Child-proofing a kegerator

[lowriderdog37]

Somehow these threads always turn into arguments/soap boxes about parenting. Let's not let this one slide down that slippery slope. Sure, your child should know better than to misbehave by going near the kegerator. However, kids get curious and/or accidents happen. The OP wants advice on a bit of electromechanical insurance. Let's help him out.

Back on topic - RFID and some solenoids sound like a great (and fun) idea. It's a bit over-complex, but that sort of thing appeals to me. I've been considering using a solenoid dispensing system in my keezer build but haven't decided whether I want to spend the money on it. nostalgia is selling this valve because he had a bad experience with it (see below). However, a properly balanced system through a full port solenoid valve of the proper size should dispense nicely.

Thank you. Many of these solenoids are very expensive...especially for the nsf rated ones. I am going to start with the plastic ones on ebay and see how that works. I also found an rfid controller that works within 3 ft. I think this project is going to be the ebay special. We'll see how it goes.

And yes, childproof is not quite the perfect term, but it's much quicker than typing childresistant over and over.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...13&category=94830&ssPageName=mem_guide:5&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-4-Electric-So...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439cbe9c11

 

[lowriderdog37]

http://kegbot.org/

That looks really cool, and doesn't look too hard either. What I am thinking about doing is a little overkill, but that is WAY more than I am going to get into right now. Very cool/fun theory though.

 

[HopBlooded]

Not nearly as cool as RFID solenoids, but Micromatic sells tap locks like this...

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-23-41.html

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Party pooper.

 

[Jaysus]

Not nearly as cool as RFID solenoids, but Micromatic sells tap locks like this...

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-pid-23-41.html

Is there anything like that for Perlicks?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Ok, curiosity got the best of me. I found a Parallax RFID board at Radio Shack. It's really easy to interface with Arduino. With a few relays and solenoids, we could have this working in no time.

Code adapted from the Arduino Playground:

// Modified by Worapoht K.
// Further modified by Yuri
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

int  val = 0; 
char code[10];
int bytesread = 0; 

#define rxPin 8
#define txPin 9
// RFID reader SOUT pin connected to Serial RX pin at 2400bps to pin8

void setup()
{ 
  Serial.begin(9600);  // Hardware serial for Monitor 9600bps

  pinMode(2,OUTPUT);       // Set digital pin 2 as OUTPUT to connect it to the RFID /ENABLE pin 
  digitalWrite(2, LOW);    // Activate the RFID reader 
}


void loop()
{ 
  SoftwareSerial RFID = SoftwareSerial(rxPin,txPin); 
  RFID.begin(2400);

  if((val = RFID.read()) == 10)
  {   // check for header 
    bytesread = 0; 
    while(bytesread<10)
    {  // read 10 digit code 
      val = RFID.read(); 
      if((val == 10)||(val == 13))
      {  // if header or stop bytes before the 10 digit reading 
        break;                       // stop reading 
      } 
      code[bytesread] = val;         // add the digit           
      bytesread++;                   // ready to read next digit  
    } 

    if(bytesread == 10)
    {  // if 10 digit read is complete
      code[10] = '\0';
      if (strcmp(code, "INSERTANID") == 0) {
        Serial.print("Round tag - ");
      } else if (strcmp(code, "UNIQUETAG1") == 0) {
        Serial.print("Rectangle tag - ");
      } else {
        Serial.print("Unknown tag - ");
      }
      Serial.print("code is: ");   // possibly a good TAG 
      Serial.println(code);            // print the TAG code 
    }
    bytesread = 0; 
    delay(500);                       // wait for half a second
  } 
}

Side note - my dog has an RFID tag implant. Apparently it's not a 125 MHz model, though, because the Parallax board won't read it.

 

[HopBlooded]

Is there anything like that for Perlicks?

Good question, I don't know whether it would work or not. I bet if you called Micromatic they might be able to answer for you.

 

[NewBrewB]

There are locks that fit around the faucet somehow. I think I saw them on morebeer.com or on mdhb.com They're a bit pricey, though, and they only handle one faucet each.... you'd be looking at $250 or so for your 5-faucet setup. Also, each one uses a key so how annoying would that be? How about just locking the room where the kegerator sits?

 

[brewmonk]

can you put a wire or plexi 'muzzle' around your taps?

if the 'kids' are highschool to 50 yrs old, lock up the kegs too

 

[lowriderdog37]

My kegerator is built as a nice piece of furniture that we have on display. The tap locks and plexi cage would work effectively, but I don't want the outside to change at all. Thus the RFID.

Not only because I am lazy, but I live in FL and every time I open the lid it lets more humidity in. That means I have to buy more desiccant.

Yuri_Rage, you planning on hooking that up? Keep us up to date.

 

[mordantly]

most dessicant can be put in the oven for a half hour or something to dry it back out.. i looked into for my safe.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I might do it. It's a significant chunk of change for six+ solenoid valves. As usual, my brain is working faster than my hands, so give me a few months.

 

[kaiser423]

I might do it. It's a significant chunk of change for six+ solenoid valves. As usual, my brain is working faster than my hands, so give me a few months.

:rockin:

God I need to get back into electronic tinkering some more

 

[lowriderdog37]

most dessicant can be put in the oven for a half hour or something to dry it back out.. i looked into for my safe.

Yeah, I need to find one...all I have been able to get a hold of a small bucket of disposable stuff from H-D. I used to have bags of the kitty litter stuff, but don't know what happened to it.

 

[lowriderdog37]

Do you guys really think it's that important to have NSF rated solenoids? Those things are expensive.

 

[mordantly]

the valve is most likely made in china. we know how they like to "cut" so many things with lead and such. national sanitaion tests the product to make sure what is in it is what the manufacturer says is in it.

 

[lowriderdog37]

Yeah, your probably right...I have been thinking though, and what about a valve for a fridge ice machine. Thought?

 

[speedyG]

Ive seen locks that you can attach to your tap....Keg outlet, I think