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SurlyBrew · 12-05-2012, 07:10 PM

I have done a bunch of research and found myself becoming more confused with the more research I do. There are so many varying opinions about this subject. I'd be serving at around 40 F in my mini fridge with 2- 2.5 gallon ball lock kegs. I will be most likely serving around 10-11 PSI to achieve 2.4-2.5 vols.

I've heard 10 ft of 1/4" is the way to go, but how about a shorter length of 3/16"? How long should a hose of 3/16" be for my setup.

**Brewerforlife** · 12-05-2012, 08:21 PM

It's 8 to 10 feet of 3/16th" vinyl you should be using. I would start with the 10 feet first, if pouring too slow, just cut 1 foot off at a time till you get the right flow. The only thing that a line thats too long or has too much resistance will cause, is a slow pour, not foaming!! 1/4 inch line is too large for a short draw system, it only has .65 pounds of resistance per foot!! Hope that helps some!!

BluBruShack · 12-06-2012, 10:50 AM

Here is the article that helped me out

http://beersmith.com/blog/2011/07/14/keg-line-length-balancing-the-science-of-draft-beer/

The gist of it below:
3/16″ ID vinyl tubing = 3 psi/ft
1/4″ ID vinyl tubing = 0.85 psi/ft
3/16″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 2.2 psi/ft
1/4″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
3/8″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.2 psi/ft
5/16″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
1/4″ OD Stainless tubing = 2 psi/ft

@ 40degrees and 10psi you are looking at 2.3 volumes of CO2.

Table here
http://www.zahmnagel.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HuVGZ8tLaow%3D&tabid=81

Good Luck

-BBS

SurlyBrew · 12-06-2012, 01:37 PM

Thank you! Love everything from beersmith. Very easy, and straight forward.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluBruShack

Here is the article that helped me out

http://beersmith.com/blog/2011/07/14/keg-line-length-balancing-the-science-of-draft-beer/

The gist of it below:
3/16″ ID vinyl tubing = 3 psi/ft
1/4″ ID vinyl tubing = 0.85 psi/ft
3/16″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 2.2 psi/ft
1/4″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
3/8″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.2 psi/ft
5/16″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
1/4″ OD Stainless tubing = 2 psi/ft

@ 40degrees and 10psi you are looking at 2.3 volumes of CO2.

Table here
http://www.zahmnagel.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HuVGZ8tLaow%3D&tabid=81

Good Luck

-BBS

**JuanMoore** · 12-07-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluBruShack

Here is the article that helped me out

http://beersmith.com/blog/2011/07/14/keg-line-length-balancing-the-science-of-draft-beer/

The gist of it below:
3/16″ ID vinyl tubing = 3 psi/ft
1/4″ ID vinyl tubing = 0.85 psi/ft
3/16″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 2.2 psi/ft
1/4″ ID Polyethylene tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
3/8″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.2 psi/ft
5/16″ OD Stainless tubing = 0.5 psi/ft
1/4″ OD Stainless tubing = 2 psi/ft

@ 40degrees and 10psi you are looking at 2.3 volumes of CO2.

Table here
http://www.zahmnagel.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HuVGZ8tLaow%3D&tabid=81

Good Luck

-BBS

It helps to keep in mind that those resistance figures and the beersmith equations are all assuming ~1gal/min flow rate. One gal/min may be too fast if you're storing/serving your beer warmer than 38°, or if you're carbing over ~2.8 vol. Line resistance figures are not constant, but vary depending on flow rate. Once you slow the flow down, the resistance figures and equations will no longer apply. That's why you see so many recommendations around here for 10-12' of 3/16" line even though the calculators and equations usually call for about half of that length (or less).

Also keep in mind that the line balancing calculators are designed to give the shortest possible length that won't create excessive foaming, which isn't necessarily the ideal line length. As mentioned above, the only side effect of lines that are longer is a slightly slower pour. IMO it's better to have longer lines that take an extra second to fill a pint glass, but can handle a wide variety of serving temperatures and carb levels. As always, YMMV.

SurlyBrew · 12-07-2012, 01:35 PM

I ended up going with 12' 1/4" line. My calculations showed that at 11 psi I need 11.7 feet of 1/4" so it should be perfect. Thanks guys. I will be installing my perlicks and serving lines today, I will update how it all turns out.

day_trippr · 12-07-2012, 02:52 PM

^^^ Good luck with that...

Cheers!

**JuanMoore** · 12-07-2012, 04:01 PM

I hope it works for you. I also hope you're not using a tower, since any tower warming issues will be 3 times worse using the larger diameter beer line. I also hope you don't plan on serving any beer at a warmer temp or higher carb level than whatever you used for the calculations.

zachattack · 12-07-2012, 04:02 PM

I look forward to the "glass full of foam" update! Haha hopefully it works for you though.

**Bobby_M** · 12-07-2012, 04:15 PM

I don't understand why you would go with 1/4" ID. Even if the calculations were correct, you'd be able to get away with much shorter lines in 3/16. You're going to regret the 1/4" decision no matter what, unfortunately.