Hey guys, could I make a jockey box with a 25 foot stainless IC (like this) and just connect a keg to one end and a picnic tap to the other? Think 25 foot would be long enough?
Here is where someone detailed this out, not sure how easy it is to bend the stainless http://byo.com/malt/item/367-build-a-draft-jockey-box-projects. They also go into how to calc pressure
Yes, that will work. 25' of coil is not ideal but it will work. That coil does not look it will fit in a cooler though, so be sure to check. If you need a jockey box for a short term event you are probably better off renting. I can't stress enough, a jockey box is not a long term beer dispense solution. A jockey box is not a substitute for a kegerators and it is not even ideal for short term dispense. But they are convenient and portable. Also, do not use copper. I don't know why BYO mag says to use copper. Beer is not water, and copper is very clearly forbidden for use with beer. Copper in the brewhouse is one thing, but copper for the dispense of beer is not the same as using copper with wort. Cheers.
Nothing permanent about it. It was going to be for tailgates / camping. The article is 15 years old... Most sources I've read form haven't had a problem using copper lines as long as the beer doesn't sit in them over night. But I wouldn't want to take the chance personally. This last Saturday my veterans organization tailgated the SHSU game for almost 12 hours, so I think stainless is the way to go.
Here is the rig that Live Oak uses, they have one set up with stainless coil and one with a chiller plate. They go on to give a brief tutorial on how to build it and then give you the source for the parts. The 50ft stainless jockey box coil runs about $108
