First regulator what to buy?

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jbsilent

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Hey so I'm switching from bottling to kegging I have one 5 g and have 2 3gallon kegs on the way... I'm planning on maybe 1 or 2 ready to serve and have the other getting ready to rotate. Or carbin one and one on tap but with a picnic spout for now... I don't know what regulator I should get.. What's the top rated not just most expensive? And I planned on atleast having a wye connection for two lines off the one reg.

I like to be cost aware as I'm not loaded by any means but I want a good quality reg. please and thank you for advice
 
You are right to not just go with the cheapest. I've gone through several brands myself and the only ones I have not had problems with are Micromatic premium. I can't say enough good things about them.
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-cid-297.html

I also strongly recommend using 3/16" beer line and 1/4" barbs on all connections both gas and liquid. You will greatly reduce the chances of leaks if do this. It also makes changes easier and you can buy a big spool of tubing at a discount if you plan on more than one tap.

Start with 12' of serving line for each faucet and cut off a foot at a time if it pours too slow for your liking.

Don't leave your tank valve open until you've confirmed that the system, including the kegs, holds pressure reliably.

Welcome to the wonderful world of kegging!
 
I got a taprite dual product and quite happy. Having 2 pressures available is the only option if you're looking at having different styles on tap at the same time. Manifolds are great for splitting up flow, but they only split.

Also would be great if you were to run an auxiliary line out for purging kegs, carbing outside the fridge, etc. If any of this sounds like something you'd like to do at some point in time, get the dual regulator first and not worry about an upgrade later.
 
Soo I can't do 100something just for the regulator right now... Couldn't I get a dual gauge that I could just add another regulator on to the side of later?
 
Soo I can't do 100something just for the regulator right now... Couldn't I get a dual gauge that I could just add another regulator on to the side of later?

Yes, you can add more regulators later.

Brew on :mug:
 
Get that single gauge Micromatic from the link I posted and you can later buy the add-on version they make that just screws onto the first one. If you notice the picture of the dual body regulator they sell, it's actually the dual gauge, and the add-on sold together.

I've never found the second gauge to be worthwhile, so I wouldn't personally pay extra for it, although it's only like a dollar more.
 
the single gauge micromatic is a good choice. You could probably save about $20 with a single gauge Taprite and resell it later when you go bigger and better. Stay away from the dual gauge units that second gauge is strictly cosmetic, as I have never seen one that actually works.
 
Hmm thanks are those taprites good I mean will I have to fix them a lot? Considering the micro matic so I don't have to resell anythig ya know but cheap is always a temptation
 
I have a two-product, three-gauge TapRite. No problems with it. I like being able to have two different dispense pressures or one serving the other one carbing. I also have a second CO2 tank (craigslist find) for set it and forget it caring.
 
Hmm thanks are those taprites good I mean will I have to fix them a lot? Considering the micro matic so I don't have to resell anythig ya know but cheap is always a temptation

I have a couple of Taprite regulators and have never had a problem with them.
 
I really want a two keg single regulator set up but seems they all are dual gauge too so 20-30 more :/ any ideas
 
Pay once, cry once. Get the dual gauge.

This.

I just upgraded to a dual body regulator and am satisfied. You could put the wye on one side for dispensing and carb up another batch at the same time at a different pressure. I bought several co2 tanks off craigslist and often you'll get another regulator with them if you're lucky enough.
 
I just got my whole set up from Keg Connection a few months ago. I payed a few extra dollars for the taprite regulator and have been pleased with it for the two batches I have on tap. I don't know what else you have gotten for your set up yet but I priced out all the individual components of my system and couldn't come close to the package deal that keg connection offered.
 
I have 3 kegs 1 5g 2 3gal I have a 5lb cylinder on the way too(I do 2.5-3gallon batches) the 5g was a gift :) so I just need lines connectors and a reg to keep 2 kegs on tap... I plan on using picnic taps for now
 
I think imma do micromatic dual premium series 76 for single dual gauge reg with wyed 2 key out put
 
You can buy or make a manifold or use a T or Y coupling to split any gas line to as many kegs as you like. Dual pressure capability is a luxury, but not necessary for the majority of home brewers. It's nice to have a second regulator body to leave at a higher pressure for sealing keg lids, but how often really are you using it, and it takes little effort to turn the knob on the nice regs. If you're cost conscious, it's something to think about.

