Sight tube on keg?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by tngolfer, Nov 8, 2013.

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  1. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    Has anybody tried attaching a sight tube to a corny keg?
     
  2. psnydez86

    psnydez86 Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Pennsylvania

    No but I've thought about it. I bottle from kegs a lot and a sight glass would make my life a lot easier so I knew how many bottles to sanitize.
     
  3. DrewF

    DrewF Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Interesting idea, but I would be nervous about pressurizing such a keg.
     
    jbakajust1 likes this.
  4. Marseyus

    Marseyus Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2013 North Carolina

    Several things on this, I use nylon bulkhead fittings from mcmaster http://www.mcmaster.com/#8671t22/=pakfl8 (nylon is still a food grade material) and a silicone gasket on each side of the keg http://www.mcmaster.com/#4520k41/=pakhtk. then you simply buy pushlok style nylon fittings, http://www.mcmaster.com/#5228k21/=pakj1r these fittings hold hose up to pressures of 150psi, then you can use normal beer tubing.

    Tools required
    1/2" drill bit
    2 crescent wrenches
    ptfe tape
    heat gun or hair dryer

    Directions
    apply 2 layers of the ptfe tape to the barbed fittings
    tighten until they feel as if they have bottomed out in the bulkhead fitting
    Drill x2 1/2 inch holes in the side of your keg at the top and bottom.
    Install the bulkhead fittings and place the silicone gaskets between the nuts and the wall of the keg on both sides
    tighten until the gaskets flatten completely
    do not over tighten, they are nylon fittings you can strip the threads off, let the silicone do all of the sealing work
    measure the tubing so it is approximately 2 inches longer than the distance between the fittings
    heat up your tubing with a heat gun(this step is not required but makes life a lot easier)
    slide the tubing onto both barbs until the edge of the tubing reaches the bottom of the fitting
    DONE

    Cleaning, make sure you clean the bulkhead fittings each time to prevents sediment from building up in the bottom fitting.

    If you pressurize your keg and it leaks around either bulkhead fitting, then the silicone gaskets are making a complete seal, you can always add http://www.mcmaster.com/#7545a471/=pakt27 which is a food grade silicone sealant.
     
  5. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Got a photo by chance?
     
  6. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I won't even put one on my brew kettle, why would I put one on a corny? :slight_smile:
     
  7. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Drink the Koolaid...
     
  8. bctdi

    bctdi Devotee (399) Dec 8, 2008 Georgia

    I have counter's attached to my keg taps, so every beer i pour I just push the button. When it gets to 52, I know the keg is about gone. Plus it gives me a great reference point as I am getting through the keg....it's this model

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/200783837066?lpid=82
     
  9. Marseyus

    Marseyus Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2013 North Carolina

    Negative on the photo, I don't use it anymore, When I first started I did, but now I use the old school bathroom scales. I place the empty keg on the scale, zero it out, then fill with beer. Once it get's close to Zero I know I'm getting close to running out. I do however like the counter idea. I've actually got a few of the old click styles in the classroom, I might borrow one. The scale can get hard to read under 5lbs. Sunbeam is a scale that i use, but any dial bathroom scale works, this is just the one they had at Wal-Mart, the clickers are cheaper though.
     
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Only if I can be sure the Koolaid jug is full (it has a sight glass) :slight_smile:
    Cheers
     
  11. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    Just leave your keg out in the middle of the room for about 20 minutes and you'll see a nice and clear line of water beads that stops at the level of the chilled beer.
     
    psnydez86 likes this.
  12. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    Reason I'm asking is twice I've filled growlers 2/3 - 3/4 and then the keg kicked.
     
  13. yesmar

    yesmar Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2009 Pennsylvania

    DubbelMan likes this.
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