418Brewing
Well-Known Member
Okay, starting from this basic idea that is (obviously) not mine or original:
I'm thinking of putting something like this on the wall behind my kegerator, but I'd like it to be less plastic. I say "steampunk" not because I want it to look steampunk, but more metal, more "cool", more... professional. I'd also like to not rebuild it on a regular basis and have it turn into a months/years-long project.
So here's what I'm thinking:
First up, flip it upside down. Gas comes in the bottom and goes up. It's a 4 keg system and it never hurts to have a simple, easy extra line. So I want to plan for 5 lines.
I love the independent regulator setup, and it unfortunately looks like the best form-factor for building something like this is the plastic Kegland regulators shown in the picture above. So unless someone has a better idea, I'm thinking that's the best bet.
From there we need a shut off valve. Something with a check valve would be nice, but not necessary. (I could put a cheap Duotight check valve just before the ball-lock connector inside the kegerator where it wouldn't be seen.)
Above that I'm thinking elbow pointed back through the board to another elbow pointing down so the output lines run behind the mounting board and straight down the to the kegerator. I'm going to route them through some 3D printed parts to keep them neat and orderly.
A possible extra idea would be to switch the first elbow to a T with the 90deg leg pointing through the board so I can mount a Duotight pressure gauge at the very top as an extra verification of line pressure (which could vary if the shutoff valve were closed, or the regulator valve was just faulty.)
Not sure if shutoff valves at the manifold would be useful as well. Open to thoughts on that.
So. Ideas for making it look cooler:
1. Use copper pipe fittings for the manifold and anywhere else I can. I'd need to work out how to connect that to Duotight for the regulators.
2. Paint the Duotight hardware with metallic paint. Not excited about that - it seems like a decent way to mess stuff up. But, I think if I carefully mask off the ends (and disassemble the regulators) I could paint the body without much risk.
So mask along the red curved line I (sloppily) drew and then paint the part not crossed out.
Opening it up to any/all ideas on how to make this cooler, more useful, future-proof, etc. Stuff like "oh, you're going to thank yourself if you put in an extra CO2 line for carbing, bottling, etc."
I'm thinking of putting something like this on the wall behind my kegerator, but I'd like it to be less plastic. I say "steampunk" not because I want it to look steampunk, but more metal, more "cool", more... professional. I'd also like to not rebuild it on a regular basis and have it turn into a months/years-long project.
So here's what I'm thinking:
First up, flip it upside down. Gas comes in the bottom and goes up. It's a 4 keg system and it never hurts to have a simple, easy extra line. So I want to plan for 5 lines.
I love the independent regulator setup, and it unfortunately looks like the best form-factor for building something like this is the plastic Kegland regulators shown in the picture above. So unless someone has a better idea, I'm thinking that's the best bet.
From there we need a shut off valve. Something with a check valve would be nice, but not necessary. (I could put a cheap Duotight check valve just before the ball-lock connector inside the kegerator where it wouldn't be seen.)
Above that I'm thinking elbow pointed back through the board to another elbow pointing down so the output lines run behind the mounting board and straight down the to the kegerator. I'm going to route them through some 3D printed parts to keep them neat and orderly.
A possible extra idea would be to switch the first elbow to a T with the 90deg leg pointing through the board so I can mount a Duotight pressure gauge at the very top as an extra verification of line pressure (which could vary if the shutoff valve were closed, or the regulator valve was just faulty.)
Not sure if shutoff valves at the manifold would be useful as well. Open to thoughts on that.
So. Ideas for making it look cooler:
1. Use copper pipe fittings for the manifold and anywhere else I can. I'd need to work out how to connect that to Duotight for the regulators.
2. Paint the Duotight hardware with metallic paint. Not excited about that - it seems like a decent way to mess stuff up. But, I think if I carefully mask off the ends (and disassemble the regulators) I could paint the body without much risk.
So mask along the red curved line I (sloppily) drew and then paint the part not crossed out.
Opening it up to any/all ideas on how to make this cooler, more useful, future-proof, etc. Stuff like "oh, you're going to thank yourself if you put in an extra CO2 line for carbing, bottling, etc."