Help! I have gas problems :)

[smartdev]

Ok So im planning to build a small "Kegerator" that will make use of 5l mini kegs. However my current problem is gas. I am thinking of using those disposable 600g welding co2 cylinders but I do not know what kind of regulator I need? I don't think a "normal" "pub style" one will fit? Can anyone recommend one?

Thanks

 

[airymary]

This kind of regulator for disposable cylinders:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Expert-We...636?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a884fe57c

How do these connect to minikegs? My understanding (although I have none of these kegs) is that you prime them, then serve from the built-on tap, or get a tap for them which takes a small gas bulb. Never heard of them being connected to an external CO2 supply.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[smartdev]

Oh thanks just the ticket! although is there not one with a dial so the pressure can be monitored?

Well the top of the mini keg allows you to "tap it" with something like this:


http://www.candirect.de/Zapfvorrichtung-Profi-Kunststoff-schwarz-fuer-5-Liter-Partyfaesser

They also have the same thing here:

http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item3012.htm

though one thing im unsure about with these..can I use a regular keg gas inlet connector? both websites list different measurements and looking at mine the gas connector is bigger than the beer conenctor, is this normal? Well I guess Iw ill have to buy a conenctor and hope it fits, the BSP sizes listed make no sense to me as they do not add up to what my tap measure is saying lol

 

[beermaker]

for small gas cylinders, consider trying Midget Widget - easily available, comes in CO2 and 70/30 Nitro Mix and easy enough to connect up. I use full size pub bottles but always keep a couple of Midget Widgets in reserve for taking to parties and the like or just in case my big bottles run out at a crucial moment, like when I'm REALLY thirsty!

 

[airymary]

Hi

Cheers for the links - not seen those before (prob because I don't use minikegs).

Just search Ebay for 'disposable regulator' - you'll find nil, 1 and 2 gauge versions. The 2 gauge versions show flow rate, not psi, on the outlet gauge, so no good for setting pressure in the keg.

Can't see details in the pics, so can't tell if the 5/8 bsp gas connection in the LHB description is male or female, and can't read the German description! Best suggest is to give LHB a bell.

The tap won't connect to the disposable reg 'as is'. The regs come with a 4mm push-fit outlet for plastic tube. The outlet is female threaded - 1/4 bsp IIRC - so could be removed/replaced.

If you're after a small cylinder system to fit in the fridge, an alternative is a sodastream cylinder adaptor from CO2 Art with a standard regulator.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[smartdev]

for the cost of that I might give these guys a call:

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/index.php...g-trade-only2013-07-05-10-25-57-42-132-detail

The 1.5kg gas bottle dosent look too big, I just need to work out how to conenct to this keg connector I have brought, im hoping the john guest gas inlet connector I have ordered fits it. There is very little info on these things so I will have to do a writeup when I get it all working.

 

[airymary]

for small gas cylinders, consider trying Midget Widget - easily available, comes in CO2 and 70/30 Nitro Mix and easy enough to connect up. I use full size pub bottles but always keep a couple of Midget Widgets in reserve for taking to parties and the like or just in case my big bottles run out at a crucial moment, like when I'm REALLY thirsty!

I have MW for portability, but refills are hard to obtain, and far too expensive if you have no local supply. Delivery charges for the empty, then for the full exchange cylinder (if the supplier can find a carrier who accepts compressed gas cylinders - most don't) makes the tiny MW refills more expensive than my full size pub cylinder refills. Not good value, IMHO.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[smartdev]

Hi

Cheers for the links - not seen those before (prob because I don't use minikegs).

Just search Ebay for 'disposable regulator' - you'll find nil, 1 and 2 gauge versions. The 2 gauge versions show flow rate, not psi, on the outlet gauge, so no good for setting pressure in the keg.

Can't see details in the pics, so can't tell if the 5/8 bsp gas connection in the LHB description is male or female, and can't read the German description! Best suggest is to give LHB a bell.

The tap won't connect to the disposable reg 'as is'. The regs come with a 4mm push-fit outlet for plastic tube. The outlet is female threaded - 1/4 bsp IIRC - so could be removed/replaced.

If you're after a small cylinder system to fit in the fridge, an alternative is a sodastream cylinder adaptor from CO2 Art with a standard regulator.

Cheers,
Chris

Male I belive the thread is on the outside

 

[smartdev]

The beer line connector:

The Co2 Connector:

 

[beermaker]

I have MW for portability, but refills are hard to obtain, and far too expensive if you have no local supply. Delivery charges for the empty, then for the full exchange cylinder (if the supplier can find a carrier who accepts compressed gas cylinders - most don't) makes the tiny MW refills more expensive than my full size pub cylinder refills. Not good value, IMHO.

Cheers,
Chris

To be honest, I've never considered it that way Chris. I only live 15 mins drive from the Hop and Grape and they've always stocked them so never had to think about the mail order aspect if the local HB shop doesn't stock.

Cheers
Phil

 

[smartdev]

Well, ive gone and ordered a small co2 cylinder for delivery tomorrow. Im having it delivered to my office so I hope no one kicks off about it lol!

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/index.php...g-trade-only2013-07-05-10-25-57-42-132-detail

 

[airymary]

To be honest, I've never considered it that way Chris. I only live 15 mins drive from the Hop and Grape and they've always stocked them so never had to think about the mail order aspect if the local HB shop doesn't stock.

Cheers
Phil

It's ok for sum! :) I have a choice of 2, both about 45 mins away, or 2 hours on a bad traffic day (which is often!). I have to get virtually everything mail order, except for a very few oddments from the local Wilkos :-(

Smartdev
The tap's gas and beer connectors can be connected with JG fittings:

http://www.johnguest.com/Home/appli...s/FEMALE-ADAPTOR---BSP-Thread---Flat-End.aspx

There's 5/8 bsp with either 5/16 or 3/8 tube sizes -obviously depending on the size of your external tap's connector for beer out.

CO2 is trickier. There seems to be few fittings available in the 5/8 size, so your stuck with that 3/8 or 5/16 tube size on your keg inlet, and a 4mm outlet from the reg. There's no neat solution - you could try a 1/4 bsp socket, such as:

http://aircat.fluidfittingsshop.com/Products/0033000200050001/FFA04%2F04

With one of these one end:

http://aircat.fluidfittingsshop.com/Products/0033000a00080001/PI011202S

and one of these the other end:

http://aircat.fluidfittingsshop.com/Products/0033000a00070002/PM010402E

and appropriate sized tube.

Like I said, not neat - messy, even! You'll need washers and ptfe tape to get that socket gas-tight. There's other approaches, no doubt, but they'll all involve a combination of several different fittings, with an increased potential for leaks.

I won't make any hard and fast suggestions, as I have no direct experience of the disposable cylinder regs. What I will suggest is that you search here and other forums. Other homebrewers will have done this, or similar, so no need to reinvent this particular wheel. You could also post a question (but make the title far more specific than 'gas prob').

Cheers,
Chris

 

[airymary]

Well, ive gone and ordered a small co2 cylinder for delivery tomorrow. Im having it delivered to my office so I hope no one kicks off about it lol!

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/index.php...g-trade-only2013-07-05-10-25-57-42-132-detail

That cylinder will take standard regs, and should be easy to connect to your tap with a couple of the JG fittings linked above, and a length of beer line. A better option than disposable cylinders, IMHO.

Cheers,
Chris