1st time kegerator owner with questions.

[Ron85]

Hello,

I'm going to purchase my 1st kegerator. Im going to use this system for a shop which we will be filling growlers only. I decided on the Beverage Air BM23. I plan to dispense FOUR 1/6
Kegs from a 4 tower Micro Matic DS-144pps. Now that's as far as I got, and was hoping someone could help/reccomand with the rest.

For couplers I was thinking of (4). Of the below, I will purchase one of each other style in the future if we run other keg styles.
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/keg-taps-couplers-pid-7485E.html

For regulator I was thinking below? Just incase if we need to run different pressure in the future.
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642-Battery.html

4-Way Gas Distributor, Aluminum
http://www.micromatic.com/product.aspx?pid=751-019

Lines:
Open for recommendations I'm thinking 10ft.

Also I wanted to find some type of wand for this micro matic tower but I can't see to find anything?

I'm assuming I have everything covered above correct I'm open for any recommendations on couplers, lines and cleaning solutions.

Ron

[KillianBoy]

Ron85,
I’m not sure if you are a joe blow like us who wants to pour beer and then wants to sell (or give away?) growlers or a person who is a commercial bar/pub/brewery owner who wants to sell/give away growlers, but no matter, you have several points that need addressing:
Every beer has a different v/v, UNLESS all your beers come from the same brewery, so it is best to get 1 primary regulator (high pressure), then a manifold that has separate gauges for each beer (secondary, low pressure). The manifold you posted will work only of you have beers of the same v/v.
The BM-23 will hold 4 Corny kegs (which needs a totally different delivery system from standard couplers), IF using standard kegs, the most you can fit is 3 (1/6 kegs) in a BM-23.
MM sells a special faucet that fills growlers specifically, I think wands are mainly for home brewing/bottling.
Next post can you post EXACTLY what you want to do and for what purpose (commercial filling of growlers might be regulated where you have your business).
No matter what, I think the BM-23 isn’t a right tool. I’d go with a keezer conversion.
KB

[Ron85]

This is going to be for a commerical liquor store. Beers will be coming from many brewery's around the states (dogfish,victory, flying dog etc) does micro sell a primary regulator (high pressure) if so what model would you suggest? I keep goggleing and keep coming up with the regular I posted above. What type of manifold would I use? Would I need a manifold then? From doing more research on forums and sizing I have found 4x, 1/6th bbl, will fit but difficult and i have to use a slim 2.5lb CO2 cylider or locate the gas outside). I looked at the grower faust but they are almost $600each! A lot of the other stores pour straight from the tap into the growler around my store or use a wand or beer line pipe cut to work.

[KillianBoy]

Ron85,
I don't know how this will go over if you don't want to shell out for a commercial faucet:

Manifold : http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-8241.html

Primary : http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642HP.html.

I don't know, but if you can drain the keg in a day or 2, you might get away with just using 1 primary and bunch of "T" connectors. Most of the info on this site is dedicated to pouring beer the right way (balance beer to v/v and temperature), applying the same PSI to all beers is something most members here won't do.
Again I think a BM-23 is overkill, chest freezer and external temperature controller is enough and about 1/2 the price and will definitely will hold 3 1/6 kegs with no problem. Use party pumps, add a hose as a wand and you are good, depending on what is allowed in your area.
KB

[Ron85]

Killian,
Thanks for the quick response. I agree on the bm23 being overkill, but it's a great tax write off mainly the reason why I'm leaning towards that. What would you say is the proper and ideal way to run 4 beers? I will just purchase what you reccomnded and do it the right way. This is the reason why I joined a forum because I'm clueless, I truly
Appreciate your help

Ron85,
I don't know how this will go over if you don't want to shell out for a commercial faucet:

Manifold : http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-8241.html

Primary : http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642HP.html.

I don't know, but if you can drain the keg in a day or 2, you might get away with just using 1 primary and bunch of "T" connectors. Most of the info on this site is dedicated to pouring beer the right way (balance beer to v/v and temperature), applying the same PSI to all beers is something most members here won't do.
Again I think a BM-23 is overkill, chest freezer and external temperature controller is enough and about 1/2 the price and will definitely will hold 3 1/6 kegs with no problem. Use party pumps, add a hose as a wand and you are good, depending on what is allowed in your area.
KB

[Ron85]

Killian,

I am buying a commercial Faust just not the growler add on unit for $600 when some beer line tubeing could be used instead. I did more research let me know what you think of this setup now.

