Extending beer lines - Seeking advice

[WDT]

Is it ok to put a 3/16 to 3/16 splice and run another 5 foot section? Or is it better to do a continuous run of 10 feet?

The reason I ask is I would have to make or purchase another tool to take the tower apart to get to the lines. Extending the lines would also give me an opportunity to put a shut off valve in the line.

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Related question, what is the life expectancy of beer line? I have been running the same line for about a year now. While discolored a little it still cleans up pretty good. I clean them out after ever other keg.

 

[outside92129]

A few years, longer if you're using barrier line. Some folks replace their vinyl beer line every 12-24 months.

 

[cheezydemon3]

If you do a quality job and even place a shutoff.......that would work!

 

[WDT]

Have you done it before?

 

[cheezydemon3]

No, but it has been done.

A single piece would be more certain to function. If you are not plumbing savvy, I would go with the 1 piece.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Line is cheap enough that I would just do 1 piece. The splice would just provide one more place for anything gross to hide, or a leak to develop. The splice would work, though it might knock some small amount of CO2 out of solution.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Personally, I wouldn't splice it nor would I use a valve. These are just places where turbulence can occur and entice the beer to foam out.

MC

 

[deadfall]

If I were to put a splice in, I'd go with the john guest fittings. It would cause less turbulence and you could take it apart and clean the fitting. It would still be cheaper to just replace the lines.