CO2 Quick Disconnect?

[Unicorn_Platypus]

Very interesting, this is definitely something I want to strive towards. I want to have 2-3 beers on hand at all times, but for 8 months of the year I am the only beer drinker in the house... I want to balance what I deem to be an appropriate amount of alcohol intake with not being wasteful, so I'm definitely interested in this tangent. If you are familiar with the Kegland Corny kegs... Are these seals any good, or pure marketing?

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Maybe I'll start a new thread if we continue down this road, but frankly I've already learned a ton from you here! I really appreciate it - just knowing that its possible to extend the shelf life is enough for me for right now. One of my local breweries told me 30 days was the max shelf life of the kegs they sell. I figured most of that was to protect themselves from careless consumers, but didn't have anything else to go off of at the time.

Not familiar with the kegland kegs, but pretty sure its just EPDM rubber on the O rings. You can buy EPDM O rings from here that would fit most corny kegs


https://www.homebrewfinds.com/hands-on-review-valuebrews-epdm-keg-o-rings/

You should pressure test though. Generally the larger O rings will seal all keg lids just fine. The smaller o rings for the gas post and liquid post can be more finicky depending on the brand of keg.


Kegland makes good and innovative stuff in general so I'd assume those are quality.

Most if my kegs are the "old ale" brand from adventures in homebrewing. Those tend to be pretty universal in terms of parts.

I'd recommend avoiding the "torpedo" brand kegs. They can be a PITA for customizing with floating diptubes and other parts as the posts ans o rings aren't as universal

 

[mac_1103]

If you are familiar with the Kegland Corny kegs... Are these seals any good, or pure marketing?

They do what Kegland claims they do. But keep in mind that the testing, while rigorous, was comparing them to silicone rather than other less O2 permeable gaskets, like EPDM or Buna-N. They probably shouldn't have been selling kegs with silicone gaskets for all these years.

 

[IslandLizard]

Just to add to the "What works for me..." I did the same thing with my first kegerator and after running out of CO2 just before the store closed for the weekend (Twice!..and both times a long-weekend!) I decided it would be in my best interest to get another regulator and tank. Transfers, and sanitizing/purging practices can use up a lot of CO2 and how much is not easily predictable. Plus; having a Utility-CO2 rig means that if the kegerator runs out, I have one on hand I can swap it for.
That said, it looks like you're in Canada so here's some bits for your consideration:
https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-inline-gas-disconnect-m.htmlhttps://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-inline-gas-disconnect-f.htmlhttps://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-gas-disconnect-barb.htmlhttps://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-gas-disconnect-coupler.htmlhttps://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-qd-gas-nipple-brass.htmlhttps://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/micro-qd-gas-brass.html

Except the pricing on those fittings seems crazy...
$19 for each male or female end. $40 for a complete coupler set? And those are just plastic ones!

 

[mac_1103]

pretty sure its just EPDM rubber on the O rings

I dunno:

Low2 O-Rings are the new golden yellow standard of homebrew kegs brought to you by KegLand Australia. Why? Because of their unique composition (Synthetic M-Class and Cross-Linked Elastomers), they have superior oxygen barrier properties than that of the previus O-Rings (Silicone). This results in your beverage staying fresher for longer.

Maybe someone who did better in chemistry than I did can weigh in.

 

[Unicorn_Platypus]

I dunno:

Low2 O-Rings are the new golden yellow standard of homebrew kegs brought to you by KegLand Australia. Why? Because of their unique composition (Synthetic M-Class and Cross-Linked Elastomers), they have superior oxygen barrier properties than that of the previus O-Rings (Silicone). This results in your beverage staying fresher for longer.

Maybe someone who did better in chemistry than I did can weigh in.

Kegland is pretty responsive if we sent them an email. I could ask them how they compare to EPDM or BunaN. Now we're going down a tangent LOL

 

[ninkwood]

Except the pricing on those fittings seems crazy...
$19 for each male or female end. $40 for a complete coupler set? And those are just plastic ones!

welcome to Canada

But yeah, even considering the general markup on this kind of stuff up here, these are stupidly expensive. I can order from the USA, but most cases shipping (on small orders) or duties (on large orders) make it unneccesary. Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet

 

[ninkwood]

Kegland is pretty responsive if we sent them an email. I could ask them how they compare to EPDM or BunaN. Now we're going down a tangent LOL

well then I hope @mac_1103 did better in math class than chemistry!

The important thing for me right now is knowing what to look for. You guys are helping me immensely and I really appreciate it!

 

[IslandLizard]

welcome to Canada

But yeah, even considering the general markup on this kind of stuff up here, these are stupidly expensive. I can order from the USA, but most cases shipping (on small orders) or duties (on large orders) make it unneccesary. Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet

I wonder if using regular air compressor couplers could work in this application. Most of those fittings will be brass, but there may be stainless ones too.

I still think the 1/4" MFL bulkhead with the ball lock post on it as shown in @Graham H's post in #11 is the most elegant solution. Yeah, there's yet another ball lock fitting involved you need to keep an eye on for leaks, otherwise it's straight forward.

 

[day_trippr]

I use "air compressor couplers" with my compressed air tools and compressor and generally they are not trustworthy to hold gas one has to purchase. Ie: they leak, often badly.

I went with 1/4" MFL bulkheads through the back of my keezer and topped with ball luck posts, two for CO2, one for beer gas, one to fill my glass rinser reservoir keg and another to vent the rinser waste water catching keg. And all three brewery fridges have bulkheads and posts for CO2 for keg conditioning, cold crash guardians, etc..

Cheers!

 

[IslandLizard]

I use "air compressor couplers" with my compressed air tools and compressor and generally they are not trustworthy to hold gas one has to purchase. Ie: they leak, often badly.

That's what I feared being the case.
Scrap the air compressor fittings idea!

 

[AlexKay]

My approach has been to put an extra and very long gas line with a ball-lock disconnect in each of my keezers, and leave the tank in one spot. (Tanks are safest left alone and chained up, anyhow.)

 

[Broken Crow]

Except the pricing on those fittings seems crazy...
$19 for each male or female end. $40 for a complete coupler set? And those are just plastic ones!

Very pricey! I've wanted to buy them, but chose to go with multiple tanks myself and I'm glad I did, but if I ever change my mind I'll "Buy Once, Cry Once." You might be able to get them cheaper in the US, maybe directly from the MIcroMatic site.

 

[IslandLizard]

You might be able to get them cheaper in the US, maybe directly from the MIcroMatic site.

I'd avoid the Micromatic site for that same reason: heavily marked-up generics.

 

[Broken Crow]

I'd avoid the Micromatic site for that same reason: heavily marked-up generics.

I've tried but failed to find any OEM supplier for those.....yeah, the prices are nuts!

 

[Deric]

I just looked back and I originally bought mine (in 2012) for $13.25 a pair at McMaster Carr. They are currently more than double that at $29.09 a pair.