new system to set up. micro dudes please read

[ANT MAN]

hi new here, im setting up a two keg system.maby 3-4
i now have half of what i need since one of my kegs is GUINNESS !!!
i have my d coulp setup. reg,hoses,coulp,double faucet tower,co2 tank, ect.
my guinness hardware is on its way.
with alot of research i think i wont have any big problems, my only question now is, is it ok to have the co2 tanks outside of the freezer/fridge? i have the room in the freezer unless i set up a third tap witch would be a 5 gal keg, im not sure if the temp of the co2 co2/nitro is a factor or not. any input will be greatly helpful

ANT MAN

[Auld Og]

I'm sure the micromatic guys will chime in, but according the faq here it doesn't matter if the CO2 tank is inside or outside your coolbox. It just needs to remain upright.

I assume you're converting an old chest freezer?

[ANT MAN]

yeah, but new, got it at the home cheapo its the maytag 14.8 cubic model has a 10 year warranty on the cooling parts. also i was wondering does my regulator need to be upright? or can that be turned to its side to allow more room to close the lid to the chest freezer.
i have a new 5 lb tank for the co2 witch is fine. but i also have a 20 lb tank for my guinness mixture, and that one will be close. if i can have the tanks outside of the freezer im fine, it will also give me more room for more selections that i can use on game day to impress my beer leaches thanks for your imput Auld Og

[Auld Og]

As far as I know the gauges can face any old way as long as the tank is upright.

Also IIRC you can run all beer off of the CO2/N2 mixed gas so you'd only need the one tank and something like this:

http://www.micromatic.com/product.php?pid=751-019

Maybe the micromatic guys can confirm.

Maybe I should get commision around here a buddy of mind just but a new Bev-Air BM23-2 from 'em

[ANT MAN]

if i can use the one 20lb co2/nitro tank for all would be sweet. also im just setting up the controller 2 with display i just opend thanks to ups getting it here on time, thanks micromatic dudes! for getting it out in a timely mannor, but it seams to not have good results in an insulated cup, it reads 34f in the cup,while freezing a skin in cup. out in the air space was below zero. so now im trying a glass to hold water for a liquid temp.i hace a meat thermomeator and it also reads the same temp. i will post the results. and also should i use beer instead of water?
im not sure if water has a different freezing temp verses the lords fine brew. thanks for any input from anyone ANT MAN

[ANT MAN]

further looking guinness needs to be set at 30-40, can this be done all with one tank? i already have a complete guinness setup on its way."total separate" system", only in the same chest freezer and sharing the same tower.
what would be the BEST way?

[ANT MAN]

oh i see a newbee only spends alittle over $100.00 at micro so he gets no advise from the pros. ???? WTF

[Scott Zuhse]

Thanks for the "Pro" tag! I wish I could reply often but I have another project I am working on. A house! the dam thing is about ready to fall down the hill. So I am either underneath this thing pouring concrete footings or doing the Micro Matic thing. No life whatsoever. But since I have a passion for draught beer and like to do things right, here I chime.

First, bore a hole in the freezer to allow for the pressure lines to route from your regulators outside to the couplers inside. Turn the regulators so they face you so that you can read them easily. Use CO2 at correct pressure for you non-stout product and the blend for the Guinness. If you use the blend vz. CO2 for an ale or lager your beer will taste like cardboard - flat. Calibrate your thermometer with lots of ice in a glass then water. Should be 32F. Take the temperature of the beer right from the faucet - preferably the second pour to acclimate the glass. Try to target 38F. Set pressure to non-stout at 14 PSIG if you reside at sea level. Next message.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[Scott Zuhse]

Set the Guinness between 28-35 PSIG based on the pour you desire at the faucet. It does not matter if the bottles are in or out of kegerator. Always adjust the regulators after the gas has acclimated to the enviroment the reside in. Oops, got to go. Another batch of concrete is ready! Please reply with more info such as type of ale or lager, temperature, elevation, etc.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[ANT MAN]

hi, thanks for responding, i am at sea level, florida.
port charlotte to target it, hurricain charly ground zero.
i orderd a pony of killians red, it should be in on tuseday.im hopeing the rest of my hardware gets to me by then, but if not o-well, i didant order the guinness yet anyway.i havent gotten the temp thing down yet, i think i was trying to rush the results, so now i check about every 4 hours or so, i keep getting a 32-34 reading in the glass, but with a frozen skin that thickens if allowed.
i did have it set on the shelf over the compresser, so i just moved the glass off of the shelf,since the compresser is hot when running. "maby better results" i will post, thanks again for a reply ANT MAN

[ANT MAN]

i have moved the glass "actualy using a clean milk jug now with a small hole in cap to hold the line in place.
i set the set point to 37 and the dif to 2, i think that mite do it, i will post the results, thanks ANT MAN

[Scott Zuhse]

You will require two PSIG more for the Killian's than other lagers. 16 PSIG @ 38F @ sea level. Adjust one pound for every two degree temp. change. Up for warmer, down for colder. Keep us posted.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[ANT MAN]

thank you for your help scott!!! when i put everything together i will keep you posted, ide say by the weekend it should be done!!!
thanks again ANT MAN

[ANT MAN]

UP AND RUNNING

I have my chest freezer set up to take two 1/2 barrels and one 1/6, "or anyware in between. The temp issue I had at first was from my lack of having any kegs in the freezer to stabolize a proper temp, causing my liquid oasis to freeze. Since I put in empty kegs to regulate the temp the problem is solved. My digital thermostat set point is 36 with the differential set at 34 cooling to 34 and kicking back on at 36,"like clockwork".
I've went through a 1/6 of killians in 2 days, "with some help".
My full 1/2 of guinness is coming in on Thursday.

At first my towers were cool but not cold, so I needed a blower to cool them, I bought the "up to 15 ft" size since I have future plans of an outside tiki bar,"nothing like sweating stainless steel". Word to the wise, dont let the blower pipe take up the whole hole to the tower, make the tubing smaller to allow air to exit. I did that first and the tower was cooler than before but not real cold. I than decreased the pipe to allow air to exit, now the tower is sweaty!!!
I also have a 1/6 of Amberbock coming in . My setup has two towers, one with 2 taps and the other is a single tap for a total of 3 selections. If someone can tell me how to set up some pics, i will.


Im sure i will be fine tuning my system, here and there, for different selections, but my main will be guinness. Looking forward to a milk like mustash, and also asking the micro pros for specifics.

p/s i orderd my blower at about 2 in the morning on wednsday nite "thursday morning" and opend the box on friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thankyou again micro for a responce as quickly as the last AND THANKS FOR EVERYONS HELP ANT MAN