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Old 10-31-2012, 03:14 AM   #1
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Default Expanding to 2 kegs

Hello,
I got my first keg a couple weeks ago and love it. I want to have beer always on tap so I figure I need another keg so one can be carbing while the other is serving (quite a bit of consumption at this college house). My theory was that I could have a T off of the regulated line and have one side go to the higher pressure keg while the other will go to a secondary regulator that goes to the lower pressure keg. I was thinking just one of those cheap regulators used for common compressed air systems since pressures wont be ever above 30.

I dont want to blow the bank with a dual regulator off of my tank. Just looking for a cost effective way of adding another keg.

Thanks for the input


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Old 10-31-2012, 03:30 AM   #2
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If you really want two different pressures going to kegs, you're better off, IMO/IME, getting a dual body regulator. You also want to use regulators/gauges designed for CO2, not air compressors.

If you need to go low cost, then just get a manifold, install that inside the kegorator/keezer/etc. and use that to feed both kegs the same pressure. Use the two weeks at serving pressure and temperature carbonation method. You'll spend less AND get easy carbonation. The rapid forced carbonation method is full of pitfalls for many. I don't use it, and probably never will. Far more reliable to do the two week method.

BTW, get more kegs.


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Old 10-31-2012, 03:42 AM   #3
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I agree. Just get a manifold, or make one.
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Old 10-31-2012, 05:31 AM   #4
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If I were to make one Id get a brass ball valve plus check valve on each line. Not sure if that is price worthy over just buying: 2 way gas manifold It look expandable... am I right?

More kegs definitely sounds good. Someday... Pricing it out looks to be around 110 dollars to add another keg. I suppose thats not too bad.
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Old 10-31-2012, 06:37 AM   #5
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IMO/IME, this is a better option... MFL fittings on the manifold means it won't matter what the ID of the hose is. I have one of the Keg Connection 2 port and one 3 port manifolds in my brew fridge. Works great.
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On Tap: Caramel Ale, Mocha Porter II, MO SMaSH IPA
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Old 10-31-2012, 03:49 PM   #6
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I agree with Golddiggie. I've had both types - the check valves on the one you linked OP are cheap and led to a regulator accident for me way back when. I use the second type now and it's much better for the same price. As was mentioned the MFL fittings are nice, and handy for when I want to hook up my beer gun.
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Old 10-31-2012, 04:06 PM   #7
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I fitted my beer gun with a gas ball lock post. I have more than one CO2 tank, and regulator, so it makes it easy to use.
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On Tap: Caramel Ale, Mocha Porter II, MO SMaSH IPA
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K1: MO SMaSH IPA
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Old 10-31-2012, 04:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golddiggie View Post
I fitted my beer gun with a gas ball lock post. I have more than one CO2 tank, and regulator, so it makes it easy to use.
Nice. Pics?

(sorry OP, kinda off topic)
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Old 10-31-2012, 04:37 PM   #9
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Quote:
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Nice. Pics?

(sorry OP, kinda off topic)
PM sent with pics
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Hopping Tango Brewery

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On Tap: Caramel Ale, Mocha Porter II, MO SMaSH IPA
Waiting/Carbonating: 12.5% Wee Honey II, 8.9% Old Ale, English Brown Ale, Lickah ESB, Mocha Porter II
Fermenting
K1: MO SMaSH IPA
K2:
K3: TripSix
On Deck: Caramel Ale
Aging:mead
Mead [bottled]:Oaked Wildflower Traditional, Mocha Madness, Blackberry Melomel, maple wine


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Old 11-03-2012, 06:08 PM   #10
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I just use the one CO2 line for both kegs. I had one keg fully carbonated so it did not need to have the gas line attached while I carbonated the second keg. If I served from the already carbonated keg, I just reattached the gas line and "topped off" that keg. I then put the line back on the keg that was carbonating. So far this has worked fine.


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