$10 in-line regulators at manifold instead of multi-body regulator at CO2 tank?

[jordo_99]

And the space saving aspect?

I'm happy with it...I guess going with a 3-body secondary regulator would be about the same if I took the manifold out completely so you've got a good point there.

I'd just been comparing a dual-body primary regulator to a single primary and in-lines...once you're not attaching directly to a tank it can be moved around much more conveniently.

 

[SanPancho]

not sure if im missing it but has anybody used the little compact version of the regulator?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Primefi...-with-Steel-Protected-Gauge-CR1401G/205149488

looks like plastic and not metal but there's no data in description. and im not convinced it is that much more compact that the regular one. anybody seen these up close? HD doesnt have on hand, have to order delivery to store.

 

[HotRod9mm]

.....looks like plastic ......

The fitting body is metal. Appears to be some sort of cast aluminum. The pressure gauge is 1-5/8" in diameter and the adjusting knob is slightly smaller. Inlet/outlet is 1/4" and the gauge fitting is 1/8". I don't have one of the Amazon regulators to compare.

 

[SanPancho]

interesting. maybe i'll pick up one of each just to see how they hold up.

 

[North_of_60]

not sure if im missing it but has anybody used the little compact version of the regulator?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Primefi...-with-Steel-Protected-Gauge-CR1401G/205149488

looks like plastic and not metal but there's no data in description. and im not convinced it is that much more compact that the regular one. anybody seen these up close? HD doesnt have on hand, have to order delivery to store.

That is the one that jordo said he had issues with:

“The CR1401G and B008JVM0BE are effectively the same thing...The regulator doesn't leak but it does suffer from precision/control issues, not to mention the plastic knobs are "a little wobbly". Adjustments of 1psi are extremely finicky and require about only 1-2mm of travel and even then the knobs "wobble" a bit so it's not going to work well for this application. To make matters worse, the lack of ability to lock it combined with poorly machined parts will probably allow for "pressure creep" over time.”

 

[SanPancho]

aha. i thought we'd covered it somewhere. ok, well then i guess i'll just go with the full size. figure out my layout and then order some up.

 

[jordo_99]

aha. i thought we'd covered it somewhere. ok, well then i guess i'll just go with the full size. figure out my layout and then order some up.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/R1401G?NCNI-5

This should return two hits for regulators...the $7.97 (CR1401G) one is next to useless but the $10.29 (R1401G) is what I have three of and I've not had any issues with them at all.

The model numbers are almost idential but you can keep them straight if you remember that the "C" stands for "Crap"

 

[North_of_60]

Here is my adaptation using one R1401G mini regulator and two 3 way manifolds.

The main regulator is set at 25 psi and feeds the manifold on the right side. The right manifold is for soft drinks and sparkling water. The mini regulator steps this down to the left manifold for beer.

The kegerator build is still in progress. There is room for 6 kegs so eventually I’ll have 3 beers and 3 soft drinks on tap.

 

[jordo_99]

Nice looking setup you have there.


This also reminds me that I haven't posted any updates in a while...everything is still great with no leaks or pressure "drifting".

 

[North_of_60]

Nice looking setup you have there.


This also reminds me that I haven't posted any updates in a while...everything is still great with no leaks or pressure "drifting".

Thanks.

The mini regulator is very easy to set at a desired pressure and it holds it. When I snap the knob to the lock position it always jumps 1 psi. No problem, just expect that and set it accordingly.

 

[jordo_99]

I just finished kegging two more beers over the weekend and after I'd carb'd them I moved them over the the mini-regulators.

...I'm not entirely sure what's going on here or if it's just my imagination but I think one of them is leaking now. Here's the step-by-step of what I did:

1) Took off the ball-lock for force-carbing

2) I pulled the pressure relief valve (to bring it down to around 10psi, from 20psi)

3) Attached the ball-lock to the mini-regulator and slowly my turned the knob so I could slowly increase to 15psi...heard the usual gas hiss as it went up to 15psi but then it changed slightly.

4) I still heard a more faint hiss and it sounded like it was coming from the regulator...turned the shutoff valve (between mini-reg and keg) and turned down the knob but it got louder. Turned it up higher and it went away.

5) Turned my main regulator down to 20psi, and couldn't reproduce the issue.

6) Set main regulator back up to 30psi and wasn't able reproduce on either of the other two regulators.

7) Checked all fittings and clamps...nothing is loose.


I'm at a bit of a loss right now and I'm going to have to do some more troubleshooting of the system later this week...I'm not sure if this is just in my head (the keezer was kicking in due to the lid being open too) or if it's just a bad unit.

 

[jordo_99]

Haven't heard anything since and no leaks...I think it was all in my head.

 

[odie]

I'm gonna have to re-do my plan....I bought some of the HF regs... to play with...one seems junk (like the CR1401G type)...one has a neat digital gauge but the outlet is flare fitting and can't be removed, and the adjuster seems just as cheap...

the 3rd was like the R1401G but haven't messed with it yet...

plus my 15psi gauges I have are all 1/4 thread and not 1/8 :/