Tracking beers from keg

[RichardM]

i was just wondering if anyone had a good way of keeping up with the level in a keg? It would help knowing when to have another batch ready.

 

[day_trippr]

RaspberryPints is a software tap list that enables keg volume tracking via flow meters.
I've been running it for a few years now, works great, totally eliminates surprises

Cheers!

 

[yowzers]

I just Googled Keg Level Indicator and came up with the following two options on the first page:

www.ballandkeg.com
www.kegbot.org

The Ball and Keg looks to be a low tech option while Kegbot is like the Rasberry Pints idea.

 

[user 70770]

RaspberryPints is a software tap list that enables keg volume tracking via flow meters.
I've been running it for a few years now, works great, totally eliminates surprises

View attachment 554207



Cheers!

Damn that’s sexy! Although I don’t brew enough to ever warrant such a dispensing setup, your setup really appeals to my inner beer drinking tech nerd.

 

[Wash1]

I've been using the keg level indicator from www.ballandkeg.com for quite a while (just over a year), and while I like it, it has it's limitations.
Pros: It's cheap and easy to maintain. It does show you the level in the keg.
Cons: In order to see the level in the keg, you have to open the kegerator and find the ball on the side. If you move the keg at all (even a little), the ball will fall off and you have to reposition it.

That's my 2 cents (FWIW)!

 

[apl_seed]

Always have another batch ready!

 

[RichardM]

I suppose that’s always a good option .

 

[JohnSand]

I use a bit of rustic engineering that works.
Each keg has a strip of masking tape on the side. I open the kegerator (mine is a 4.4 cu.ft. fridge) rub the tape to warm it, then check the temp with an infrared thermometer. Where the temp cools sharply is the beer level. The thermometer costs $18, the tape was on hand. This process might be a hassle if your kegs are tightly packed in a chest freezer. I tried to use the condensation line, but it's unreliable. The tape is necessary because the temperature gun won't read on shiny surfaces. The gun has other uses, checking ferment temp, finding temps in the basement for natural temperature control, even checking the crawlspace and eaves during cold spells.

 

[pigroaster]

I use my infra red thermometer to check axles and brakes when I pull fifth wheel rv.

I use a bit of rustic engineering that works.
Each keg has a strip of masking tape on the side. I open the kegerator (mine is a 4.4 cu.ft. fridge) rub the tape to warm it, then check the temp with an infrared thermometer. Where the temp cools sharply is the beer level. The thermometer costs $18, the tape was on hand. This process might be a hassle if your kegs are tightly packed in a chest freezer. I tried to use the condensation line, but it's unreliable. The tape is necessary because the temperature gun won't read on shiny surfaces. The gun has other uses, checking ferment temp, finding temps in the basement for natural temperature control, even checking the crawlspace and eaves during cold spells.

 

[jalc6927]

When I fall asleep or drop my mug I’ve drank enough

And when the foam comings screaming out, keg is empty

 

[PADave]

How about just lifting them up and judging how full it is? My theory is always have at least one ready, if not two.

 

[TravelingLight]

RaspberryPints is a software tap list that enables keg volume tracking via flow meters.
I've been running it for a few years now, works great, totally eliminates surprises

View attachment 554207



Cheers!

What flow meters are you using? I've wanted to setup something like that but I've heard it's hard to find reliable flow meters. I've also heard they aren't super accurate because the carbonation throws them off. Have you had any issues? I really want to implement something like this but haven't found anyone point to any available reliable meters. Thanks dude.

 

[day_trippr]

I built my system years ago when the flow meter update was first released, and back then there was an eBay seller with a couple hundred "lightly used" SwissFlow SF800 meters for $20 a pop. I picked up enough for my six faucets plus a couple of spares and the rest were snapped up by RaspberryPints users in a couple of weeks. I've never seen anything similar since - once the guy ran out that was pretty much it.

The SF800 accuracy is phenomenal. I start each fresh keg using its net weight, and they usually kick within a pour either side of indicated empty. The only issue I've ever had is occasional "ghost pours", but they're rare and can be easily filtered out of the RaspberryPints database using phpmyadmin.

There are a few much less pricey beer-safe flow meters available, Amazon carries a handful. I would pick one based on how it can be connected to beer line - some of the models look problematic in that regard, others could take John Guest PTC fittings that would make plumbing simple...

Cheers!

 

[TravelingLight]

I built my system years ago when the flow meter update was first released, and back then there was an eBay seller with a couple hundred "lightly used" SwissFlow SF800 meters for $20 a pop. I picked up enough for my six faucets plus a couple of spares and the rest were snapped up by RaspberryPints users in a couple of weeks. I've never seen anything similar since - once the guy ran out that was pretty much it.

The SF800 accuracy is phenomenal. I start each fresh keg using its net weight, and they usually kick within a pour either side of indicated empty. The only issue I've ever had is occasional "ghost pours", but they're rare and can be easily filtered out of the RaspberryPints database using phpmyadmin.

There are a few much less pricey beer-safe flow meters available, Amazon carries a handful. I would pick one based on how it can be connected to beer line - some of the models look problematic in that regard, others could take John Guest PTC fittings that would make plumbing simple...

Cheers!

So basically you got lucky and snatched them up when they were available, ha! That's kind of what I was thinking - that people snatched up all the good ones and there isn't a big enough market currently to produce them. I'll look around on Amazon and maybe get one as a tester and see how it works. Thanks dude.

 

[day_trippr]

Clearly there was a ton of luck involved
I'm sure the SF800 is still being produced but last time I checked they were around $65 plus shipping. Woof...

