New kegerator coming, need help on parts

[clarkson]

I have a new BM23 on its way and need a little help figuring out what else I need to buy. I am going to upgrade it to a dual (maybe even 3 taps later on) tap system. I want the ability to have each kegs at a different pressure. I plan on just buying sixtels.

Regulators: should I buy the battery or the dual gauge primary and a 2 pressure secondary? Price does not matter but flexibility in installation and upgrade is.

What about fittings? What fittings would I need to buy (clamps, barbs, nuts, washers, shutoffs, etc.?)

Besides a new tower and extra faucets, what other parts are needed to upgrade the tower?

CO2 tank, bulk hose, tower, couplers and faucets are self explanatory.

Thanks so much for the help. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and still a little confused

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Congrats you picked a great unit...
You will need a splitter for the co2 of some sort. Manifold, secondary regs or "y" fitting off your main regulator, or a double primary regulator.If your going with different pressures you will need double regulators of some sort.secondary regulators will need to be screwed to back wall of unit. Just skip the bottom left mounting screw ( to close to the refrigeration lines.)
You pretty much covered everything else.. except buy extra co2 line and screw hose clamps. they give you a crappy little piece with unit.Tower will have all washers and fittings needed
Check out my youtube video link at the bottom of my signature to see how I layed mine out.

[THE ICEMAN]

I have a new BM23 on its way and need a little help figuring out what else I need to buy. I am going to upgrade it to a dual (maybe even 3 taps later on) tap system... I plan on just buying sixtels...

Besides a new tower and extra faucets...

If you decide to go with extra faucets, this is an easy way to expand rather than installing a new tower... Tower Adapter
There are other sizes/configurations as well, shop around.


THE ICEMAN

[KillianBoy]

clarkson,
Don't know the extent of your lurking but the tower adapter THE ICEMAN referenced is the best type, the spin stop is by far the best system if you take faucets off often.
If it were me, I'd start slow, start by trying one tap (you get tower and faucet with unit also note you need to buy a tap handle), in same order, buy 2 tap spin stop tower, 10-15 feet of gas line, 50 feet of 3/16 beer line, wing nuts tailpieces, clamps, tools, tower adapter and cleaning gear.
Start with the high pressure regulator (different from standard), to a 3 gauge wall mount splitter, while testing unit with 1 keg, take 2 faucet tower and rig with new line (you might be able to put tailpiece and wing nut through tower hole), once ready and 1st keg works, replace tower and try with either 1 or 2 kegs, when ready then add tower adapter.
Understand once you go spin stop tower then you have to use spin stop faucets. If you want to use other than MM spin stop faucets you may have you get the ready made 3 faucet tower.
Remember you have to find place to drill hole for gas line from tank outside.
KB

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Killianboy, I'm confused by your response.
Spinstop towers still use any faucet of your choice. Also bm23 comes with tap handle( cheap black ones)
And why is he drilling a hole for co2?the unit takes a 5lb co2 inside unit with room for up to 4 1/6 kegs.

[KillianBoy]

PointPleasantNJBeerguy,
You are right about the faucets, It is the shank that is special to the spin stop, but still buy the 2 tap tower, and then the 1 tap adapter might be best (still cheaper than the 3 faucet tower and better). BUT from what the documentation from MM site regarding the BM-23:
"3" Diameter Polished Stainless Steel Tower with one faucet (Knob not included)"
I assume knob means tap handle (MM guys clarify), if you did get a black knob with a MM BM-23, post back but by what I read on site you DON'T get a black tap handle.
And about drilling a hole, you might get away with 3 1/6 kegs but if you get 1 or 2 1/4 slims AND a 1/6, it might be tight, AGAIN best to be ahead of the curve and plan ahead and get tank outside. Better to have the space and not worry than put tank inside and buy kegs and find it don't fit and struggle and figure out how to fit kegs on the fly.
KB

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

I'm 75% sure bm23 comes with knob but they always changing the accessory pack depending on who packed it. (Usually the wrong screws half the time)
Bevair supplies enough room on the back shelf to clear however many kegs you wanna jamb in there. Only issue is for some damn reason they don't make the Height high enough by 1/2" so you have to angle the regulator. Still not a factor in clearing your barrels.