Oh, also if you take my advice and use 3/16" line for everything (seriously consider this, it saves a lot of headaches), you'll need to swap out the barbs that come with the Micromatic for 1/4" ones, so I would reconsider paying an extra $20 for those on the Y version.
 
You can buy or make a manifold or use a T or Y coupling to split any gas line to as many kegs as you like. Dual pressure capability is a luxury, but not necessary for the majority of home brewers. It's nice to have a second regulator body to leave at a higher pressure for sealing keg lids, but how often really are you using it, and it takes little effort to turn the knob on the nice regs. If you're cost conscious, it's something to think about.

I've got a split like that coming off a manifold. I much prefer the manifold with check valves and individual valves. I've got my auxiliary line coming out of the keezer with a T, going to one gas and one beverage connector. This is because it happened to be what I had kicking around for the project. And force carbing bubbling up through the beer is likely not going to cause any problems. Might even speed it up.

Problem arises that there is nothing to prevent a gas exchange between the kegs. This is only a problem when first connecting to the lines until pressures equalize. If I have a keg at 20psi, and the regulator at 20psi then hook a second keg onto the same "run" from the manifold, the keg and regulator will both push into the new keg until it's all equalized again. In my cause it might have also given a shot of Irish Red into a Rye lager. Oops.

I see no reason why this wouldn't happen with gas only connectors. The only catch is that I got to see it happen. This could be a problem with taking that massive IIPA hop aroma and putting it into your palest lightest session beer. Will it absorb? Maybe. Risking it is anybody's call.

Solution to all this is that you disconnect the pressurized keg, then hook up the fresh one. After it's done equalizing and the regulator isn't sending gas anymore, hook the other keg back up. Since the system is now all at the same pressure life should be great and only co2 from the regulator will go down either fork.

Maybe the accusations other people make that I give too much information and long winded is true...
 
The only reason I didn't upgrade to my current setup to begin with was that my first regulators came with the co2 tanks I got on craigslist. Having 2 separate regulators and tanks worked for me to start with so I could "set and forget" carbonate a warm beer while serving two at the same pressure using a manifold in my kegerator.
I got the taprite on sale so it certainly made it easier to purchase the dual body regulator.

View attachment 1420679842311.jpg
 
I'm on a different route now thinking single reg... With a 3way co2 distributor so I can keep my co2 outside and have the 3 way hooked to two kegs and a 3rd like if I wanna force carb... That way all I have to do is close ff the serving lines then crank up pressure
 
Exactly what my setup looks like right now. I have a 3 way manifold from my single body Micromatic going to 3 kegs. I just take one gas line off a keg for a second when I want to seal a lid. I have both my tanks on the outside. I have a Micromatic Nitro regulator too but no split since it's just one tap.
 
I think I may go with a taprite just cuz I can get it off amazon with rest of my order... And I've heard good things too... Getting my beer line and manifold and reg all at once Whatcha think? Found a 3 way with 1/4" barbs for 39 and 30ft of beer line for like 8 bucks and a taprite for 51 I think sound okay?
 
Found a 3 way with 1/4" barbs for 39 and 30ft of beer line for like 8 bucks and a taprite for 51 I think sound okay?

I have a Taprite 3 product *secondary* regulator and it's perfect. Matter of fact, my KegCo primary dual gauge regulator just failed after only the first CO2 tank switchout (after only 7 kegs). Called it in and the company I ordered from will send a replacement. Then I got to thinking I'll probably return it for a refund and go with a Taprite. They're made in the USA and I've never really thought that mattered but I've had too many Made in China pieces of gear fail recently whereas my USA made stuff if still going strong that I'm really starting to think differently.


Rev.
 
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