Carbonator Installed.

[crazyirishman34]

Why not use a spunding type valve to keep the pressure at 100psi while you fill the keg? That would keep the Co2 in solution.

 

[EFaden]

Where did you get a 1/8" tail piece or MFL fitting? Or did you use something else?

I am hoping to use MFL fittings on the line so I can swap it out easily.

I use a 1/8" MFL. I got it through one of the distributors... I have a commercial account. I haven't really seen anyone else carry them.

Why not use a spunding type valve to keep the pressure at 100psi while you fill the keg? That would keep the Co2 in solution.

I thought about that. At this point my whole tank is full of seltzer... I use seltzer to push also... so the tank never empties.

 

[crazyirishman34]

One thing that you might think about is just eliminating the keg. When I first start my system up and it is still warm we just pour the soda over ice. The soda water stay carbed about the same as Poland springs. One thing is I run the Co2 inlet pressure at 120psi.

 

[EFaden]

One thing that you might think about is just eliminating the keg. When I first start my system up and it is still warm we just pour the soda over ice. The soda water stay carbed about the same as Poland springs. One thing is I run the Co2 inlet pressure at 120psi.

I thought about that. But we are regularly out of ice... we don't have an automated ice maker.

 

[Ramdough]

Eric


I am still slowly planning my system and I had an idea.

Do you think I could get the same result by having a soda keg with tap water on one terminal and feed the output to a carbonator pump that is in a keezer with the soda keg? That way the keg would be at a lower pressure and I could also have cold tap water on hand as well as cold soda water. I would have to really control humidity in the keezer, but I plan on putting the pump in the keezer anyway since I plan to put my keezer outdoors and do not want to expose my pump to the outdoor environment in Texas.

What do you think?

 

[EFaden]

Eric


I am still slowly planning my system and I had an idea.

Do you think I could get the same result by having a soda keg with tap water on one terminal and feed the output to a carbonator pump that is in a keezer with the soda keg? That way the keg would be at a lower pressure and I could also have cold tap water on hand as well as cold soda water. I would have to really control humidity in the keezer, but I plan on putting the pump in the keezer anyway since I plan to put my keezer outdoors and do not want to expose my pump to the outdoor environment in Texas.

What do you think?

Would work... but the problem is that the carbonator has a tank which will still warm up to room temperature.

 

[crazyirishman34]

Honestly the best way to cool your soda water is either with a cold plate or a flash chiller. If you don't have the soda coming out at 32 deg or so it is going to loose your carbonation, One thing that you could use is a motorless carbinator that way you could have 5 gallons of soda water on hand at any time.

http://www.beverageequipmentco.com/home_soda_system.htm

 

[Ramdough]

Would work... but the problem is that the carbonator has a tank which will still warm up to room temperature.

Actually, I was planning on putting the carbonator pump (and tank) in the freezer. The reason is that the keezer is going to be outside and I do not want bugs, dust, and critters messing with the pump.

 

[crazyirishman34]

are you going to keep the freezer above freezing temps? If not the water will freeze

 

[Ramdough]

are you going to keep the freezer above freezing temps? If not the water will freeze

Yes, I plan on keeping it between 34 an 36. In the winter I plan to cover the taps with a foam box and put a small plumbers strip heater in there for nights below freezing. Where I live it only freezes maybe a couple weeks a year.

 

[crazyirishman34]

Do you have the carbinator? Honestly I would go the motorless route in your situation.

 

[Ramdough]

I already have one. I have the same one used in this thread.

 

[crazyirishman34]

Got ya. So are you going to fill the keg under counter pressure?

 

[Ramdough]

I plan on filling kegs for soda under counter pressure, but also plan on having a tap of soda water. For that purpose I was considering doing what Eric did or as I mentioned earlier, put the cold water reservoir before the pump and have the pump in the freezer. That part is a new idea to me so I was asking the questions.

What do you think?

 

[crazyirishman34]

The chilled water will help with the carbonation. Just remember that your soda is going to be coming out of the carbonator at about 100psi

 

[Ramdough]

Eric

Did you keep the pin lock or ball lock quick disconnects, or did you hard plumb in the keg to your carbonator?

Thanks

 

[EFaden]

Eric

Did you keep the pin lock or ball lock quick disconnects, or did you hard plumb in the keg to your carbonator?

Thanks

I kept the disconnects, but I removed the popets from both sides. Also marked the keg with tape on the disconnects so I don't forget to discharge the pressure before I pop them off. I did it once without discharging the pressure and got a face full of seltzer.

 

[sodagoof]

I tried setting up a system with the big Mac but am having troubles. The water is flying out at a tremendous speed. It seems that any carbonation that might be in solution escapes from it being so turbulent when then filling a cup.

I use 30' of 1/8" tubing for the dispensing line.

Some questions:
1. Should I expect the water to come flying out so fast? I thought the line would reduce the pressure
2. Should I hear the motor running? It is quite quiet, there is some noise but hard to tell if it's working.

 

[crazyirishman34]

Everything you are describing is normal. Normally after the carbinator you chill the soda water right after with an plate chiller or ice bank. If you have room temperature soda the carbonation will immediately excape from solution. Having ice in your glass will help but wont be as good.

 

[crazyirishman34]

The motor only runs some of the time. With a big Mac it will only come on once in a while