Rehabbing my kegerator

[Oldpaddy]

Morning everyone, I have an old danby kegerator that I haven't used in a decade. I plugged it in a few months back and it cooled down. So I figure I'm going to replace all the lines, fittings, coupler and regulator and start using it again. I'd like to replace everything with quality equipment, preferably not chinese made ****. Any recommendations? I remember I had a problem with foam, so I think I'll add a tower chiller fan. The co2 has some surface rust, will I have an issue getting it recharged because of that? I know with propane tanks that's a big no no. There's still co2 in it, any reason why I shouldn't use what's left?

Thanks

 

[Harleybrew32]

I spent the money on stainless steel Perlicks 630's
a fan for the tower is a good idea, Co2 tank probably wont be able to get filled, but i would test out whats init with one of those screw on carbcaps and test it on one bottle, maybe water so you can taste if its ok.

 

[NewJersey]

The hydro will definitely be out of date.
New faucets would be nice for sure.
I just redid everything in mine and used duo tite push fittings and Eva barrier 4mm ID lines for gas and liquid. Good stuff

 

[Oldpaddy]

Thanks, guy.
I've been looking at regulators, any reason why this one costs $260? I can't wrap my head around it being $200 more than other micromatics.

https://www.kegerator.com/wall-mount-co2-regulator-w-6-ft-pressure-hose/842WM6.html

 

[day_trippr]

Well, it's a remoted primary regulator with a unique stem and includes the high pressure hose which isn't cheap (figure $50 for that alone).
And I'm betting the run rate on that item is a couple of orders of magnitude lower than their "regular" cylinder-mounted reg sets, which doesn't help put downward pressure on the price. A conventional primary regulator with a conventional secondary would actually be a cheaper solution toward remoting a regulator.

Is there a reason why you're even looking at that regulator?

Cheers!

 

[Oldpaddy]

Well, it's a remoted primary regulator with a unique stem and includes the high pressure hose which isn't cheap (figure $50 for that alone).
And I'm betting the run rate on that item is a couple of orders of magnitude lower than their "regular" cylinder-mounted reg sets, which doesn't help put downward pressure on the price. A conventional primary regulator with a conventional secondary would actually be a cheaper solution toward remoting a regulator.

Is there a reason why you're even looking at that regulator?

Cheers!

Thanks. I was looking at regulators and I saw that one and I was trying to figure out why it was $200 more than the rest of them.
Do you have any suggestions on regulator and coupler brands? I'm trying to stay away from cheaply made stuff.

 

[day_trippr]

I have Taprite, Chudnow, and Micromatic regulators in use, and rank them 1-3 in that order.
A Taprite t742hp-02 (1/4" MFL w/shutoff and check valve) is a solid easy to use primary regulator...

Cheers!

 

[Oldpaddy]

I have Taprite, Chudnow, and Micromatic regulators in use, and rank them 1-3 in that order.
A Taprite t742hp-02 (1/4" MFL w/shutoff and check valve) is a solid easy to use primary regulator...

Cheers!

What brand coupler do you use?

 

[day_trippr]

That regulator comes with a CGA 320 cylinder valve coupler - appropriate for CO2 in the USA.

Cheers!

 

[Oldpaddy]

What size co2 tank should I get? I plan on brewing corny kegs.

 

[Oldpaddy]

That regulator comes with a CGA 320 cylinder valve coupler - appropriate for CO2 in the USA.

Cheers!

Sorry, I meant which keg coupler would you recommend.

 

[gnef]

If you want a wall-mounted primary regulator, here is a cheaper option: Taprite CO2 Management System w/ 6' High Pressure Hose: Bevco Inc. - Providing Service To Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas & New Mexico

I've been thinking about getting that for my walk-in cooler, but having the regulator on the tank has been fine for me for nearly a decade, so I have no real impetus right now, I've had it on my wishlist for a long time though. haha.

For ball lock or pin lock disconnects, the best known brand for consistent quality is CMB, which you can find at any of the major retailers. I will say that I've had my eye on stainless disconnects for a long time, but for how many I would need to buy, it gets very expensive very quickly. If you are only going with a couple sets though, you may want to consider stainless.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I have 39 CMB ball lock connectors in use.
The only issues I ever had was they often arrived with non-tight caps, and one was missing a cap gasket...

Cheers!

 

[Oldpaddy]

Thanks guy, unfortunately my kegerator died. Good thing it did before I bought everything. Oh well. Guess I'll be buying another one soon. I'm thinking of getting a dual faucet and making one tap specifically for homemade soda for my kids.