[clarkson]

Congrats you picked a great unit...
You will need a splitter for the co2 of some sort. Manifold, secondary regs or "y" fitting off your main regulator, or a double primary regulator.If your going with different pressures you will need double regulators of some sort.secondary regulators will need to be screwed to back wall of unit. Just skip the bottom left mounting screw ( to close to the refrigeration lines.)
You pretty much covered everything else.. except buy extra co2 line and screw hose clamps. they give you a crappy little piece with unit.Tower will have all washers and fittings needed
Check out my youtube video link at the bottom of my signature to see how I layed mine out.

Funny thing is that I saw your set up on you tube before and wanted to mimic it. I decided I wont upgrade the tower quite yet (until I get more familiar with it all), but am going to buy everything else set up for 2 lines.

So this is what is in my cart:
642 primary regulator
1162 secondary
7458E -"D" couplers
20' 5/16 gas line
30' 3/16 beer line
12 worm clamps (can't have too many)
Cleaning kit

What I am missing? It seems like I need more fittings or washers or a lube? Where do I need wing nuts and tailpieces?

I like that tower adapter - gonna need to look into that more.

Oh, and thank you for all the help!

[djc]

You need tail pieces and wing nuts on top of the couplers at the beer exit. You also need washers there as well.

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Make sure to get extras on the neoprene washers. Never know when you will an extra..don't really need lube. Unless you get the s/s barb fittings. Then you might need a dab on the barb to get the damn things onto the 3/16 line.
And as a reminder when installing the secondary regulator don't install bottom left screw you are too close to the refrigeration lines running through wall of unit.

[KillianBoy]

PointPleasantNJBeerguy,
I really have to disagree with you regarding the lube (in a couple of ways):
You need it for the keg seal, once that connection between the coupler and keg is cemented with beer it is seriously difficult to get off, a little dab should keep the coupler from making a permanent connection to the spear (I had this happen one time). And if you need help getting beer line over tailpiece (barb), just dip the end in boiling water, this should stretch it enough to pull it over tailpiece (barb), you really don't need lube to pull over tailpiece.
This is what you need for keg seal (lube):
Beer Cleaner Pump & Probe Lubricant (1 Oz. Can)
Explanations on what you need:
Beer Keg System Parts & Fittings | Draft Beer Keg Supplies
Less gas, more beer line, take it from me, gas line lasts a long time, beer line doesn't, but I agree with PointPleasantNJBeerguy neoprene washers are a must, more so than clamps for sure ( I have 4 for 1 coupler and see no need for more), washers on the other hand are something that you CANNOT do without and cheap enough to stock tons.
I usually get my SS clamps from any DIY store, easy to get and simple to store, unlike neoprene washers (the get part, not store).
And if you get a cleaning kit and money isn't really a factor, get the pressurized can vs. pump.
KB

[PointPleasantNJBeerguy]

Ok see your point on the lube.. Just never needed it in that fashion with a stuck keg.co2 line you only need like 12ft for a double setup in that unit.

[KillianBoy]

PointPleasantNJBeerguy,
With the keg seal (connection between coupler and keg), not really a need but a preventive measure, "just in case", once it happens, you understand why the pros use it and why it is used, members have used without and have had no problems but once it happens and you have to fight to remove a coupler from a keg you have to return, you realize just a little lube would have saved you the headache of a stuck coupler.
I originally said 50 feet of beer line since the OP said 3 taps would be the goal, most members here start at 10 feet per faucet (30 feet), even if you go 6 feet (18 feet), it would be cheaper to go with a 50 foot reel of beer line and as I always said one can never have too much beer line, always good to have a good supply on hand, "just in case".
KB