Hi all, I'm new here and have a few Kegerator questions that I could not find by searching. New to the world of home drafting. I'm looking to install 2 tap lines into my cellar fridge. I'm not looking to keep upgrading down the line, I want it done right off the get go. Going with the Perlick SS faucets and shanks. 10lb. aluminum tank and- 1. Looking to have a European and a Domestic on tap. Do I need a dual regulator that has a separate CO2 pressure for each line or is the dual splitter type fine? Looking at this one-http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/regulator/twoproduct/premium_two_product_co2_regulator_battery.shtml or this one- http://www.beveragefactory.com/draf...double_gauge_co2_regulator_air_splitter.shtml 2. Which is the better regulator company or does it not matter for a regulator? 3. Besides hoses and couplers am I missing anything? No drip tray needed. Thanks in advance. Mike
Hi Mike welcome to BA. you do not absolutely need to have a two product regulator. but since you look like you are going full on with this set up, it is a nice thing to have. you can really present the beer as it should be, but that means you will need to dial in each beer appropriately to get the benefit. the first regulator you show will allow for two separate pressures. it is a micromatic, very good quality and a lot more expensive than it needs to be. I use Taprite regulators. google "Taprite dual body regulator". word of warning, do not go with a no name regulator. they are out there. they will fail. do not save $10 on a regulator that will fail. if the seller does not tell you the brand, move on. Chudnow is a decent economy brand. but Taprite is my choice. micromatic is notoriously expensive, but they are also very high quality. the second regulator you have linked to will not allow for two separate pressures. it will only provide two gas lines at the same pressure. with a 2" fridge you want 5 1/8" shanks with 3/16" bore. the extra length helps to keep the beer chilled, and it extends far enough to allow for the nut on the back and escutcheon on the front. you can get away with 4 5/8", but not by much. and I like having the shank extend a bit anyway. Cheers.
Thanks B, But why so long a shank? They sell the 4 1/8" SS with the perlicks as a set, but I thought that they might be too long thats why I asked before buying. I can piece it out and get the longer ones if needed. Also I showed the 2 different regulators types on purpose but will go with the one with separate pressures. The one I showed is $145, I can get the same Taprite one for $105 on Amazon. Also what difference will it make between the 3/16" and 1/4" Bore? M
technically you only need the shank to be long enough to extend into the fridge and have a few thread exposed for the nut to fasten. as you see, the 4 1/8" leaves 3 1/16". this will be enough to connect everything. but the little bit extra provides more metal to air contact. keeping the beer cold is absolutely essential. I also don't want to find out that you ended up with 1/4" of threads to hold it all on. the 4 1/8" perlick set should work, so long as you are sure it is a 2" wall you're drilling through. 3/16" bore matches the line diameter. smaller is better. less beer to keep cold. resistance is also slightly more but negligible. 1/4" bore wouldn't be a sin but you have the choice. Cheers. edit- the dual regulator is nice. they tend to want to tip over on smaller bottles. once the regulator bangs the ground it will likely be out of calibration. those gauges are not industrial and don't like to be roughed up. the regulator guts don't like it much either. Cheers.
Another good item to get to go over shanks. So when you tighen down nuts you don't crush the plastic interior of your fridge.
I took the pic from Micromatics website. they sell it for $2.23 Size is Length 4" I.D 7/8" O.D 1-1/8"
Honestly I would just buy this regulator http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-842.html It works just fine. You can also buy a repair kit for it when it starts to break down for $10 that will replace every gasket in it. And no you don't need a dual regulator, just buy an 5/16" air T to splice a Y jn the line.
