Hand Pull Beer Engine

[peebee]

Anyone?

I think you mean sparklers - the hole size? 0.6mm is common, you can get 1.0mm and another (?) size. I won't use them, they trash the types of beer I make (they need testing first with any new beer you use them on)..

 

[Dads_Ale]

I think the sparklers are colour coded. I have a green one and a red one (I don’t use them though). The red has much smaller holes and is marked Tetley, can’t see any hole sizes though.

This is the effect the have on the look of the poured beer

 

[LeeH]

So which is which? I presume the smaller holes is the one on the left?

 

[Dads_Ale]

So which is which? I presume the smaller holes is the one on the left?

Yes. Should have put that LoL

 

[DixeySJ]

For information, the OD of my Pint365 spout is approx 15mm. It was supplied with sparklers, but I don't use them. Here is a picture of my Yorkshire Bitter (from Greg Hughes recipe) as dispensed using low pressure CO2 replacement via 'propane' regulator, as described by @peebee

 

[Rmr9]

Quick question for those of you using a cask breather: what PSI do you set your primary CO2 regulator to? I lost almost an entire tank of CO2 on one pin cask a few months back! Do those of you who use them turn the CO2 off each night? Thanks!

 

[CD]

Quick question for those of you using a cask breather: what PSI do you set your primary CO2 regulator to? I lost almost an entire tank of CO2 on one pin cask a few months back! Do those of you who use them turn the CO2 off each night? Thanks!

I used a cask breather at one time, and if I remember correctly set the regulator as low as it would go – about 5 psi. I also had a gas bottle empty itself unexpectedly, and tracked it down to a leak in the cask breather. I seem to remember immersing the whole thing in our pond and looking for bubbles.

I now obtain the same effect with a lot less hassle by using a foil balloon as a CO2 reservoir. You can read how this works in a thread I started called ‘Draught Beer’.

 

[DixeySJ]

Quick question for those of you using a cask breather: what PSI do you set your primary CO2 regulator to? I lost almost an entire tank of CO2 on one pin cask a few months back! Do those of you who use them turn the CO2 off each night? Thanks!

As per @Coffin Dodger I set my regulator at the lowest it goes without being off! I tend to turn the gas bottle off when I am not using it in case of leaks, although as far as I can see there is little or no seepage. (I don't think my set up counts as a cask breather - I have the low pressure 'propane' type regulator in the circuit - but I guess the principle is the same).

 

[peebee]

A "breather" is a regulator (a secondary regulator). It should have a min/max input rating for it. And as @Coffin Dodger said, check you haven't got an input leak, or are exceeding the breather's input rating, or you will lose your gas.

Don't like breathers anyway!

 

[Rmr9]

Thanks for the responses I appreciated it! This kinda info is hard to find this side of the pond.

I think I’ll go with Dixey’s shut off the gas in between usages. CD, I’ll check mine for a leakage point as well. I noticed one other weird thing: I set my regulator to about 5PSI, shut the bottle off, hooked up the breather then turned the bottle on. The PSI jumped from 5 to about 30 immediately which seems strange. Any thoughts on this? I’m wondering if it’s safe and if that could be part of my leak problem.

 

[peebee]

I think I’ll go with Dixey’s shut off the gas in between usages.

A good move! Mine is on a timer and will switch off automatically (solenoid) least I forget.

The PSI jumped from 5 to about 30 immediately which seems strange

Those common bottle regulators (single stage, blah, blah) haven't much hope of holding to 5PSI, ... 10PSI even. The breather should cope with 30PSI (2BAR) input though?

