Jockey Box versus Portable CO2 charger

[gritmaster]

I'd like to start bringing a corny keg to gatherings. I think the two main options would be a jockey box versus one of those portable CO2 keg chargers.

With the charger, I wouldn't have to bring a CO2 tank, but I'd have to ice the keg. With the jockey box, I would need to bring a tank/regulator, but I don't think I'd need to ice the keg (b/c I wouldn't bring the keg to any high pour rate situations).

I wouldn't be doing this that frequently either (a few times/year).

I have 50' of stainless steel coil laying around (old immersion wort chiller), and an old Igloo cooler, so for the jockey box, I'd just need a shank and a faucet. Thus the price between the two options would be relatively similar.

What would you do?

 

[deanfootlong]

portable c02 charger.

 

[gritmaster]

Out of curiosity: Why?

 

[boo boo]

I have the portable and find it perfect. Less cumbersome to drag around and like you say, the only big disadvantage is keeping the beer cold. That isn't usually a problem around my locale.

 

[mattd2]

I don't understand the question. The jockey box is for the beer side and the charger is for the gas side, so you could use both at once (unless you are saying if you are lugging round a jockey box it is not much extra effort to throw a 5 lb tank in there aswell?)

 

[gritmaster]

I don't understand the question. The jockey box is for the beer side and the charger is for the gas side, so you could use both at once (unless you are saying if you are lugging round a jockey box it is not much extra effort to throw a 5 lb tank in there aswell?)

My understanding is that pushing beer through 50-foot of line requires a pretty high PSI on the regulator, and thus you need the tank.

The head pressure in the keg, plus the bursts from the charger, aren't enough to push the beer through the jockey box line. Maybe I'm wrong?!?

I'd just use 5 foot of beer line in conjunction w/ a charger.

 

[P-J]

I do this:

3 gallon keg in a 10 gallon cooler. Co² - 12oz paintball tank and mini regulator.
The cooler holds enough ice to keep the beer cold for a couple days.

 

[gritmaster]

I do this:

3 gallon keg in a 10 gallon cooler. Co² - 12oz paintball tank and mini regulator.
The cooler holds enough ice to keep the beer cold for a couple days.

P-J that's awesome!

If I had a 2.5gal keg, I would totally do that - but trying to keep costs at a minimum while "choosing" the best/easiest method to bring a 5-gal corny w/ me.

 

[ExHempKnight]

I plan on using a portable charger, a faucet on the beer-out post, and a Keglove.

 

[gritmaster]

I plan on using a portable charger, a faucet on the beer-out post, and a Keglove.

Do you think the faucet on the keg (I'm assuming you are thinking of http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=2270) will cause foam since most people recommend 5 or 6 foot of beer line between keg and faucet?

 

[P-J]

Do you think the faucet on the keg (I'm assuming you are thinking of http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=2270) will cause foam since most people recommend 5 or 6 foot of beer line between keg and faucet?

Take a look at this thread for the fix to that problem:
The cure for your short hose troubles

It works very well.

 

[gritmaster]

Take a look at this thread for the fix to that problem:
The cure for your short hose troubles

It works very well.

I actually use the mixers now - the flow rate from my picnic tap is pretty slow, but never ever any foam, which is what I want.

So what I'm thinking now is to do exactly what ExHempKnight said, using the mixers in liquid out tube in conjunction w/ a the ball lock tap and the co2 charger + the keg wrap.

No ice bath and no big CO2 tank!! (of course, now this will cost $50 more than I planned)

 

[jason.mundy]

I do this:

3 gallon keg in a 10 gallon cooler. Co² - 12oz paintball tank and mini regulator.
The cooler holds enough ice to keep the beer cold for a couple days.

P-J,

Thanks for the picks. I am planning to do this myself. I have a friend who was using the paintball CO2 tank to provide gas for his Jockeybox. I thought it would be nice to have a self contained Scotty and gas inside of a 5 or 10 gallon cooler. Looks like 10 gallon gives you plenty of room.

I think this would be great for a party, picnic, or camping.

Here is my price list. Let me know if anything looks out of line.

Tank + adapter + regulator = $80
The Adapter - CO2 Regulator to Paintball Tank Adapter

Keg + Gas Disconnect + Liquid Disconnect =$132
Brand New 3 Gallon Cornelius Keg - Ball Lock

3 1/8" Shank + Tail piece + Self closing faucet = $33
3 1/8 Inch Shank for Faucet

10 Gallon coolers are about $70 on Amazon.

 

[postalbunny]

I do this:

3 gallon keg in a 10 gallon cooler. Co² - 12oz paintball tank and mini regulator.
The cooler holds enough ice to keep the beer cold for a couple days.

Any issue with having the regulator inside the cooler with ice (water damage)? I was considering the same setup, but using the cup holder on the outside to hold the paintball tank, and running the gas line through a small hole.

 

[postalbunny]

Also... Just bought two 10 gallon coolers at home depot for $40 a pop, same price at Lowes.

 

[P-J]

Any issue with having the regulator inside the cooler with ice (water damage)? I was considering the same setup, but using the cup holder on the outside to hold the paintball tank, and running the gas line through a small hole.

No issues. I keep the level of the ice/water about 2/3 up on the keg. The regulator is suspended at the top of the keg.

Keep in mind that the beer is drawn from the bottom of the keg so it is not necessary to have the whole thing submerged and packed with ice.