Hey beer drinkers, I'm Nick. I'm completely new to this whole experience (the Beeradvocate forum, etc) and I'm a rookie Kegerator. I recently bought a Haier full size kegerator and it needs a CO2 line. I'm not sure what to look for in the description on Amazon.com when it comes to buying a line. I'm reading "regulator line" in a few of the descriptions, but I don't have a regulator with the two tanks I bought with the unit. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!
I am a big fan of Amazon, but in this case you may be better off shopping from an online Homebrew Supplier. Just search google for "CO2 gas line", lots to pick from. Expect to pay around 50 cents to a buck a foot. But first, you want know the size of the barb on your shut-off valve on your CO2 regulator. Most common size is probably a 5/16" barb . . . this is how your gas line is mated to your tank. You want the diameter of your line to match this. I'm sure people use 1/4" and maybe even 3/16" gas lines, but 5/16" is more common. It's available clear or colored, I prefer colored to avoid confusing with the beer lines. Once you slip the line on the barb, a hose clamp tightens and prevents leaks. Similarly, the tank side of your gas lines slips over a barb of the same size and is also clamped. So, I recommend you get your regulator first, then match your gas line to the barb on the output valve (shut-off valve). Also, if you have more than one keg you will need to split your lines. Either add a "wye" on your regulator (allows for two shut-off valves) or use a line splitter union. If you get bogged down on anything there are tons of tutorials on youtube, also feel free to ask questions here. You didn't ask, but here is a link to a decent tutorial on the entire keg system: http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/beer/homekeg.html You will also here the term "balanced system" when talking about kegging. This is the relationship between temp, carbonation level, CO2 pressure, and beer line length. For good pours you should get familiar with this. Here's a good starting point: http://beersmith.com/blog/2011/07/14/keg-line-length-balancing-the-science-of-draft-beer/ Good luck and welcome to the hobby.
All good advice, I'd go one step further on the regulator if you are going to run two kegs at the same time. Instead of a wye which will send the same pressure to both kegs, get a dual product regulator which will give you independant pressure control on each barrel. The Haier can actually be configured to take three kegs at the same time, so plan accordingly if that might be in your future.
Yeah I would definitely go the secondary regulator route if the funds allow.Here is a pic of my setup.
Thanks. Bev Air Bm23, with micromatic premium primary Co2 regulator and micromatic premium 2 product secondary regulator.
