Line length and all that.

[IrregularPulse]

I'm sorry. I'm having trouble, under pressure and want some reassurance.
Redoing my lines for my keezer for a new years party. I have 20ft of 3/16 ID tubing from micromatic.
10psi on the regulator at 41degrees.I have 38.5" (3.2') between the bottom of the keg and the middle of my taps in my tap box. Calculators are telling me 3.5ft. That seems way too short. Help me please. I've just not seen anyone mention having success with lines under 5'. I hope I'm wrong. Just need some clarification and reassurance. Before I just used 10' of 1/4"ID lines and set to 12psi. Beer was fine but foamed like a half glass most of the time. We just dealt with it.
Thanks

 

[boogyman]

You'll definitely need more than 3 feet for your line. If i remember correctly, a general rule of thumb is ~1 foot of 1/36id line per 1 psi (not including height differences). With your setup, I'm guessing you'd need about 10 feet of tube, but you'd also need to set your psi at around 12 or so to make up for the height difference.

If it makes any difference, my setup is 8 feet of line at 12 psi (3/16id line) with no height difference between keg and faucet -- i've had perfect pours nearly every glass.

 

[IrregularPulse]

If I up my PSI to 12 that will carb my beer more than I want. I used 5ft and all seems to be well. Much nice than the 10ft of 1/4" I had before. The inside of my keezer is so much cleaner
After I test these lines over the next couple weeks, I want to test the 3.5' just to see how it does. But want to make sure I'm ok with what I have first.

 

[Reelale]

I'm sure you've used this calculator from micromatic, since that's the beer line you have. http://www.micromatic.com/direct-draw-draft-beer-system-aid-121.html. Assuming you have no shank and tube hardware, it says you can use as short as 2.8 feet with your PSI. That does seem pretty short.

 

[david_42]

Ignore the calculators. Use 10' of 3/16ths line and you'll be fine 98% of the time. The only penalty of a long line is a slightly slower pour.

 

[duffman2]

Ignore the calculators. Use 10' of 3/16ths line and you'll be fine 98% of the time. The only penalty of a long line is a slightly slower pour.

Can this line be bought at the hardware store? I want to try longer line (I have 5 ft now) but don't know if I should buy the online (kegconnections, micromatic) line or just go with the vinyl tubing they have at the Depot.

 

[pilotdane]

My local Lowes only stocks the thin wall tubing. The tubing I bought from Keg Connection had a much thicker wall, but in a pinch I'm sure the thinner wall stuff would work. It's not under that much pressure (famous last words?).

 

[IrregularPulse]

Actual beer line has a much smoother inside then something you'll buy a lowes or HD. That stuff will cause more foaming due to that.

Throwing 10 ft on there is an option, but it's not 'right'. the 5 ft seems to be giving me great pours with not enough head if anything. I think after the party tomorrow night I will throw a 3.5' line on one of the taps as an experiment.