Return to TheElectricBrewery.com
  [ Shop ]   [ Building ]   [ Using ]   [ Recipes ]   [ Testimonials ]   [ Gallery ]   [ FAQ ]   [ About Us ]   [ Contact Us ]   [ Newsletter ]

Log inLog in   RegisterRegister   User Control PanelUser Control Panel   Private MessagesPrivate Messages   MembershipClub Memberships   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   Photo AlbumsPhoto Albums   Forum FAQForum FAQ


Gas / Beer Line Diameter

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly view    TheElectricBrewery.com Forum Index -> Packaging & Serving
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
fseider




Joined: 10 May 2013
Posts: 156
Location: Two Naked Frogs Brewery; Reading, PA (USA); Interests: Beer, Frogs, Steampunk, Being Naked


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:42 am    Post subject: Gas / Beer Line Diameter Reply with quote


        Register to remove this ad. It's free!
Seems getting a straight recommendation on this is not as easy as I thought. Bottom line, I need a solid suggestion as to line diameter for both the gas and beer. My setup:


8 Keg keezer. Taps will be no more than 4 feet from keezer collar, @ 2 feet max higher.

I intend to use 8 Micromatic secondary regulators, and a mix of 8 Perlick 630SS / 650SS taps.

20 lb CO2 bottle


Suggestion as to line sizes (Inside Diameter) to go with?

Thanks,

_________________
Fred Seider
Two Naked Frogs Brewery, Winery, & Meadery
Reading, PA
"What's in your goblet?!"
---
Model 30A; SN 0130
Back to top
dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

5/16" ID Gas
3/16" ID Beer


Gas size doesn't matter, just what fits on your fittings tight. Most gas fittings are either 1/4" or 5/16".

Beer size matters. It depends on how long of lines you are running, how much higher the spout is above the centerline of the keg, what psi you are running (which depends on the temp of the cooler). Here is a good link to help figure it all out.

http://www.mikesoltys.com/2012/09/17/determining-proper-hose-length-for-your-kegerator/

With all that said, if your under 10' I would go with 3/16" ID


Last edited by dp Brewing Company on Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's photo album (3 photos)
Ozarks Mountain Brew




Joined: 22 May 2013
Posts: 737
Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't installed it yet but I bought Accuflex Bev-Seal Ultra (3/16) 50', I here theirs other types too
_________________
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
Back to top
itsnotrequired




Joined: 15 Sep 2015
Posts: 177
Location: central wi


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gas line isn't that big a deal what you use. the red 5/16" inside diameter tube is often what you see on commercial setups but it is bulky hose with a 9/16" outside diameter. i went with 1/4" inside diameter bevlex clear pvc tubing for my gas tubing, works fine. it is also a bit cheaper than the red stuff.

for beer lines, i went with the accuflex bev-seal ultra barrier tubing. this is the 'fancy stuff' that is much less permeable than the pvc tubing and less susceptible to retaining odors/staining. it has much less resistance than pvc tubing so you need to use a comparatively longer length of tubing to avoid foaming issues.

and that gets to the main issue with beer lines and sizing. it is a function of line material, line diameter, height difference between keg/faucet and keg pressure. it really comes down to pour times and foaming. increase line length and foaming goes down but the time it takes to pour a pint goes up. increase diameter and flow rate goes up but so does foaming. they all play together so it isn't as simple as 'use x diameter and y length'. best site i've seen for determining length is below:

http://www.mikesoltys.com/2012/09/17/determining-proper-hose-length-for-your-kegerator/
Back to top
itsnotrequired




Joined: 15 Sep 2015
Posts: 177
Location: central wi


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ozarks Mountain Brew wrote:
I haven't installed it yet but I bought Accuflex Bev-Seal Ultra (3/16) 50', I here theirs other types too


did you get the quick-connect fittings? these are a must in my opinion. the tubing is very stiff compared to pvc tubing and lots of horror stories out there about folks trying to get the tubing onto barbs. i went with the quick-connects from the get-go, amazing how fast i was able to hook everything up.
Back to top
Ozarks Mountain Brew




Joined: 22 May 2013
Posts: 737
Location: The Ozark Mountains of Missouri


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can role it up in a loop to increase the length too, its pretty ridged and needs to be wormed up and stretched on with pliers
_________________
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."


