Dual Beer Engine Keezer using Valterra Rocket hand pumps

[AnchorBock]

It takes a bunch of pulls. To reduce this amount I would reccomend eliminating the linkages and putting the handle directly on the handle of the pump. I think that would take the pumps down to 6 - 8 or so to fill a pint. This is what I did on the earlier beer engine that I made. There is one picture of that beer engine in this thread.

Just got my Veltera hand pump today, hope to start working on building my beer engine setup (have the cooling unit and pump, just need to get some wood and insulation). I noticed that the spout has a strong metallic smell - do you get any off flavors? Also the package had the disclaimer about causing cancer and birth defects - I assume that's from the lead in the brass? I was thinking of replacing the spout with a corny dip tube that I could also bend into a swan neck, but it doesn't quite fit as snugly.

 

[racin_ny]

Also the package had the disclaimer about causing cancer and birth defects - I assume that's from the lead in the brass? I was thinking of replacing the spout with a corny dip tube that I could also bend into a swan neck, but it doesn't quite fit as snugly.

Just cut the original one off short and connect the two with a piece of plastic tubing. If you do the pasivation treatment on the short piece I don't think you have much to worry about.

 

[JayberQue]

okay... i gotta bump this thread... how are you connecting the the diy breather to your cask? or are you using cornies? i cant figure out how to attach it to the shive bung

 

[JayberQue]

okay... i gotta bump this thread... how are you connecting the the diy breather to your cask? or are you using cornies? i cant figure out how to attach it to the shive bung

 

[racin_ny]

I'm using cornies.

 

[racin_ny]

okay... i gotta bump this thread... how are you connecting the the diy breather to your cask? or are you using cornies? i cant figure out how to attach it to the shive bung

Check this link out. I think it will help you attach the breather.

http://www.inndoctor.co.uk/cask-ales/cask-breather-or-aspirator/

 

[AnchorBock]

I'm slowly but surely making progress on my corny "cask" Valtera pump beer engine setup. I have a couple more questions if you don't mind.

How often do you clean out the line/swan neck?

To attach the handle on the original unit did you just drill a hole and jam them over the existing handle (with the rubber knob removed)?

What temp do you keep your freezer at and how long does the beer stay good at the warmer storage temperature?

Thanks

 

[racin_ny]

How often do you clean out the line/swan neck?

If I haven't drawn any beers off in a while I'll pull enough beer to clear and flush the lines.
I usually clean it between keg changes

To attach the handle on the original unit did you just drill a hole and jam them over the existing handle (with the rubber knob removed)?

Yes that is exactly what I did.

What temp do you keep your freezer at and how long does the beer stay good at the warmer storage temperature?

It should be kept at 55 Deg F. All my friends complained that it was warm so I compromised with them and I serve at 42 Deg F I have had a cask on for 6 months and it was still good. The trick is to use the cask breather and only allow in a measured amount of oxygen when first tapping.

 

[Huaco]

Great setup. How's the system working now 4 or 5 years later? Are there any other modifications to the "breather" other than installing barbed fittings to mount inline on CO2 line? Also, what pressure do you keep your regulator set to feeding into the breather?

 

[racin_ny]

Thanks for the question. Its still working. I think I have 10 psi feeding the breather. Some of the things that have changed are the linkages are gone and the handles are hooked up direct to the pump shafts. And I have shortened the suction tube so that very little is out in room temperature air.

 

[racin_ny]

So I am back at it! Here is a picture of where I am at. I will post progress as I go. I have a bar now and the wife says it must match. I am going to finish the top off with curved tin. I will also shorten the suction tube even more. And then put the finishing touches on it and restain a darker color. LOL

 

[ceptic]

Racin, fantastic work and inspiration for a similar build. Have you finished this version and if so care to share some pics?

 

[racin_ny]

Racin, fantastic work and inspiration for a similar build. Have you finished this version and if so care to share some pics?

Thanks for the kind words here are some more pictures.Cheers!

 

[jschein]

Outstanding

 

[racin_ny]

Thank you everyone for all the kind words. I appreciate it and hope I can help make your beer just a little better.