Ok, need help before I order the wrong thing

[AlwaysWaven]

Ok, this is a continuation from this thread - https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=631566

Before I order the five way version of this - http://www.northernbrewer.com/4-way-co2-distributor-w-1-4-mfl-shutoffs

Do I need 1/4th or 3/16 tubing? I think what is in there now is 1/4 but since I am redoing I do not mind changing it all over.

I have researched this question and found answers ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Thanks in advance

 

[IslandLizard]

You're ordering from the wrong place... Ritebrew.com has much better pricing on all this stuff. Shipping is very reasonable too, and fast.

Check this 4-Way Gas Distributor - MFL.

MFL connections mean you'll need swivel nuts too, they're not barbs. I like the swivel nut/MFL connections since it's easy to remove to clean or swap a line.

When you order 1/4" barb swivel nuts, you can use either 3/16" or 1/4" beverage hose (Bevlex 200) for you gas lines. They're transparent so at any time you can see if beer has backed up.

The red "gas tubing" is not transparent, and is 5/16" ID. If you want to use that instead, you'll need 5/16" swivel nuts.

Don't forget to get clamps too. A line without a clamp will leak or come off.

Hope this puts you on the right track.

PS: I see you want a 5-channel manifold/distributor. You can either get the 6-way version or add a gas valve at the end of the 4-way one, removing the plug.

PPS: If you want the "Taprite" manifold, with the brass shutoffs, Keg Connection is probably your best bet, although you may find the same elsewhere for a bit less. Allegedly the brass shut offs are better than the chrome ones, but I have not compared them or seen hard evidence. I use the chrome ones from RiteBrew.

 

[AlwaysWaven]

Ok, that is a lot of help and a great find on a cheaper distributor. http://www.ritebrew.com/product-p/843668.htm or https://www.kegconnection.com/air-distributor-6-way-with-check-valves/

So, do you recommend 1/4th hose or 3/16 hose?

 

[IslandLizard]

Ok, that is a lot of help and a great find on a cheaper distributor. http://www.ritebrew.com/product-p/843668.htm

So, do you recommend 1/4th hose or 3/16 hose?

Ritebrew is as good as it gets for most brewing stuff, especially for common higher $ items like kegging and dispensing equipment. I must have an ongoing shopping cart with them for some reason.

3/16" Bevlex hose is the most suitable for dispensing beer (at nominal lengths of 12-15') from a keezer or kegerator at 12-15 psi pressures without excessive foaming.* It's just as fine for gas supply (hidden secret?).

Using 1/4" or 5/16" tubing for gas has no real advantage over 3/16" unless you need more gas quickly. 3-6 seconds extra on 3/16" will get you the same...

*For dispensing (beer), I use the Bev-Seal Ultra tubing, with push-in John Guest adapters on the QDs and shanks.

 

[AlwaysWaven]

Man, you are knowledgeable and concise! Much thanks!

 

[IslandLizard]

YVW!

These forums are a great resource. The information is out there, but as you said, not all in one place. It took me a while to understand the pros and cons of all those pieces and what I needed.