Mini-Mini Keg and Keg Pump

[CDGoin]

One of these days I will try to write an article on the ins and outs of the 5L kegs.. and all the different varieties of ways that they can be modified.

OH as for where did I get the pumps.. Beveragefactory had best prices but they dont seem to have them anymore. Did find them still available at Micro-matic:

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/keg-pump-parts-cid-219.html

 

[Cdburkhart]

I think that is a great idea. I think my favorite thing about mini kegs is how flexible they are and how there is not just one right answer, just the solution that works best for your application

 

[CDGoin]

Yep.. what I like about my solution is that it seems to be the only one with a hand pump

I must think different than others.

My other "invention" I am trying to get some ideas on and I would love feed back:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/worth-investment-403125/

BTW Please read the whole thread.. before posting. I address many comments earlier in the thread towards the end

 

[Cdburkhart]

So I tired venting the keg by turning it upside down and it worked out pretty well.

I would still do it in a sink and maybe have a towel handy as a a shield.

 

[fluidmechanics]

One of these days I will try to write an article on the ins and outs of the 5L kegs.. and all the different varieties of ways that they can be modified.

OH as for where did I get the pumps.. Beveragefactory had best prices but they dont seem to have them anymore. Did find them still available at Micro-matic:

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/keg-pump-parts-cid-219.html

I asked where to buy it because everywhere I have found the 3" plastic pump it says the threads are 3/4 18 including the one on micromatic. As I see in the pic you used a 1/2 inch T with it threaded directly in. Are the specs mislabeled or is there something I'm missing?

 

[CDGoin]

I asked where to buy it because everywhere I have found the 3" plastic pump it says the threads are 3/4 18 including the one on micromatic. As I see in the pic you used a 1/2 inch T with it threaded directly in. Are the specs mislabeled or is there something I'm missing?

Its possible they are the same and different threads that are close enough.

The 1/2" Tee is a plumbing Tee, and its 1/2" IF thread.. which may work out to a 3/4" -1/8 Male. All I know is that they fit, it is a "little" loose when you first screw it in, but in the end its tight enough to work and tight enough to get a seal with the gasket.

 

[fluidmechanics]

Thanks that was what I was thinking but I wanted to make sure.

 

[CDGoin]

Just don't over tighten (the plastic ones). The metal ones seem to tighten up perfect and can lift the mini-keg with. The Plastic ones tend to be more delicate, but if you tighten well and hold with the Tee, they don't give you any problems.

 

[fluidmechanics]

I found this thread: http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90461 and I was thinking about fitting the top bung of the non Heineken/Newcastle keg with a bung and presta valve as he did for head pressure, but use the tap in the bottom that comes with that keg. Kind of combining both ideas. Anybody see any issues with that?

 

[CDGoin]

Actually someone posted on this thread a few pages back about doing something similar.

 

[Cdburkhart]

I thought about something like that and ran across someone who said they got a lot of foam that way...

 

[CDGoin]

If you over compress mine you can also get a lot of foam.

Best to use it to just push the beer out and not compress it out, at first.

Then at about 1/3 empty you can compress.

Being so small though, unlike a regular keg.. you get a good flow just pushing the beer out. By that I mean hold open the spigot and then pump, instead of pumping for compression and then opening the tap.