Changing 1/4" barb to 5/16"

[Will_the-new-brewer]

Homebrewing for almost a year now, but just now wanting to keg.

When buying all my keg parts, a LHBS steered me wrong or I chose the wrong ID tubing. I have:
1/4" ball lock beer out - barb
5/16" beer line tubing
5/16" tail-piece (for shank).

I think I want to go 5/16" all the way, but can't seem to find the ball lock beer out - barb online. Any suggestions?

 

[rnorman57]

Unless you have a very long run from keg to tap, 3/16 ID beer line should be plenty, but if you really want to use 5/16 you should get ball lock disconnect with MFL connection, then get adapter to 5/16 barb, like this:

https://www.txbrewing.com/swivel-nu...MI9d-Dwtu44AIVBIzICh1tNQFLEAQYASABEgJnAvD_BwE

 

[FunkedOut]

Get a ball lock with a male flare (MFL) fitting.
Then you put a 5/16” barb female flare (FFL) swivel on the tubing.

That said, many (including) myself use 3/16” tubing on 1/4” barbs as the ID of the fittings are closer that of the tubing.

Save the 5/16” tubing for your gas lines and use it with 3/8” barbs.

Also, the 3/16” tubing on your beer lines will provide more restriction. That’s a good thing as you need to balance your lines to the serving pressure. 10’ of 3/16” line between the keg and tap will get you close. Search for beer line balancing calculators.

 

[jmcquesten]

And really, to make things easier, you could run ALL 3/16 tubing. Gas line doesn't have to be bigger. 3/16" tubing with 1/4" barbs all around works well for me. Make sure you use long enough lines for your beer. 10 to 15 ft would be a good start.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

Get a ball lock with a male flare (MFL) fitting.
Then you put a 5/16” barb female flare (FFL) swivel on the tubing.

That said, many (including) myself use 3/16” tubing on 1/4” barbs as the ID of the fittings are closer that of the tubing.

Save the 5/16” tubing for your gas lines and use it with 3/8” barbs.

Also, the 3/16” tubing on your beer lines will provide more restriction. That’s a good thing as you need to balance your lines to the serving pressure. 10’ of 3/16” line between the keg and tap will get you close. Search for beer line balancing calculators.

And the joints are practically self sealing. I have aviator clamps on them because it makes me feel good, but the one time I had to remove one I had to cut the tubing off the barb and then slice through the tubing over the barb to get it off. Dip the 3/16 bev tubing in a cup of boiling water and slip them on.