Do I need a primary and secondary regulator?

Discussion in 'Home Bar' started by pscottlee, Apr 18, 2015.

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  1. pscottlee

    pscottlee Initiate (174) Oct 17, 2010 California

    I'm a first time poster, and trying to do my due diligence. After some research, it looks like I will be purchasing a BevAir BM23-2 Dual Faucet from Beverage Factory. My question is do I need a primary and secondary regulator? I was thinking about just getting a dual primary from Micromatic.

    http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642-Battery.html

    Are there any advantages to having both a primary and secondary?

    Thanks for any any input provided.
     
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    It depends. You need to decide what style beers you will be drinking. If they require different carbonation levels then you will need to be able to set two different pressures. So first do some research on what you will be drinking and the carb level of those beers (Google is a good place to start).

    If need two pressures you can accomplish this with the dual primary regulator in your link . . . or a single primary that feeds two secondary regulators, http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-8221.html

    Either of these setups will give you the ability for independent pressures. If you only require a single pressure for the two kegs you can accomplish this easily with a single primary with a "wye" output, http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642-2.html. If you go with a single primary only you can always add on another primary or a bank of secondaries. Many distributors will be glad to do simple modifications to their products if you are ordering new from them.

    Your beer will not know the difference on how it's being pressurized. Your physical placement of your tank/regulator/kegerator has a lot to do with which way you go (it must fit!).

    You didn't ask, but discount regulators almost always cost more.
     
  3. pscottlee

    pscottlee Initiate (174) Oct 17, 2010 California

    Thanks for your reply! I will be needing two different pressures, so a dual regulator will definitely be needed. I didn't want to overly complicate the setup and also simplify troubleshooting if needed. Thanks!
     
  4. zero_signal

    zero_signal Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2013 New Jersey

    If you don't want to be screwing secondary regulators into back wall of unit. Then I suggest a dual primary regulator.
    Take a look at my video of my unit to see what a secondary regulator setup looks like.
     
  5. pscottlee

    pscottlee Initiate (174) Oct 17, 2010 California

    Nice (and very neat) setup! Just to get your opinion, any reason why you chose the primary double gauge with two pressure secondary versus just the dual primary?
     
  6. zero_signal

    zero_signal Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2013 New Jersey

    Thanks.. No reason why I chose secondaries over dual primary.
     
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