Temp and CO2 question

[honch057]

I like my beer as cold as possible and have my beer temp at 30-32F when measured using the thermometer from micromatic in the liquid vial. Question is... what pressure should i be running the CO2 at with this colder temp? I am at almost sea level and the problem i am having is the first draw is mostly foam when set around 12. After that draw it is ok if i keep pouring glasses. If i bump the CO2 up to around 15, the beer seems to pour too fast and gets wild in the glass. Also, not sure if its related. I have a sears bought Frigidaire full size fridge/freezer kegerator. It is all micromatic components. The CO2 and reg are inside the fridge and it seems like the low side of the CO2 is a real pain to maintain pressure. I have this at a vacation house and go there weekly. When i get there, the pressure seems to be a few pounds different from when i set it the week before. Thanks everyone in advance for your help.

[ne14vw]

if it was me, i would go to 36 degrees and 14 psi, with refrigerated glasses for the extra cold effect, you could even go with frozen glasses if you rinse the inside first or make a "warm" line with your finger before you poor(to avoid "wild" poor). there is a formula that makes up the pressure/temp ratio and if you want properly carbonated beer you really should follow it. beer that is too cold generally creates a flatter poor, and over compensating the pressure can lead to a too fast over carbonated poor, also resulting in a flat beer.

[ne14vw]

also, keeping the c02 in the fridge doesnt effect the pressure point until you get well below freezing. you may have a faulty regulator or have a leak in the line. since you only use it periodically, i would just be sure to close the air line( maybe even pull the reg off) before i pack up for the week, making sure the keg is still carbonated or empty of course.

[honch057]

I checked the temp again this weekend after calibrating a thermometer and it is 34deg poured beer. So temp shouldnt be my problem. I know everyone says it should be about 38, but I would imagine that the regulator should hold a constant pressure regardless of temp. Mine is fluctuating by as much as 4-6lbs. As a result i keep playing with the set point and wind up with gas bubbles in the beer line above the coupler. I sent MM an email explaining i believe i have a bad regulator..... lets see what happens from there.