Mobile kegerator build thread

[Foamenter]

That sounds too cool, since it's electrical you could hook the button up to a sound module.

I can hear it now, " kiss my shiny metal ass!"

[dunnright00]

I read this whole thread hoping that I would be the first to say "Drink my Shiny Metal Keg!!", right after Foamenter said that!

Originally Posted by nostalgia

-Joe

[nostalgia]

Latest news: solenoid valve showed up today. A quick test was in order:

[youtube]Z-18GaJ-uk0[/youtube]

It quickly settled down to beer, but I'm going to tinker with it and see if we can't improve on that.

-Joe

[elmetal]

may have to do with line length? or hot beer (since it was out of the fridge)

I don't know.... maybe at 8 psi it pours too fast for the valve and you have to have a diff serving pressure? I don't know...

looks amazing though!

[SowegaBrews]

Originally Posted by elmetal

may have to do with line length? or hot beer (since it was out of the fridge)

that would be my guess as well.

[nostalgia]

Well, the beer was outside the fridge for less than 5 minutes when that video was shot, so I can't imagine it having lost more than a degree or two. The line was also empty to start, so there was no warm beer sitting in it.

It's possible that since the solenoid is rated for 24v, the 12v supply couldn't open it all the way and was cavitating the beer badly. I'll have to find a 24v one and see what happens.

The output line could be longer, too, but I don't want to make it too long since it'll drip an awful lot then.

I'll also be experimenting with lower pressures. When I run a picnic tap I go with 6psi so I'll start there.

-Joe

[Schnitzengiggle]

Awesome thread, Awesome idea...just plain AWESOMNESS!

PROST!

[brandonjonesVW]

wow. I have no idea how I missed this build. friggin awesome. good luck with the rest of the build.

[Brewin_CRAZY]

You are quite possibly my hero!!! I love Bender!

[nostalgia]

Ok guys here's what I just tried:

- Used a proper 24v power supply
- Increased the length of the output hose from 3" to 8"
- Lowered the input pressure from 8psi to 6psi
- Forced a stainless spout into the end of the output hose. Yes, I stretched the 3/16" hose up to 1/2" Boiling water, pliers and patience
- Pulled a second pint, in case the problem was just the first pint
- Left the keg in the fridge to make sure it wasn't beer temp

I got two pints of foam. They did settle down to a nice beer after a few minutes, but I'd still rather have a normal pour.

To make sure it wasn't just me disturbing the keg, I hooked it back up to my faucet and pulled a perfect pint when I was done.

So I'm open to suggestions. What have ya got for me, HBT?

-Joe