Sodastream gas - fittings?

[StoutWolf]

Anyone want to hazard a guess or better yet provide me with links as to what I need to make this work with a sodastream gas bottle.

I'm guessing two barbed (1M, 1F, different thread sizes) adaptors, hose and hose clamps?
Or maybe a barbed disconnect and one M to barb adaptor.
If it helps, I have an adapter that connects the regulator to the disconnect, but ideally wanted the keg remote from the gas cylinder.
Eventually I'd be aiming to feed multiple kegs via a manifold, so if I need to upgrade the regulator, that's also a possibility.
Anything else I'm missing?
Cheers

 

[peebee]

Head is not up to working this out proper for you right now, but this information should send you in the right direction:

Gas setup questions

 

[StoutWolf]

Thanks @peebee I'll read through the linked thread and those linked within it tomorrow. Hopefully something in their will start me in the right direction. No real rush as I have 16g bulbs that I've been using, but want to start using the sodastream cartridge for initial carbing of my 5l kegs if I could.

 

[YeastFace]

Eventually I'd be aiming to feed multiple kegs via a manifold

With the sodastream cylinder? Are you keg conditioning/priming with sugar? Even then I think this is quite optimistic.

I started with sodastream cylinders, they're ok for adding serving pressure to one keg, but they really don't last too long. For a party where you're expecting to empty the keg in a day or two, they're useful.

Unless your regulator is designed for sodastreams (there are a few), you will need a sodastream to regulator adaptor like this.

A 3/8 female to 3/8 tube adapter. This screws into your regulator (this is the standars thread size, I can't quite see your regulator so please check) and then you pop in your 3/8 gas line.

A 1/4 FFL to 3/8 tube adapter, this screws onto your grey disconnect and then you pop in your gas line from above.

 

[StoutWolf]

Thanks @YeastFace I only use 5l kegs, so the volume of co2 required isn't as large as it might have sounded. I can usually carb and dispense one with a bit less than 32g of co2 so I'm hoping the sodastream will do me 10 kegs, maybe a few more?
There's a SS connector screwed into the bottom of the regulator which looks similar to what you linked, sorry I should probably have photographed it separately like this:

Should there be an o ring or similar in this coupling? It doesn't quite seem to go tight when screwed fully in.

The JG connectors you linked look like they might do the job. The female to screw to the regulator looks like I'd need to unscrew the existing nut from the regulator first? Again does this then need any o ring? Or does the JG coupling include one?
Is measuring with a tape measure going to be accurate enough to confirm 3/8 or is there a better way to do this?
Sorry for asking basic questions, and thanks again for the advice.

 

[Begbie]

Try this thread. I had the exact same questions.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/help-with-john-guest-fitting-type.96269/#post-1077700

 

[Begbie]

Thanks @YeastFace I only use 5l kegs, so the volume of co2 required isn't as large as it might have sounded. I can usually carb and dispense one with a bit less than 32g of co2 so I'm hoping the sodastream will do me 10 kegs, maybe a few more?
There's a SS connector screwed into the bottom of the regulator which looks similar to what you linked, sorry I should probably have photographed it separately like this:
View attachment 58138
Should there be an o ring or similar in this coupling? It doesn't quite seem to go tight when screwed fully in.

The JG connectors you linked look like they might do the job. The female to screw to the regulator looks like I'd need to unscrew the existing nut from the regulator first? Again does this then need any o ring? Or does the JG coupling include one?
Is measuring with a tape measure going to be accurate enough to confirm 3/8 or is there a better way to do this?
Sorry for asking basic questions, and thanks again for the advice.

That sodastream adaptor should have a soft translucent rubber washer that fits inside, so that the sodastream bottle seals against it. I figured that one out when I first tried to connect my bottle and CO2 was hissing out! Checked inside the box that the regulator came in, and low and behold, the washer was there.

 

[Begbie]

Here are the fittings that I bought. The brass NPT thread needs PTFE tape on it for a good seal. The JG fitting has an oring that seals against the brass fitting. All working well.

 

[StoutWolf]

Not sure how I missed these previous threads when I had a quick look this afternoon! Apologies for asking questions which have previously been answered. Thanks for the links @Scott Begbie. I've just started to have a read through that now and the info on flared fittings explains why there aren't o rings in some locations where I might expect them.