Kegerator-BM23
Tower Faust:http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/towers-pid-DS-144-PSS.html
Primary co2: reg-http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642-2.html
Regulator style manifold:http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/gas-equipment-pid-1164.html

Above would be the correct way? Now each keg with be pressured Individually.
Olny concerns:
1. What size legth/diamator should my air line from main reg to reg manifold be? And what connection should be at the end of the air lines to keg
2. What size beer lines? Length 10ft? And diamator? 5/16?

Co2 tank 10lb which I will buy local

[KillianBoy]

Ron85,
Look at the home kegerator section for instructions, each model has similar instructions on how to hook things up.
I honestly don’t think 4 1/6 kegs will fit, 4 cornys, yes. The last manifold you referenced is fine, primary also fine but #642 is sufficient. Beer line is 3/16 clear, I’d allocate 8 feet per product, get the 50 foot roll, gas line is 5/16 red preferred, length is what takes to move kegs around comfortably, if you put manifold outside you are going to need more gas line and find a way to run all your lines to kegs.
Again the correct way is to have proper PSI to each beer, but if you turnover a keg between 1-3 days I’d run “T” connectors at 8-10 PSI with 1 primary, 1 hose in. Also if you get the 4-faucet tower, you will have to open the tower hole up to prevent bad foam.
I have no idea what a faust is, I guess it must be your auto correct.
KB

[djc]

I can't see a growler filling business working well using sixths. Sixths basically wind up at the same cost as bottles on the retail side. You will get 8 maybe 9 fills per keg and have to switch. I think the only way for this to be profitable is if you use halves.

[Ron85]

I like to thank you Killian, you have been very helpful. I got lucky on beer lines the micro matic towers come with 8ft line attached. So I won't have to purchase any beer lines. djc a lot of what we can buy from our wholesales 90% is 1/6 which is the reason why were using the 1/6.

Here is my full setup minus my BM23, and 10lb co2 tank. Do you think im missing anything or overlooked something.


I like to thank you Killian, you have been very helpful. I got lucky on beer lines the micro matic towers come with 8ft line attached. So I won't have to purchase any beer lines. djc a lot of what we can buy from our wholesales 90% is 1/6 which is the reason why were using the 1/6.




Here is my full setup minus my BM23, and 10lb co2 tank. Do you think im missing anything or overlooked something.












http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/imagevuoc.jpg/

[KillianBoy]

Ron85,
Everything looks good, except you need a special tool for the clamps, also tools for faucet removal, and cleaning kits (sorry if you have or plan on ordering). If it were me I'd get the cans for cleaning and clean at least once a week, for BLC, I'd go the powder weekly and every 6 months or so go with the professional cleaning fluid, also wands or hoses for the growler fill. I bought a hose from a competitor, I couldn't fill anything without a serious mess (tower is way to short to fill bottles) and massive foam in bottle.
Other that this, I think you are good, good luck, hoper it works out.
KB

[djc]

Report back, it would be great to know how it goes once you are up and running.

[Ron85]

Purchased the camping tool and cleaner kit thanks for the heads up. I will report back and post photos of the setup hopefully by next weekend. Thanks to both you,

[Ron85]

Got my kegerator today! I left a bowl of water and digital stat to check the cooling before I fill it with kegs. Four 1/6 do fit, my co2 does need to be mounted outside. Now my issue there's no pre drilled holes for this? Where should I drill? Keep in my mind my secondary regulars have to be mounted outside also, so the gauge of hole is going to be size of a golf ball. Any suggestions?

http://s660.photobucket.com/user/lexani18zzz/media/image-2.jpg.html

http://s660.photobucket.com/user/lexani18zzz/media/image-3.jpg.html

[KillianBoy]

Ron85,
I did mention this in an earlier post, it's easier to run 1 hose to a manifold inside instead of drilling 4 holes (or 1 big one that might leak air). The sides are best but looks like you have it pretty settled in, you can drill through the back but you have to be careful, get some one to watch and make sure you don't damage something important when you drill, compressor, wiring and tubing are fatally allergic to sharp objects. If you don't care what it looks like you could drill holes in the tower. If it were me, I would mount the manifold inside and drill 1 hole high left side.
KB

[Ron85]

Good point, ill drill one hole on the right side. I have enclosed a photo, I made marks where I should mount my regulator, I'm just not sure if I should use a small screw and not penetrate the back side or go all the way through since this regulator is pretty heavy? I figured I use option 1 so it's more secure, do you think those markings look pretty safe to drill through? I noticed the coolants lines run directly under the tape measure I posted.

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu328/lexani18zzz/image-5.jpg

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu328/lexani18zzz/image-6.jpg