4 gauge secondary for kegerator?

[hilljack13]

At some point I plan to get a kegerator. I have thought about a DYI keezer, but these days I get lazy. Problem is I am using a 4 gauge secondary regulator. From some of the pictures I see there is not nearly enough room to run 4 gas lines into the kegerator. Maybe I am wrong on that, and I hope I am. What options would I have for mounting and running the lines without buying one of the bigger units that holds more than 4 kegs. I have 4 kegs if that wasn't obvious.

 

[mac_1103]

Problem is I am using a 4 gauge secondary regulator.

What are you using a 4 gauge secondary regulator for if you don't have a kegerator or keezer?

Just make the hole in the back of the kegerator bigger if you have to.

 

[Deadalus]

1. You could put the secondary regulators inside the kegerator. That's what I did in my keezer.
2 . Use Evabarrier lines which are smaller diameter than older thick lines.

 

[Broken Crow]

Sounds like you have a specific make/model kegerator in mind....Which one? ...If you're still shopping; The Series-X has 2 bottle-cap openings at each top corner that will fit 2, maybe 3 EVABarrier lines through each one. Or like @mac_1103 said; just make the hole bigger... I personally can't imagine buying a fun new appliance without cutting and modding it at least a little bit.

 

[sibelman]

It's tight, but this works well in my Kegco XCK-1B-4 with strap-handle kegs. Rubber-topped kegs might not fit.

 

[hilljack13]

What are you using a 4 gauge secondary regulator for if you don't have a kegerator or keezer?

Planning in advance. I knew I would need it at some point.

 

[hilljack13]

If I can put it on the inside then all is good. Like the Pic sibelman posted, but I do have kegland kegs.

I wouldn't have a problem doing the mod. I know the good folks here have plenty of projects of their own that were shared.

As for models, nothing down to model numbers, but I keep looking at the single and double door Komos on morebeer, and the very similar ones on Williams Brewing.

 

[sibelman]

The double door Komos might work with a multi-body secondary regulator on an inner door, but probably not with 8 kegs. A more svelte regulator without the big, handy knobs of the Tap-Rite, might prevent collision between the knobs and the keg tops.

 

[Bobby_M]

The KOMOS kegerators have two pass throughs the size of 2L soda bottle caps. You can get three 8mm OD EVA lines through each.

 

[hilljack13]

The KOMOS kegerators have two pass throughs the size of 2L soda bottle caps. You can get three 8mm OD EVA lines through each.

That's good info. I have the 5/16 ultra barrier tubing. If my math (calculator) is right 5/16=8mm (very close)

Edit: on second thought, the 5/16 is ID I believe

 

[hilljack13]

The double door Komos might work with a multi-body secondary regulator on an inner door, but probably not with 8 kegs. A more svelte regulator without the big, handy knobs of the Tap-Rite, might prevent collision between the knobs and the keg tops.

I would still only use 4 kegs, 6 max, just to get the needed space for mounting

 

[sibelman]

I would still only use 4 kegs, 6 max, just to get the needed space for mounting

... or mount the regulator externally as @Bobby_M suggests. Sounds like you'd likely have both options with that two door Komos unit.

 

[Bobby_M]

It's even on the one door "deluxe". I just dragged one home "for research".

 

[sibelman]

5/16 ultra barrier

Fitting lines through the hole is only one reason to switch to slender EVAbarrier, which may outperform "ultra barrier" in excluding oxygen.

 

[Kickass]

I have a standup fridge, not a keezer but this is pretty low profile.

 

[sibelman]

Nice build, @Kickass . And those Kegland in-line regulators are certainly both svelte and inexpensive.

 

[Kickass]

Full disclosure, I’ve only just converted to this setup 2 weeks ago.

I still feel a little uneasy about push fittings on the gas side but I haven’t had any issues. Overall I’m very pleased with how this went together and has worked.

 

[Broken Crow]

If I can put it on the inside then all is good. Like the Pic sibelman posted, but I do have kegland kegs.

I wouldn't have a problem doing the mod. I know the good folks here have plenty of projects of their own that were shared.

As for models, nothing down to model numbers, but I keep looking at the single and double door Komos on morebeer, and the very similar ones on Williams Brewing.

It sounds like the kegerators you're looking at are the re-badged @KegLand Series-X...if that's the case; You will not be able to fit the regulators inside..they just don't have the space even if you used strap handled kegs however; Like @Bobby_M said; you can fit 3 EVABarrier lines per bottle-cap opening. The Ultraflex has a 9/16"OD and you'd only be able to fit one line per opening...really; Just save yourself the headaches and get some EVABarrier. I'm currently changing out the old 9/16"OD gas lines in my utility CO2-rig for 1/4"ID=3/8"OD, so I just shoved 3 of them into a pop bottle for a pic:

The other ends will be swaged onto the regulator's 5/16" barb and the 2-way manifold's 3/8" barbs.
Do your regulators have barbs or MFL's and what sizes?

 

[Broken Crow]

UPDATE: I just finished my utility rig EVABarrier upgrade so just for the heck of it I dug up a redundant 8mm OD EVABarrier line, cut it into 4 pieces and stuffed them in a pop-bottle...Fit quite nice and loose:

So yeah...do yourself the favor of passing on the Ultraflex for EVABarrier.....you won't regret it.

 

[hilljack13]

Do your regulators have barbs or MFL's and what sizes?

I have the kegco regulators. This one

5/16 barb. If I remember correctly, this was why I went with the tubing I mentioned.

 

[Bobby_M]

If you use the 5mm ID EVA tubing (still 5/16 or 8mm OD), you can absolutely stretch it over 5/16" barbs if you use a swaging tool.

 

[hilljack13]

If you use the 5mm ID EVA tubing (still 5/16 or 8mm OD), you can absolutely stretch it over 5/16" barbs if you use a swaging tool.

I thought about replacing the barbs on the regulator with this one. I have an old gauge that was replaced with the same, so I took the barb out and the threads measure 1/2" diameter with ruler. Does this mean I need the 1/4" flare? I can't find any 1/2" threads. Also, are MFL and NPT the same? When I search for one or the other, the same parts come up but the description always says NPT and then the barb size.

 

[Bobby_M]

No, I've never seen a valve on a regulator that had female flare on the bottom. It's 99% 1/4" NPT but make sure when you look up inside the valve with the barb removed that the white teflon valve seat isn't exposed. If it is, you can't replace that barb fitting.

If the valve still works fine with the barb out, then you can. If that's the case, this

and

Though you may be able to go directly like this

but 1/4" BSP is a little smaller in diameter so the threads might not tighten enough for the oring to seal.

 

[Broken Crow]

FFL outputs are by far the most flexible. Looking at the pic of that regulator, you could probably opt to replace the whole valve with one that has an integrated check-valve:
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/bv14check.htm