There is a soft rubber washer in the SS adaptor that will mate with the bottle.

Looking at the images you've posted above, I think I may need a male thread to push fit to attach to my regulator.
So assuming the regulator thread is 3/8. I think I now know what I need.

Is there an easy way of including a shutoff valve after the bottle? Can the bottle be unscrewed when not in use?
Cheers

 

[Begbie]

When not in use, I just close the regulator valve. Sometimes, if I'm not going to be drinking from the keg for several days, I will close the regulator valve and remove the Gas Disconnect completely to ensure no leakage of CO2 from the bottle. Once that's done, just unscrew the bottle to doubly ensure no gas leakage.

 

[fgoulding]

I mostly use 8mm duotight fittings and so I bought a 8mm M8 (Mini Regulator Outlet) to make the connection:



I got the little adaptor for my regulator from iKegger in Germany and it was pricey with shipping but I couldn't find it anywhere else:




Their website is a nightmare to navigate but you'll find it here by clicking on the Fitting Type drop down list:

https://ikegger.eu/products/duo-tig...1&_sid=51ee679a3&_ss=r&variant=31595401642087

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I have two Sodastream set ups and the worst part is attaching the cylinder to the adapter it scares me to death. Make sure you wear gloves and safety glasses and have no exposed skin.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

@Cheshire Cat
Whilst standing one legged on a bar stool with your eyes shut for added excitement?
I find refilling the sodastream cylinder from my main cylinder the scariest. But definitely wear gloves if you pre freeze your sodastream cylinder.

 

[Tanglefoot]

On the subject of soda stream bottles, after a bit of experience I can tighten bottle with minimum of leakage.
But the last bottle still only registered just under 50L which is a shortfall of 10L on the advertised 60L.
Anyone else notice this ?


Also sounds obvious but make sure screw is untightened ( i.e valve is shut ) before attempting to screw bottle to regulator.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

On the subject of soda stream bottles, after a bit of experience I can tighten bottle with minimum of leakage.
But the last bottle still only registered just under 50L which is a shortfall of 10L on the advertised 60L.
Anyone else notice this ?


Also sounds obvious but make sure screw is untightened ( i.e valve is shut ) before attempting to screw bottle to regulator.

What screw needs to be untightened?

 

[Tanglefoot]

What screw needs to be untightened?

The threaded screw that regulates pressure ( at least on my regulator ),
tighten to increase, untighten to close off flow.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

The threaded screw that regulates pressure ( at least on my regulator ),
tighten to increase, untighten to close off flow.

Ok I thought you meant on the Sodastream cylinder.

 

[StoutWolf]

Thanks all for the continued input. Some useful H&S reminders, which are always worth having. I saw last night that TMM had SS adaptors for sale with an adjustment screw. There isn't one on the adaptor that I have, but I'm leaning towards buying one of those instead and maybe a regulator with dual gauges. I take it one of these shows pressure in bottle? Is that how you're measuring 50l Vs 60l @Tanglefoot ? Or is that from cylinder full / cylinder empty weight calculations?

 

[Tanglefoot]

Thanks all for the continued input. Some useful H&S reminders, which are always worth having. I saw last night that TMM had SS adaptors for sale with an adjustment screw. There isn't one on the adaptor that I have, but I'm leaning towards buying one of those instead and maybe a regulator with dual gauges. I take it one of these shows pressure in bottle? Is that how you're measuring 50l Vs 60l @Tanglefoot ? Or is that from cylinder full / cylinder empty weight calculations?

I got the corny/sodastream kit from Brewkegtap. BLACK FRIDAY - Mobile Corny Keg Sodastream Kit - choice of Regulator, Keg and Tap

The regulator comes with SS adaptor fitted, it can be removed to use the regulator with a large Co2 bottle.
Yes, there are two gauges, one shows volume of Co2 in the bottle the other shows pressure to the keg.
I can recommend their kit, hard to find better quality for the price.

 

[peebee]

... maybe a regulator with dual gauges. I take it one of these shows pressure in bottle? Is that how you're measuring 50l Vs 60l @Tanglefoot ? ...

Dual gauges aren't much help. CO2 in a cylinder is liquid, not a pressurised gas. See CO2 Management Primer

@Tanglefoot was probably referring to the marketting claims it is enough for making 60L of fizzy water ... which it doesn't apparently.