running gas lines for secondary regulators and manifolds

[San_Diego_Matt]

I'm trying to get a little system set up where I can carb 2 beers at a time and still push/serve beer as needed.

I have a regulator, 2 secondary regulators, a 2 outlet manifold with checkvalves and on this pic



I have #10's with check valve, #9's and #2's.

I'm guessing I can screw a check valve into the bottom of the regulator, and one of the barbs (#2 in the pic) into the check valve. From there I can run a piece of 1/4" tubing (all the barbs I have are 1/4" barbs) to one of the secondary regulators.

The first secondary regulator will be the one I'll be carbing with since that's at a higher PSI than serving or pushing beer. I'll screw a check valve into the bottom of the secondary regulator and then screw the Y-adapter into the bottom of the check valve. From there I'll screw a barb into each of the ends of the Y-connector. From one of the barbs I'll attach a piece of tubing with a ball lock disconnect on it for carbing ball lock kegs and from the other barb I'll run a piece of tubing to the 2 outlet manifold which will have another barb screwed into it. I'll connect barbs to the end of the check valves on the manifold and will attach tubing to them with pin lock beer out connectors on the end of them for carbing pin lock kegs (I have more pin lock kegs that ball lock kegs at the moment).

I'll connect a barb to the out end of the first secondary regulator and run a piece of tubing from it to the in barb on the 2nd secondary regulator. I'll screw a check vavle into the bottom of the 2nd secondary regulator and a barb into the check valve. I'll connect a piece of tubing to the barb and on the end of that will connect a gas in ball lock/pin lock disconnect. All my disconnects are the threaded type so they're easy to change out and I'll use this for serving beer and pushing beer out of carboys and into kegs or other carboys. The out end of this secondary regulator will have a plug screwed into it to cap it off. If need be I can always screw another Y-adaptor and serve from 2 kegs at the same time if I need to.

So, my question is....does any of this make sense? Is using tubing and hose clamps sufficient for a no leaks system? I realize I'll need a spray bottle of soapy water to check for leaks in about 50 spots, but I'm ok with that.

Whaddya think?

[BDawg]

I'd suggest something like this:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/k ... lator.html

Then you can carb and serve at different pressures.

[San_Diego_Matt]

that's fine and dandy, but I don't feel like dropping $133 on something that I think I already have. I've got the secondary 2 regulators, but I need to get them to run off my primary regulator since one of my secondaries won't screw on to my CO2 bottle.

Does someone sell the arm/nut thing that I can screw into the side of one of my secondary regulators and then attach to my CO2 bottle?

I've been looking on the CHI Company website, but don't see them.

[BDawg]

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/regulato ... hread.html

[San_Diego_Matt]

I have those, but they just connect the 2 regulators together. How to I then connect it to my CO2 tank?

[BDawg]

I have those, but they just connect the 2 regulators together. How to I then connect it to my CO2 tank?

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/co2-conn ... hread.html
or
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/co2-conn ... hread.html

with
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/co2-connection-nut.html

and this little ridged washer piece of shit is mandatory (only like 15 cents on NB or B3, but 1 stop shopping saves on shipping):
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/regulator-gasket.html

HTH-

[San_Diego_Matt]

I guess I could have done some research for those things

It's also funny that the nut is more expensive than either of the stems.

Now I just need to get the current barbs out of my secondary regulators. I put a wrench on them tonight and gave them all I had and they wouldn't budge. I'm going to need to try and get some lubrication down there to break them loose I think.

RATPAD!

[atomicpunk]

Makes sense but you can probably simplify a bit if you want by connecting the 2 regs in series using the proper connector as linked previously. Just be sure you know what "hand" threads you need. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/regulato ... hread.html

Caution on trying to connect your secondaries directly to the tank. I don't think you should do that if they truly are secondary regs. They can't handle the direct bottle pressure. Keep your primary and run off that.

The other thing I would recommend is having a wye from the primary. One line that attaches to the secondary system as you intend. Another line with a ball/pin lock. You'll see why in a moment. One the line to the secondary system put this...
http://morebeer.com/view_product/17398/ ... ut-off_Set
This makes your tank portable. On kegging days you can disconnect your tank to purge empty kegs with the other line with the ball/pin lock without having to unscrew anything and no loss in pressure in your system.

Finally, WD40 is your friend for getting the parts off the regs. That and vice grips, a lot of muscle and hurt hands.