Problems with kegorator to home brew setup

[psotos]

Hey guys!

I bought this kegorator:
Nostalgia Electrics KRS2100 Kegorator Beer Keg Fridge, Black
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HJVYDQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

It works amazing with a Sanke type setup. However, we want to drink our brews which we have been waiting for so long for and are finally ready. So we bought this keg:
Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon, Pin Lock
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V5HUIG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Then we realized, wait we can't hook this thing up! So we then bought this:
Sanke Tap to Homebrew Conversion Kit, Pin Lock Disconnects
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KLB8LC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The problem is that the @#$%^& gas hose that came with the above mentioned kegorator is TOO SMALL and won't fit on the conversion kit.

So now my plan is to buy another regulator:
Premium Pro Series Dual Gauge Co2 Draft Beer Regulator
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJDPUKG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

So that we can carb one beer and drink another. :rockin:

The problem is that getting tubing which will fit (what size do we get?) and is food grade. I saw a LOT of complaints on amazon by customers who ordered "alleged" food grade tubing which DID NOT HAVE FOOD GRADE TUBING marks on it and made their beer taste bad and plasticy. LOL

So my questions are:
1) is this the right regulator?
2) Where can I get some SERIOUS quality food grade tubing for Co2 gas
3) What size should the tubing be?
4) How long should the tubing be? (I remember seeing some posts on this board about getting 10' of tubing so the beer pours best)

Thanks for all of your help in advance!

 

[zach976]

Have you tried putting the tip of your tubing in boiling water to soften it up before trying to push it on your gas fitting? The length of the gas line doesn't matter, it's the beer line that matters. Depending on your system, pressure you're running will determine the length of your beer line. 10' should be fine.


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[b-boy]

Yep - heat the tubing. Either boil it, use a heatgun, or in a pinch hit it with a lighter. It will usually soften enough to fit over the connector.

If that doesn't work, you don't need a new regulator, just a smaller barb for your existing regulator. It should screw right in.

 

[psotos]

I did try and heat the tubing under hot water from the kitchen faucet but its not even close in size. Finding the correct sized barb appears to be a challenge. We went to Home Depot and the guy said its some non-standard size in that kegorator. He said we would have to find some kind of refrigeration company to find the size we needed.

Anyway I am going to try the boiling method right now. Please pray! LOL

If that doesnt work I am going with plan A described above, so if anyone knows about finding good Food Grade tubing that would be helpful.

 

[psotos]

Ok operation biol failed. The tubing is just not even close to the correct size.

 

[zach976]

All I've seen is 5/16" and 1/4" air line. Check out a Homebrew supply store.


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[pablosbrewing]

Sounds like you may want the one with 1/4" barb. I would bet the kit included a 5/16".

http://www.amazon.com/Barbed-Swivel-Nut-Flare-Barb/dp/B006O93CLU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1399592368&sr=8-4&keywords=1%2F4+mfl+swivel

Local welding supply is another good resource to visit. They are the gas pros.

 

[psotos]

Sounds like you may want the one with 1/4" barb. I would bet the kit included a 5/16".

http://www.amazon.com/Barbed-Swivel-Nut-Flare-Barb/dp/B006O93CLU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1399592368&sr=8-4&keywords=1%2F4+mfl+swivel

Local welding supply is another good resource to visit. They are the gas pros.

Wow! Great find! Thanks!

 

[cease]

I bought the same kegerator off of Craig's List and had to make a few modifications before it would work the way I wanted it too.

It comes standard with a small air hose with a green female to the regulator, this will never fit on a pin-lock connector. Remove that small valve from the regulator along with the barb, you need to get a new valve and barb and a new air line which you will then connect your grey pin-lock connector too. I also replaced the beer line completely with a 10' line to avoid foam.

I also turned the thermostat adjusting screw one full turn, replaced the small 2.5 lb CO2 tank for a 5 lb, ran some 1/2" copper tubing up the tower to keep the tower line colder, new Perlick 525 faucet (the other kept getting stuck) and also split the regulator so I can get two kegs going at the same time.

PM me if you want more details of the changes I made with pics etc. I got all parts from my local brew shop but they can all be found online for cheaper.


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[psotos]

Man this is really stumping me. So the new regulator doesnt work.
It has a 5/16ths hook up which is what I thought my CO2 line is. Nope. My CO2 line is 1/4. So the Kegorator that I bought has a Non - standard size hose. So that 1/4 barb that I thought would do the trick doesnt work either.

Premium Pro Series Dual Gauge Co2 Draft Beer Regulator
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJDPUKG/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 VJKN

I dont blame pablosbreweing for recommending the 1/4 barb, he had no idea my line would be non standard. But both parts are worthless junk to me. So sad. Now I need to get yet another regulator, maybe I can exchange this one.

 

[cease]

You did not need a new regulator but to change the connection on the existing regulator to a barb or a splitter if you want the ability to serve two kegs. The valve with the red handle comes off with a wrench, when you connect your barb use Teflon tape to avoid leaks.


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[psotos]

The setup that came with my kegorator is weird. It has the following connector:

Ok so I could just dismount the bottom valve. Anyway, I might only be able to exchange the regulator. If that is the case its not a total loss. Or just buy a connector with a 1/4 inch barb if I cant exchange it.

 

[cease]

The valve on the first pick screws off. Take that off and replace with a barb for your gas line. I have been using the same regulator.


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