I ran out of CO2 the other day, somewhat unexpected since I just finished up 1/2 keg #3 (on a 5lb bottle of CO2). I thought I would get at least 5- 1/2 kegs. I was wondering if you use the same amount of CO2 per 1/2 keg whether it was in use for 2 months or 5 months? Does more time equal more CO2 usage? Last keg was hooked up for 5 months (Dr orders to lose weight). Here is the usage: 9/11/15 to 7/16/16 (5 lb CO2 from full to empty) 1) Fat Tire (1/2 keg): 9/11/15 to 11/16/15 2) Heineken (1/2 keg): 11/20/15 to 1/29/16 3) Sam Adams Cold Snap (1/2 keg): 2/1/16 to 7/10/16 I just put on a 1/6 keg of Michelob Ultra and was out. All connections seemed to be tight, but I didn't check with soapy water yet since new bottle was just put on and has only lost a little on the gauge since connected.
Shouldn't be an appreciable difference in usage based on how long it was tapped I don't think. Assuming you were close to balanced, the beer can only absorb so much CO2 based on temperature. The pressure will sit in the headspace, and no additional CO2 will be absorbed. I think the rule is 1 lb per half keg, not sure though, I don't run halfs.
Time on gas doesn't affect quantity used. When carbing you will use 2.5 (or whatever) volumes of gas as your beer quantity, then another volume to push it. Same amount of gas if carbed/pushed in one week or one year. With commercial kegs you can delete the carb part of the equation. The usual suspects are leaks or the supplier short changed you (when possible I try and see the actual weight at the carbon dioxide store). To understand what the pressure gauge is telling you, check out this link: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/how-many-kegs.276617/ Now that the tank is empty it's good to weigh it with the regulator attached (TW with reg) and write this number on a piece of masking tape. Then you can spot check your quantity without having to break down the reg. Regarding beer vs weight loss . . . consider Belgian Ales. Something like Patersbier or Witbier or even a lighweight Saison, all have low calories and can be magnificent. Only a doc who is a wino would give orders to drink less beer . . .
Interested to hear your outcome. I've got a similar issue. I run 2 sixtel's on a 2.5 lb CO2 bottle and seeing about 4 sixtels on my last bottle. The bottle was new on April 12th and ran out around July 22nd so the leak is pretty small. I've only just started marking down my usage per CO2 container since I had started feeling like I was swapping tanks too frequently. Based on this latest usage I'm getting around half or less of what I should get. Anyhow just glad to hear I'm not alone
You should be in the 7-ish range. You can use soapy water on the connections to check for leaks, and / or run the pressure up to about 40 psi momentarily and listen for the leaks.
Thanks, that is my next step. I've been slowly upgrading the various components in my system so I hadn't worried too much about a slow leak. Now that I am quantifying the leak and realizing I'm probably wasting a solid $30 of CO2 per year if not more a little time with some soapy water sounds like a good investment. I had kind of convinced myself there was no way there could be that small of a leak, I must be using more kegs than I think per CO2 bottle.
It is a leak after the splitter from the regulator. I only checked one side but will check both once my second keg is filled again. I checked the weight of my full bottle to my empty bottle (both from the same place) and the new one definitely seems to be filled correctly.
Well I was hoping that I didn't have any small leaks, but that is not the case. 11 days later, and gauge is in the red zone. This last co2 fill was from a different place, so I doubt both well established places are under-filling. Now i know I have to troubleshoot the issue. I'll refill the bottle and crank up the pressure to 40 psi and see what happens (thanks Doug). I did use a new washer when hooking up the new co2 bottle. Tightened the connection pretty good with a wrench and checked the co2 hose camp connection going to the coupler and all seemed reasonably connected tight enough. I didn't think the regulator pressure adjustment was fairly responsive, but only turned the t-handle +/- 1/2 turn. It is still at 12 psi (I was going for a little higher) and just left it alone at the time since it was close enough.
A couple of workarounds: Until you swap out tanks, just leave the master valve turned off. After pouring a few beers, recharge the system (master valve on), then turn it off again until the next drinking day. This is a slight aggravation, but it'll keep the beer carb'ed and very little CO2 will be wasted. When you find the leak don't assume it's the only one . . . check all your fittings. Then leave the master valve off overnight and see if it is holding pressure. You really want to start weighing your tank (bathroom scale). Find your tare weight (stamped on neck), it'll be something like TW XX.X. Subtract this number from the total tank weight and that's how much CO2 is remaining.
Well I trimmed both ends of the co2 hose, re-attached clamps using 5/16" socket set, so those connections are tight. New fiber washer used and connected the tank back up to the regulator- tightened really good with wrench. Re-tapped keg, cranked up co2 pressure to 40 or so and used soapy water on down thru all connections. The area that looks to be the possible problem is the pressure relief valve on the coupler. Pushing the pressure relief valve from right to left and you hear co2 escaping. Pushing it back from left to right and it appears to reseal. There was some extremely slow, small bubbling near the 2 holes on the sides of the pressure relief valve, which I believe is where to co2 exits when pulling the pressure relief valve out to remove pressure from the tank. Not sure if the tiny bubbling is an issue since I did have the pressure up to 40 or so, but being able to push the valve side-to-side and hear co2 escaping can't be that good. Is it time to get a new D Coupler with a (I'm guessing) working properly pressure relief valve? Or might it be okay since I can push the valve into a position where I don't hear co2 escaping? If I should get another D coupler, are there certain brands much better then others? I'm at least going to see what happens now, but am thinking a new coupler might be needed. Not sure why this one might be failing unless it's just a cheapo unit.
A cheapskate kegger would position the PRV until it didn't leak, then set 40 psi (coupler off the beer), select master valve off, and leave for 24 hours and see how the pressure holds. I don't use D couplers so not familiar if PRV is replaceable or not . . . but these type leaks rarely heal themselves.
