Hi, I need some help. I bought a Nostalgia kegerator a few years ago. It didn't take long for me to realize that, while it looks very pretty, it's a POS. Anyway, I'm trying to rebuild the thing part by part. I ordered a new regulator as I believe the standard one that came with the unit is causing a bunch of issues. Here's the regulator I purchased: https://beveragelements.com/beverag...-dual-gauge/?gclid=CI7lqtmPvMoCFcYRHwodIUAEzg Given that I'm new to this, I made the mistake of assuming all the other parts would be compatible with the new regulator. I don't believe that to be the case as I could not get the co2 line to fit onto the...I don't know if it's the inlet or the outlet...I know one of those hooks up directly with the co2 tank. I'm referencing the other one, whatever that is called. Anyway, rather than keep making mistakes, I thought I might ask you all for some help in ordering the following parts that are compatible with the regulator I referenced above. I am planning on ordering the following: co2 line Faucet Coupler (Do I really need a new one?) I tried to search myself, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with the amount of options (sizes, lengths, colors, names, etc.). I'm not necessarily asking you to do all the work, but if you could look at the regulator I purchased and tell me what sizes I need for the items above, it would really help. Any recommendations on brands, etc. would be also welcomed. Please bear in mind that this is my first go around with replacing these items so don't assume I know anything (like the difference between the inlet and outlet...haha) Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
I guess the first question is what are you trying to correct? CO2 line slips into the outlet barb, and then you put a hose clamp on it. The next thing you need to look at is how it is attached to the coupler. To do that you will need a check valve (looks like a duck bill) a tail piece and hex nut. get a forward sealing faucet. Check out Perlicks. Of course none of this means anything until we know what it is you are trying to fix.
Thank you for the response. Let's see how I can explain this. Here's the way the air line hooks up to the regulator. You have the air line and then at the end of the air line, you have what I'll call a connector. It's a piece that has a little hole. This piece butts up against the regulator piece and then there is this green nut attached to the air line that then screws onto the regulator and overtop of where the air line connector meets the regulator. I don't know how helpful this is, but here's a picture from the manufactor. http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/imag...iy/B000HJVYDQ/KegoratorDoubleRegulator-30.jpg You can see the green nut in the picture. So this nut is too big for the regulator I purchased. I can butt the air line up against the regulator, but it's useless without being able to screw that nut onto the regulator -- thereby creating the seal. Does this make any sense? If you go here: http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-KRS2100-Kegorator-Black-Dispenser/dp/B000HJVYDQ And click on the fourth picture from the top, you should get a better idea of what I'm talking about. I hope this is helpful.
I'm sorry, but I just re-read your post again, and it's making sense from the perspective of my new regulator. My new regulator has, what I believe is a barb. I'm guessing you buy a piece of tubing for the air line that is nothing but tube and then you clamp it where it slips over the barb? That is different from how the stock kegerator seals. For the stock equipment, the air line has...what I'll call a connector piece welded to it. So it's not just the opening of the tube. You don't slip the tube over anything. You butt the connector piece up against the regulator. Instead of clamping, you take that green nut and then screw it onto the regulator which has threads on it rather than a barb. I'm guessing this is some sort of weird custom design by the kegerator company?
They use non standard and low quality parts. You would be better served by the new regulator, but if you want to use the old one the best thing to do is unthread the whole assembly with the green nut and throw it away. Replace it with a barb fitting.
Ok, great so that's what I was thinking. So this brings me back to my original request for some help. With the new regulator I purchased, I'm having a hard time picking out a new co2 line, faucet, and coupler that would be compatible with the regulator I have already purchased. For example, when I go to beveragelements.com, I'm given the following options for lines: Ball Lock Gas Line Pigtail-threaded, Ball Lock Liquid Line Pigtail, liquid lines, regular air lines, Pin Lock Gas Lines, etc. I don't really know what any of these mean. When I go to other websites, there are even more choices with 1/4 lines, 5/16 lines, etc. Was hoping for some general guidance regarding sizes and brands. I see you mentioned Perlicks for the faucet -- thank you. It sounds like then I need some type of co2 line, two clamps, a check valve, a tail piece, and a hex nut...and the hex nut size would depend on the coupler I buy or is that standard?
You are looking at parts for Corney kegs that home brewers use. You just need plain CO2 line with no ends on it. Just line. Check out Micromatic's site, they have it. They may be a little pricey on some things but it is all top quality. The hex fitting should be standard onto the coupler, again these cheaper foreign units sometimes have their own threads. If getting it done right away is the priority, buy a new coupler. You will also have to buy a wing nut, tail piece, hose clamp and a washer for the beer side (using the same beer line - you cut off the end you have). The faucet has to be compatible with the shank in the tower, it doesn't matter what coupler or CO2 line you are using. The faucet connection to the shank is a standard, some people report having trouble getting higher quality faucets to mate with sub par imported shanks. I haven't had that problem, so before you go buying shanks I would try the new faucet first. Chances are good it will fit. Go with a Perlick stainless steel.
listen to Doug. and or. bring your regulator to your friendly big box hardware store. ask them to fix a 5/16" brass hose barb on to the outlet. that's that. order 5' or 10' of 5/16" ID CO2 gas Braided PVC hose. buy a nice stainless steel hose clamp. OK! slip on that hose to your regulator. won't go on? hot water. still no? hair dryer. clamp it. do the same with the coupler. you bought a Nostalgia, it doesn't work. don't feel special. we get this all the time. everything can be fixed. almost. Cheers.
Got it. Thanks for clarity. I think I have all the right parts now. New coupler, faucet, beverage line, gas line, several clamps, wing nut, tail piece, and washer. Thanks for the info.
