Ball Lock Disconnect Help

[Ringo311]

A kegerator I bought was set up for commerical kegs and I have to get two ball lock disconnects to hook up a keg. The lines currently in the kegerator are 3/16" for the beer line and 5/8" for the gas line.

Can I use the 3/16" line for the corny keg? Do I just buy the two disconnects or do I need more items?

Thanks!

 

[porterpounder]

3/16" is standard for the liquid line. You can slip it right onto a barbed disconnect, or get a screw-on 3/16" or 1/4" nipple fitting for non-barbed disconnects.

For the gas disconnect, you're going to have to get a 5/16" or 3/8" nipple or put a reducing coupler in the line to a length of 3/16" to fit the barbed disconnect fitting.

 

[Bobby_M]

I think you mean the gas line is 3/8". I've never seen 5/8". You'll want to get ball lock disconnects with MFL ports and then get a 1/4" swivel barb and a 3/8" swivel barb.

http://www.brewhardware.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=ball+lock+keg+di

http://www.brewhardware.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=swivel

By the way, if you want to be able to hook up the commercial coupler in the future, you'll just need to replace the coupler's barbed tailpieces with these.
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tailpiecemfl14.htm

No cutting lines to go back and forth.

 

[Ringo311]

Thanks!

 

[IslandLizard]

Don't forget hose clamps.

If the beer line is gross and moldy, replace it, and get at least 10-12' of it for less foamy pours.

 

[Ringo311]

Ok. Do they come with something to crimp the line?

Would pex crimp rings work? I have the crimping tool for that already.

 

[IslandLizard]

You can use worm clamps. The banded ones are the best, if you can find them in that small size.

I doubt PEX rings will work, they only come in those few sizes. Do you have the round copper rings or the SS eared rings?

Oetiker clamps come in all kinds of sizes, and are made for this purpose. If you already have the ear crimping tool for PEX, you can use them for Oetikers too. If you don't have the special tool, you can simply use (Harbor Freight) pinch pliers to crimp the ear.

For hose crimps that don't have to be taken apart, such as MFL barb and swivel nuts, I prefer Oetiker clamps over worm clamps, they also seal much better without damaging the hose whatsoever. I actually wish for an earless design, cleaner with less snatching and scrapes.