Keg / Carboy Washer (yes another) . . .

[bbognerks]

This thread inspired me. Just got my aquarium pump yesterday. Hope to start building this weekend. Thanks!

 

[chrislehr]

It's called a Carboy Drying Stand and Northern Brewer (amoung others) carry them - try this URL. I got mine from my LHBS for $8.49.

FYI - Any place that gets a lot of water delivery for offices has these too. I got 3 for FREE from our water guy when I told him I wanted some.

 

[chrislehr]

Im curious - I see the ball lock disconnects on the rig, but the cleaning video looks like you just flipped the keg upside down on the rig... where do the disconnects come into play?

 

[bbognerks]

In the vid, on the left and right are cut outs for the ball locks and hoses to go through. I think you can see part of the tubing on the left side.

 

[Whut]

In the vid, on the left and right are cut outs for the ball locks and hoses to go through. I think you can see part of the tubing on the left side.

Right. The disconnects are to attach to the keg to run cleaner through the In and Out tubes. I modified the lid so the keg would sit level on top of the washer. I'll post a pic here in a bit.

 

[Whut]

Here are three more pics of the washer. First pic you can see how I modified the lid to accommodate the disconnects. Next pic shows how I changed the cleaning tubes from the original design. When they were pointing up the lines would kink (gravity) and the cleaner wouldn't flow. Pointing them down eliminated this issue. Third pic shows how the keg rests flat on top of the washer with the disconnects in the cutouts.

 

[chrislehr]

I made this (minus the keg washing bits) in about 15 minutes for $20 (not including the submersible pump)

Awesome, quick, and going to make a LOT of things easier for me. I will add the keg washing parts very soon.

 

[chrislehr]

 

[Whut]

That is awsome. Nice flow, medium power, very effective. Oh, nice carboy washer too!

 

[milldoggy]

how are the barb's thread into the 90's? do they make threaded 90's?

 

[bbognerks]

how are the barb's thread into the 90's? do they make threaded 90's?

Yes they do.

 

[milldoggy]

simple enough, Thanks, off to home depot to make this. I already have a pump that I used to use for my IC, now that I have a CFC I dont need it. Got CPVC and keg fittings. This should be a cheap one to build.

 

[milldoggy]

ok last question, should beer line work for the keg connectors or should I get something with large ID. I have tons of beer line, thats why I asked. I have a 80 liter/minute pump, so I think that is 1/8 HP. That should be plenty of gusto to push through beer line, dont you think?

 

[bbognerks]

I opted for 1/4" line as it's bigger and the ball locks already have 1/4" barbs anyways. It's only like $2 worth of 1/4" line(6ft).

 

[Whut]

The first pump I tried was a 330gpm pond pump that just couldn't get it done. That's why I went with the one from Harbor Freight.

I either used 3/8" or 1/4" id - just can't remember. Whichever it was it was 10' at HD for only $3 or so.

Good luck and post a pic when you're done!

 

[bbognerks]

I got a 500gph aquarium pump from ebay for $25. Without anything on the output, it was already throwing water ~3' high. I will wet test my copy of this tonight and post back. Still waiting on the carboy stacker before I cut the lid.

 

[bbognerks]

Here is my copy of this. I'll get a better video when I get the top cut etc... Wish I had seen the part about putting the keg elbows facing downwards. Oh well.



I couldn't find a cross, so I used 2 tees.

 

[milldoggy]

assume you mean 330 GPH, not minute, 330 per minute, you got yourself a fire truck
Maximum capacity: 1400 gallons per hour (23 gallons per minute)

My pump is 21 GPM, yours is 23.x, so I should be fine. I glue all the pieces, just letting them sit.

Any suggestions on hole pattern? I sort of just randomly cut holes, is 10 to many, is 4 to little?

 

[Whut]

assume you mean 330 GPH, not minute, 330 per minute, you got yourself a fire truck

Sheesh, yeah you got it right - GPH. GPM would have indeed blown the item being cleaned off the cleaner.

Apologies for not posting this earlier but I eventually removed the cap from the end of the PVC. Strangely enough I get a more even distribution of the cleaner cascading across the top and down the sides than I did with it.

 

[Whut]

I couldn't find a cross, so I used 2 tees.

Two tees were in my original thoughts. In fact, had them in my hand when . . . . . :rockin:

 

[bbognerks]

I have a 80 liter/minute pump, so I think that is 1/8 HP. That should be plenty of gusto to push through beer line, dont you think?

I'm assuming you mean 80 liter/hour here after what others pointed out. That equates to 21 gal/hour. Considering he said the 330 gph pond pump wouldn't do it, I don't think this one would. Might as well try though if you already hav it.

 

[milldoggy]

no 80 liters a minute, 21 gpm.

 

[bbognerks]

I got so confused. Sorry about that. Yes I would say 21 gpm would be plenty considering my measly 9.2 gpm seems to be plenty.

 

[Frodnetso]

Where and how does the spray ball come into play if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Whut]

Where and how does the spray ball come into play if you don't mind me asking?

A spray ball would go on the top of the pipe inside of the carboy. But, I'm not using one.

 

[Frodnetso]

Thanks...

 

[milldoggy]

here is mine, finished it off today. I did not glue the vertical part going into the carboy. It stayed in there just fine. I bolted the carboy driver to the lid. I can reverse it to hold kegs, even ones with one handle. I have a bunch of one handle ones because I need them to fit three in my kegerator.

 

[Whut]

Looks great. I see a Skill saw and some wood, what else you building?

 

[bbognerks]

Nice. Man I wish I would have noticed the downward hose barbs before I glued mine up. Fittings are expensive, lol.

 

[milldoggy]

Just finished my Kal Clone, you can see it in the background. All electric, did my first batch last week, so awesome!. I am putting up at 3x7' piece of plywood on the wall to hang a light, vent and peg board for my hose. I also made some 30 degree angle to help channel drips from my chiller.