 

[drdaparker]

Hello PeeBee,
I came across your posts from a few years ago. and wondered if you could help a newbie. I've been trying to use a corny connected to primary regulator for a hand-pull system. As you have mentioned before, it's hard to regulate to low pressures and I ended up dumping a full sodastream cylinder of CO2. I'm going to go for the secondary regulator you have recommended, but I find the connections confusing. I have JG push fittings on my ball-lock disconnect and output from my primary regulator, connected via a 3/8" gasline. Have you had any experience with using your regulator with such a system? Any simple fittings you would suggest from getting to/from the BSP females on the regulator to 3/8" gasline and the JG push-fittings? I don't have any experience with soldering etc, so was looking for a JG alternative. Thank you

From the photo it looks like you have just the one "single stage" regulator attached to your Sodastream cylinder? It is impossible to make such a setup hold to a satisfactory pressure for a handpump. You might get low PSIs set for a session, but the pressure will drift way off for the next session. You also have an Angram pump which tend to groan and creak when subjected to even 5PSI (I think it is the pump-cylinder's "flapper" valves vibrating).

A "dual stage" regulator might help but they are very expensive (£70 or so).

I use secondary regulators, setting the single-stage regulator (now the "primary" regulator) to 3-5BAR (40-75PSI) and one of these (click the image for a purchase link):
View attachment 34829
You'll need adapters to connect the 1/4" BSP and 3/8" BSP ports to your gas line (easy).

If you don't think 150mbar (2PSI) is enough (it is more than enough!) you can get these >20-300mbar version< which will go up to 4PSI.

Bee

 

[DixeySJ]

Hello PeeBee,
I came across your posts from a few years ago. and wondered if you could help a newbie. I've been trying to use a corny connected to primary regulator for a hand-pull system. As you have mentioned before, it's hard to regulate to low pressures and I ended up dumping a full sodastream cylinder of CO2. I'm going to go for the secondary regulator you have recommended, but I find the connections confusing. I have JG push fittings on my ball-lock disconnect and output from my primary regulator, connected via a 3/8" gasline. Have you had any experience with using your regulator with such a system? Any simple fittings you would suggest from getting to/from the BSP females on the regulator to 3/8" gasline and the JG push-fittings? I don't have any experience with soldering etc, so was looking for a JG alternative. Thank you

Bee

I can confirm that PeeBee's set up as described (with the low pressure 'propane' regulator) works brilliantly!

 

[drdaparker]

I can confirm that PeeBee's set up as described (with the low pressure 'propane' regulator) works brilliantly!

Hi Dixey, I am trying to capture that set-up. I am just a little confused with the various connections. What have you used connected to the BSP threads?

 

[DixeySJ]

Hi Dixey, I am trying to capture that set-up. I am just a little confused with the various connections. What have you used connected to the BSP threads?

Here's a picture of the connectors. You'll just need to get the push in connectors with the male thread of the size that matches the regulator you get. I think there were a couple of choice of reg, and one was easier to match up - you can see the model I've got in the picture. Hope that helps ... cheers, Simon.

 

[drdaparker]

Here's a picture of the connectors. You'll just need to get the push in connectors with the male thread of the size that matches the regulator you get. I think there were a couple of choice of reg, and one was easier to match up - you can see the model I've got in the picture. Hope that helps ... cheers, Simon.

Thanks Simon, That's a good photo. I've ordered the Clesse LPG regulator that PeeBee suggested and I think I've found some 1/4" BSPT and 3/8" BSPT to 10mm JG connectors on fleabay. I'll post a photo of the connected system once I get it together. Thanks again

 

[peebee]

Flippin' heck! You all seem sorted here. I was preparing some piccies but I'm a bit behind what's already cluttering on. If I get a chance to catch up, I'll get some piccies posted.

 

[drdaparker]

Flippin' heck! You all seem sorted here. I was preparing some piccies but I'm a bit behind what's already cluttering on. If I get a chance to catch up, I'll get some piccies posted.

Gents, I'd be grateful for thoughts or comments (e.g. ideal regulator settings) on this set-up for my cornie with a hand pull. Primary regulator connected to the (Clesse) secondary reg. John Guest connections throughout. My aim is a "nearly" Real-Ale style beer as per PeeBee's treatise. JG to BSPT fittings found relatively cheap on Fleabay. Thanks for the pointers. It's a fun hobby