Co2 distributors....diy?

[Turfgrass]

Anyone making these with some brass fitting from the local hardware store? I know you can by them, but some reviews don’t look to positive, or the come with 1/4” barbs and not 5/16”. Thanks.

 

[TechFanMD]

I bought this on Amazon and it was very well made, and mine was clean inside. The valves have check valves that worked well when tested.

I immediately took it out of the box and connected it to CO2 and put the manifold in a bucket of water and tested it to 60psi. I detected no leaks. I hooked up to try to blow backwards through each valve when open, no leakthrough.

When I was looking, I felt the same way and almost built my own, but the cost didn't make sense even if I had to disassemble and clean whatever I got.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N55ZBZW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[tll77]

If your end goal is simply a cheaper distributor than you could buy off the shelf, you may not get there. But, if you build it yourself because you want something unique that you can't find as easily, then absolutely you can make it with fittings.

I wanted my gas distribution system a certain way and was not interested in compromise so I built my own. I used tees, close nipples, shut-offs with built in check valves, pressure relief valves, 5/16 barbs, all in 1/4 inch. It was not cheap, I can find links to the pieces I used if anyone is interested. I made 2 two-ways and 1 four-way, with 2 secondary regulators, gives me 8 gas connections with three pressures between them.

The hardest part is getting all the fittings to line up straight while sealing tight. I skipped the teflon tape altogether and used thread-locking sealant.
I'm at work now, but can take a photo when I get home if you wanna see it.

 

[Turfgrass]

I bought this on Amazon and it was very well made, and mine was clean inside. The valves have check valves that worked well when tested.

I immediately took it out of the box and connected it to CO2 and put the manifold in a bucket of water and tested it to 60psi. I detected no leaks. I hooked up to try to blow backwards through each valve when open, no leakthrough.

When I was looking, I felt the same way and almost built my own, but the cost didn't make sense even if I had to disassemble and clean whatever I got.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N55ZBZW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I picked up the 4-way from Amazon. Thx

 

[TechFanMD]

I picked up the 4-way from Amazon. Thx

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you have the same experience that I had.

 

[day_trippr]

Good call. Teeing a bunch of shutoffs together just doesn't seem like a winner given the leak potential.
I have 4-way manifolds in each of my three fridges and a 6-way in my keezer. All with integrated checks, and none of them leak. Totally worth the modest cost...

Cheers!

[edit/ps] I'm not sure where the 5/16" gas line paradigm originated but it's unnecessary. I run 1/4" braided Tygon for all of my gas distribution, and all of my manifolds have 1/4" MFL ports to which I fit 1/4" swivel nuts/barbs...

Cheers!

 

[tll77]

Also with integrated checks, prv, and rigorously tested for leaks before install.

And, yeah, I also have no idea where the 5/16 convention for co2 line came from, but I stuck with it. In fact, on our coffee kegerator at work I used 3/8 lldpe with john guest fittings.

 

[day_trippr]

That's a serious collection of threaded brass right there
Good for you for getting it all gas tight

 

[LittleRiver]

I know someone who made his manifold by capping a piece of pvc pipe on each end, then drilling/tapping to mount Harbor Freight ball valves. That was probably 5-6 years ago, it's still working and not leaking.

 

[Jtk78]

http://www.ritebrew.com/category-s/1911.htm

Cheapest place I've found on manifolds. I have 4 of then, and zero leaks