 

[TravelingLight]

Clearly there was a ton of luck involved
I'm sure the SF800 is still being produced but last time I checked they were around $65 plus shipping. Woof...

Yikes. I'll definitely pass on that deal. Thanks for the great info!

 

[yowzers]

I've been using the keg level indicator from www.ballandkeg.com for quite a while (just over a year), and while I like it, it has it's limitations.
Pros: It's cheap and easy to maintain. It does show you the level in the keg.
Cons: In order to see the level in the keg, you have to open the kegerator and find the ball on the side. If you move the keg at all (even a little), the ball will fall off and you have to reposition it.

That's my 2 cents (FWIW)!

So I ordered one of the keg level indicators from www.ballandkeg.com after seeing your post. Ordered it Friday and received it on Monday. I put it into a keg Tuesday and drank a few pints (naturally). I will say that it worked quite well for the price and is easily visible when I open my keezer. I noticed your comment about moving the keg. Their instructions do suggest that you use the black magnet any time you plan to move the keg. That did work well for me when I put it into my keezer so I guess I'll have to remember to use that magnet when I move it back out. I'll be buying three more to fill out all my kegs based on the way this first unit works.

 

[Sdiddy84]

One option I was looking into was find a cheap scale that you can zero out.
Weigh an empty keg then zero it. Then place the full keg on it in your keezer. (granted you have room) Once the scale nears zero you know the keg is done.

 

[day_trippr]

That's been considered countless times though I don't know of anyone who ever actually did it.
Might work ok in a fridge, but in a keezer the scale would need to survive a rather hostile environment...

Cheers!

 

[Sdiddy84]

That's been considered countless times though I don't know of anyone who ever actually did it.
Might work ok in a fridge, but in a keezer the scale would need to survive a rather hostile environment...

Cheers!

That's very true. The bottom of my keezer wasn't a pleasant place. My kegerator on the other hand is nice and clean.

 

[jdauria]

I've used the cheap and simple approach. I use Chalkboard tape to list what's on tap, and to the side of each beer I just put a small tally mark for every pint poured, 5 if it's a growler fill.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

A basic old school dial scale would probably work. I thought digital scales need to be reset when you turn them on? Meaning you would have to move/lift the keg a little to get a new reading which is never good. A dial scale would just get lower and lower without needing a reset

 

[RichardM]

I'm thinking about getting the materials and just wiring up some simple digital counters and mounting the displays in a box near the taps. A push of a button would count up and be able to reset it.

 

[day_trippr]

Many if not most digital scales have a time-out that shuts them down.
Using net weight would be risky at best and a non-starter at worst.
Using gross weight would be ok though it would likely require waking the scale up for each pour...

Cheers!

 

[fragged]

I've looked at and/or envisioned a few options. The first I conceived was using round scales with digital(serial) output. 1 for each keg, a raspberry pi, a little python/php/js code and that would work. 6 scales are expensive (found for 45 a piece for accuracy needed) and the accuracy would still put me +/- 4 pints.

Then I saw the raspberry pints when looking into flow rate models. The aforementioned ebay sellout of cheap ones and current retail of the new ones being my issue there.

Where my head is at now is seeing how discreetly I can install a microswitch behind a tap handle. Some math with time open and known flow rates and wala, you have the quantity dispensed. Even fancy switches are cheap. I've even considered a tilt switch, rf transmitter, and battery into tap handles. I figure the ones guys use with the chalkboard are plenty big enough to hold those parts.

 

[sbsmann]

I am old school and pull the keg out of the kegerator and weigh myself holding it. I plug that in my spreadsheet and it tells me within a few pours of how much beer is left in the keg.

 

[Tagobolts]

I've looked at and/or envisioned a few options. The first I conceived was using round scales with digital(serial) output. 1 for each keg, a raspberry pi, a little python/php/js code and that would work. 6 scales are expensive (found for 45 a piece for accuracy needed) and the accuracy would still put me +/- 4 pints.

Then I saw the raspberry pints when looking into flow rate models. The aforementioned ebay sellout of cheap ones and current retail of the new ones being my issue there.

Where my head is at now is seeing how discreetly I can install a microswitch behind a tap handle. Some math with time open and known flow rates and wala, you have the quantity dispensed. Even fancy switches are cheap. I've even considered a tilt switch, rf transmitter, and battery into tap handles. I figure the ones guys use with the chalkboard are plenty big enough to hold those parts.

Did you ever give this a whirl?

 

[wepeeler]

That raspberrypints thing looks amazing! Sadly, I've resorted to making a line in a notepad, (much like Tom Hanks did in Castaway to track his days) to guesstimate my volume. I figure I start with around 40ish pints. I've been pretty close every time. I usually have more beer left than I think I do.

 

[Vale71]

Another low-tech solution. Leave the fridge open a couple of minutes and then see how far condensation on the outside of the keg goes, this will show you the fill level of your keg with rather good precision.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

I am old school and pull the keg out of the kegerator and weigh myself holding it. I plug that in my spreadsheet and it tells me within a few pours of how much beer is left in the keg.

You could also lift it with a fish scale. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rapala-50-Pound-Mini-Digital-Scale/21080984. Note "Full"and "Empty" tares and interpolguestimate the divisions in between. Won't predict the exact number of pours, but will tell you whether or not to buy more beer for the party next week. Assumes the kegs can swing freely in the keezer. Will be affected by any buildup, of ice on the keg, but if there's ice on the keg you have a different problem.