback.

I am posting this because I am looking for guidance on converting it to use as a dispensing keg.

Has anyone ever seen something like this. If so, have you successfully converted it? How? What adapters?

My biggest challenge is not knowing what combination of fittings will get me from the 1/2" female pipe thread to the ball lock posts while seating the poppets and standard size dip tube correctly. Do you think it is practical to do this (short of having someone weld the appropriate hardware on)?

Here are some pictures if it helps.

1/2" port

Strange filter thingy

[Bugeater]

It sounds like what you need is an adapter (male both ends) that will screw into the 1/2" threads in the keg but has a 1/4" male flare on the other end. From there you can screw on one of these. http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/a ... 32-18.html

This will allow you to screw on some standard ball lock fittings.

Wayne

[Henning1966]

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/1-4-mfl-to-1-2-npt.html

try that along with what bugeater posted should work

[EvilFrog]

Perfect, these two adapters certainly look like they should do the trick.

Thanks guys!

[EvilFrog]

The guy I bought this from had no idea who the original owner of the keg was or what they might have used it for. Does the strange looking filter at the end of the dip tube look familiar to anyone? If so, what do you suppose was in this thing?

I guess what I am asking is should I be concerned that it was used for a purpose that would make it dangerous to serve beer out of if properly cleaned and sanitized. For instance, if this thing was used to make nerve gas, meth or Bud Light I would scrap the whole conversion idea right now.

[EvilFrog]

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/1-4-mfl-to-1-2-npt.html

try that along with what bugeater posted should work

After following your link I, found that there are actually two options here to consider. If anyone is actually in this situation in the future here is the other option:
This post mount with male 1/4" pipe thread: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/cornelius-plug-adapter-1-4-mpt.html
Then I can order a 1/2" to 1/4" stainless reducer bushing to attach it to the keg.

I will go with whichever combination of adapters will be the shortest distance overall from keg to post. It may end up being about the same either way.

Thanks again.

[mookie1010]

That doesn't look to me to have been used in food service. I myself would worry.

[11amas]

I saw some of those at a brewshop used in the past for a brew on premise operation but have no clue what that filter thing was for...dairy maybe? Hopefully not to dispense bug poison...