Maximum psi needed for co2 regulator

[Rod Hobbs]

I have two kegs and planning one one or two more. I have a 20 lb co2 tank. I can get a taprite low pressure regulator that goes to 30 psi for about $30 cheaper than the regular one (60 psi). Question is, would I need more than 30 psi for anything?

 

[gnef]

Short answer, is yes if you ever want to burst force carbonate at room temperature.

If you always chill before carbonating, then you don't need the additional capacity.

I personally always do a bit of burst carbing when I transfer to the keg, and at room temp I do this just under 50 psi for a bit to kick start the carbonating process. This gets me close to full carb, and then I just let it equilibriate in the walk-in, and then set it for my serving and carbing pressure to equalize at the volumes I like to serve at.

 

[IslandLizard]

Wait!

Is that "low pressure regulator" a primary or a secondary regulator? I've never seen primary regs only going to 30 psi, most go to 50 or 60.

If it is indeed a primary, 30 psi is plenty for force carbonating. I never go any higher, but I do roll the kegs until the gas stops rushing in. Then keep it under 20 psi for 12 hours, before I bleed it off and set to 12 psi for dispensing.

30 psi should be just enough to feed secondary regs too, I think they need about 6-10 psi difference to work properly.

 

[Rod Hobbs]

Wait!

Is that "low pressure regulator" a primary or a secondary regulator? I've never seen primary regs only going to 30 psi, most go to 50 or 60.

If it is indeed a primary, 30 psi is plenty for force carbonating. I never go any higher, but I do roll the kegs until the gas stops rushing in. Then keep it under 20 psi for 12 hours, before I bleed it off and set to 12 psi for dispensing.

30 psi should be just enough to feed secondary regs too, I think they need about 6-10 psi difference to work properly.

It’s a taprite.
https://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Tap...ator_30_PSI_p/taprite-low-t-bar-regulator.htm

 

[Sparkncode]

It looks like it should work given it is high preassure in 2000psi. They claim easier adjustment due to low preassure but that sounds like marketing bs.

I went with a more common 60PSI regulator to give me more margin with secondary regulators. I'm up to 3 secondary regulators now. One gets set to 30 to 35 for burst carbing the others for different beer styles and as a bonus I can feed the upto 60PSI straight to a keg of water for soda water.

 

[IslandLizard]

OK, it's a "primary" regulator, indeed, that's good.

There are usually around 6-8 "half turns" on the reg. screw. So you can adjust somewhat more precisely, which is not really needed for our purposes, but it won't harm.
As @Sparkncode mentioned, you may not be able to carbonate soda water as quickly or thoroughly.

I had one Oat Mild that even at 40 psi was barely carbonated, but that's an unusual case.

For reference, the price you linked to seems comparable to a place like RiteBrew.com. You guys probably can't order from them without hitting customs and extraordinary shipping charges.
Their kegging stuff is very reasonably priced, alas at U.S. $. I bought most of my kegging stuff from them, except kegs, and is still my first goto shop for those things.

I just looked at Ritebrew and their single body regulator seems to be the same as yours, also 30 psi. I never realized those single body ones are lower psi. The double body one is 2x 60 psi, but has been out of stock for the past few weeks, possibly longer. I do like the knobs over the T-bar.

I love my double body regs, as I can force carbonate with the 2nd one while the rest remains at dispensing pressure. Or use the 2nd one for "utility" work, purging kegs, etc.

 

[bigplunkett]

The lizard has spoken.

 

[IslandLizard]

The lizard has spoken.

Oh, cr@p, now I've done it. Will I be plunkett for that?

 

[day_trippr]

Oh hells yes!

Cheers! (consider yourself plunketted )