Line Length

[jmart84]

I'm trying to determine how much length to use for my beverage tubing in my kegerator setup. I live at 6000 feet and am using 3/16 tubing. Is there a rule of thumb for determining line length as it pertains to elevation? Thanks.

 

[day_trippr]

Dispensing systems are closed until the faucet spout. I don't think altitude should matter much if at all.

Go here for the only beer line length calculator worth using, but generally you'll find good results with one foot of 3/16" ID PVC beer line per PSI of CO2 pressure.

And the CO2 pressure, of course, should be set per our friendly carbonation table. Pick a temperature, scan that row for your desired level of carbonation (expressed as "volumes of CO2", where a typical ale might be carbed to around 2.4-2.5 volumes), then go up that column to find the proper pressure.

Plug that value into the line length calculator and you can't go wrong...

Cheers!

 

[UpstateMike]

It won't hurt to go longer on lines either, maybe resulting in a slightly slower pour. Plus, it is easier to cut lines to a shorter length than it is to make a line longer. And the type of line you use is also a factor. If you use vinyl, the chart will be good for you, but if you use something like Bev Seal Ultra I have heard you may have to increase length 30 - 50% due to less resistance.

 

[zachattack]

Dispensing systems are closed until the faucet spout. I don't think altitude should matter much if at all.

Where altitude comes into play is the CO2 regulator since it controls the pressure relative to the atmosphere (gauge pressure).

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-altitude-pressure-d_462.html

At 6,000 feet the atmospheric pressure is 11.8 psia, compared to 14.7 psia at sea level here in MA. So if I set my regulator for 10 psig, I'll be applying 24.7 psia to my keg, but for OP he'd only be applying 22.8. So basically he'd just want to add 2 psi to the result from any carbonation chart or calculator, and then balance the system based off of that higher pressure.

 

[doug293cz]

Where altitude comes into play is the CO2 regulator since it controls the pressure relative to the atmosphere (gauge pressure).

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-altitude-pressure-d_462.html

At 6,000 feet the atmospheric pressure is 11.8 psia, compared to 14.7 psia at sea level here in MA. So if I set my regulator for 10 psig, I'll be applying 24.7 psia to my keg, but for OP he'd only be applying 22.8. So basically he'd just want to add 2 psi to the result from any carbonation chart or calculator, and then balance the system based off of that higher pressure.

+1 This is the correct way to compensate for high altitudes.

Brew on