Will this kegging set up work?

[NewBrew122]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of upgrading my kegging set up to 4 kegs with a 5th carbonating. I was hoping someone could provide some insight as to a set up I'm thinking of putting together.

Primary CO2 regulator: http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642.html

Secondary CO2 regulator: http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/gas-equipment-pid-1164.html

2-way manifold: http://www.annapolishomebrew.com/en/distributor-2

The thought is that the primary would funnel into the secondary which would have 1 carbonating, 1 high PSI, 1 low PSI and then the 4th would go into the manifold for 2 medium PSI beers (I do a wheat or saison depending on the season (high PSI), mild (low psi), porter and IPA (medium PSI).

Is this doable and would the current set up I have planned be the best way to achieve that?

Thanks in advance

 

[b-boy]

That's a pricey setup, but it will work fine. If you're looking for really precise control, that's about the only way to do it.

For that money you could probably pickup

2 5lb CO2 tanks(~120),
http://www.homebrewing.org/New-5-aluminum-Co2-_p_1226.html

2 dual tap regulators (~200), a
http://www.homebrewing.org/Taprite-Dual-Body-Regulator_p_2956.html

A manifold (~$40).

That would give you a spare tank.

 

[NewBrew122]

Thanks b-boy, when doing something like this would I just crank the CO2 on the primary for the total PSI necessary on the entire system?

 

[TallDan]

You could also put the manifold after the primary and before the secondary regulator, set the primary to your highest PSI (force carbing), one output of the manifold goes to a keg to be force carbed, the other to your secondary regulator. Then each of the four serving kegs gets it own secondary regulator.

To be honest, I have a four pressure secondary regulator and 99% of the time all four of them are set to the same pressure +- 1 PSI. I force carb at serving pressure most of the time now as i find the beer is better after two weeks on gas anyway. I do still like the flexibility though.

 

[day_trippr]

Thanks b-boy, when doing something like this would I just crank the CO2 on the primary for the total PSI necessary on the entire system?

Secondary regulators (like all regulators) require a minimum in vs out pressure differential. For CO2 regulators used in dispensing systems that's typically 5 psi, so the minimum pressure setting for your primary reg would need to be a minimum of 5 psi above the highest secondary regulator setting. You can go as high as the maximum specified for the secondary regulators (could be ~60psi) or pick a spot in the middle.

I'll add that's a nice setup.
Sure, there's some coin involved, but wtf, life is short. Go for the gusto

Cheers!