Procedure for turning on kegging system?

[andy6026]

I've just finished installing my kegging system but I thought I'd best check with those who have done it before to make sure I do the procedure right so that I don't end up with beer in my gaslines or any unsafe accidents.

So what's the correct order to turn things on?

I have a full 10 lbs CO2 tank, a dual-product regulator and off one of the product lines from the regulator is a 3-way gas manifold - each with a shut off valve. Right now I only have 1 keg full of beer hooked up to one of the gas lines coming off the 3-way manifold. The other two off the manifold and the single line off the regulator don't yet have kegs hooked up to them.

Also, any advice on what to do or not to do that may not be intuitive in order to avoid messes, CO2 leaks, or unsafe accidents would also be appreciated. I'm always a little nervous of any gasses under pressure so wanted to double chack here.

Thanks!

 

[b-boy]

The first thing I would do is test for leaks - especially with a 10-lb tank. Turn on your CO2, pressurize the system, pour a few beers for yourself, turn off the CO2, let it sit overnight. Come back in the morning and look at your gauges. If they are still fully pressurized, you probably don't have leaks. If not, tighten everything down and do this again until you've fixed your leaks. They can be anywhere, and can be difficult to find.

You may want to do this with your kegs disconnected to make sure nothing in the gas side is leaking. Once you're OK with that, hook up your kegs and do the test again.

I wish I had know this my first time. I went through 2 tanks of CO2 before I got everything leak-proof.

 

[hunter_le five]

There's not really a whole lot to it.

Make sure everything's hooked up properly.
Turn the gas dial on the tank to Open.
Set the regulator to the desired PSI.
Open the regulator valve.
Open the manifold port that leads to the attached keg. Leave the other two closed.
You will hear the gas build up inside the keg as it equalizes.
Check the regulator again, and adjust pressure as necessary.

If you do something out of order, it's not going to blow up or cause anything catastrophic to happen, so don't worry.

The manifold and shutoff valves really aren't even necessary; they're mostly there "just in case".

 

[ontum]

First I would hook everything up and leave everything in the shut off position. Then I would turn on the regulator and listen for leaks. Then I would go down the line towards the keg and listen for leaks at every step. This isn't necessary, but I've found that the most common time to have a leak is after you have changed lines around or racked a new keg. I have found the biggest source of leaks to be the kegs themselves. It really sucks to hook up a new keg and think everything is great. And then go to pull a pint the next day and have zero pressure with an empty CO2 tank. I also have a spray bottle of star san handy to spray every fitting, seal on keg, ball lock, valve, and pressure relief that I use everything I time I change anything or add a new keg. I've found that most leaks can be discovered by spraying the star san and looking for bubbles.

I don't think you need to be too worried about accidents. The regulator should protect against any crazy pressure getting to your lines and kegs, and everything in you system should be rated for the kinds of pressures you are dealing with.

Regards,
Craig

PS Also be aware that you may a glass light bulb in your fridge. I found out the hard way with a racking cane and an open keg. Now I have a more solid LED in my fridge to avoid glass in my beer.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Don't forget to Burp keg.After racking to keg hook everything up,pressurize keg.Open bleeder on tap and repeat a few times.This will get the o2 out of the keg and prevent off flavors.

 

[andy6026]

Great! I turned everything on and it appears to be working fine. I sprayed some soapy water around all the fittings and did have to tighten the connections on the keg gas disconect. I'm glad everyone suggested to especially watch out for that.

It feels like I'm new to homebrewing all over again - I keep openning the fridge every ten minutes just to look at it, just like I watched the fermenter like a hawk after my first brew day.

Thanks everybody!