Last edited by Ozarks Mountain Brew on Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Run a kettle half full of water to heat it up to 200F or so, then turn it off. Then stick the end of the Accuflex Bev-Seal Ultra (or similar) tubing into the water for a few seconds before pushing it on the barb (wearing gloves). Works great. Did my previous bar setup (4 taps) this way, as well as my current bar (8 taps) and kegerator (2 taps).

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
Back to top
View user's photo album (21 photos)
itsnotrequired




Joined: 15 Sep 2015
Posts: 177
Location: central wi


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kal wrote:
Run a kettle half full of water to heat it up to 200F or so, then turn it off. Then stick the end of the Accuflex Bev-Seal Ultra (or similar) tubing into the water for a few seconds before pushing it on the barb (wearing gloves). Works great. Did my previous bar setup (4 taps) this way, as well as my current bar (8 taps) and kegerator (2 taps).

Kal


or get the quick connect fitting. cut to length, stick in end, done. no heating, no clamps, no fuss, no muss. Mr. Green
Back to top
dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hair dryer also works awesome.
_________________
Visit dp Brewing Company
Hangovers hurt....but good memories last forever!
Back to top
View user's photo album (3 photos)
kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

itsnotrequired wrote:
or get the quick connect fitting. cut to length, stick in end, done. no heating, no clamps, no fuss, no muss. Mr. Green

Do you have a link so that I can see what you mean by this product? Thanks!

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
Back to top
View user's photo album (21 photos)
itsnotrequired




Joined: 15 Sep 2015
Posts: 177
Location: central wi


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kal wrote:

Do you have a link so that I can see what you mean by this product? Thanks!

Kal


http://www.birdmanbrewing.com/tubing/

others sell as well. they make two connectors, one for the shank and one for the disconnect at the keg. the connectors are threaded on without the need of any teflon tape. tubing is inserted fully and then pulled out slightly to 'set' the grip. to remove the tubing, push the tubing back in toward the connector, hold the 'grip ring' in place and pull out. no need for any clamps, heating, etc.
Back to top
fseider




Joined: 10 May 2013
Posts: 156
Location: Two Naked Frogs Brewery; Reading, PA (USA); Interests: Beer, Frogs, Steampunk, Being Naked


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all for the responses!

I did come across some good accolades for the "John Guest Acetal Copolymer Tube Fittings". Was going to ask in a followup post on these, but this seems to be what itsnotrequired is referring to. Anyone else with experience on these?

_________________
Fred Seider
Two Naked Frogs Brewery, Winery, & Meadery
Reading, PA
"What's in your goblet?!"
---
Model 30A; SN 0130
Back to top
itsnotrequired




Joined: 15 Sep 2015
Posts: 177
Location: central wi


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

also be aware that there are about ten billion different john guest fittings out there, all different shapes, sizes and configurations. i ordered mine from birdman since they take the guesswork out of it. similar brew supply places can offer the same. i'm sure they can be found cheaper on ebay or similar, just be real careful you are getting the correct sizes.
Back to top
fseider




Joined: 10 May 2013
Posts: 156
Location: Two Naked Frogs Brewery; Reading, PA (USA); Interests: Beer, Frogs, Steampunk, Being Naked


PostLink    Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

itsnotrequired wrote:
also be aware that there are about ten billion different john guest fittings out there, all different shapes, sizes and configurations. i ordered mine from birdman since they take the guesswork out of it. similar brew supply places can offer the same. i'm sure they can be found cheaper on ebay or similar, just be real careful you are getting the correct sizes.


Trust me, that's the first thing I noticed! Can be a daunting task. And thanks for the reminder.

_________________
Fred Seider
Two Naked Frogs Brewery, Winery, & Meadery
Reading, PA
"What's in your goblet?!"
---
Model 30A; SN 0130
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer-friendly view    TheElectricBrewery.com Forum Index -> Packaging & Serving All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum



Forum powered by phpBB © phpBB Group