I've had a Danby Chill 'n Tap (model DKC645BLS) for about a year now. Like many others, I had a big foam problem from the start. I've been compensating by lowering the CO2 pressure so that the gauge reads near-zero (I suspect the gauge is off), which has led to flat beer.
I finally decided to fix these problems, thanks to several really helpful posts on this forum. So I bought the 12 CFM Dayton blower and the Brewer's Edge Temperature Controller II.
After I installed the blower, I was curious if I should run it continuously or just have it come on with the compressor. I also wanted to know if I even needed the temp controller, since my thermometers indicated it was getting below 32°F without any modifications. So I borrowed some data logging equipment from work and monitored the temps in the top of the tower, in about a quart of water sitting on top of the keg, in the air around the top of the keg, and outside the kegerator (in my garage).
I found that with the blower on part-time duty, the temps in the tower were getting as high as about 60°F. I then took about 10 hours' worth of data with the blower running continously. Here are the plots of temp vs. time:
And here are some stats (min/max/mean):
Tower: 33.1/44.2/39.3
Water: 35.9/36.8/36.4
Air: 33.7/40.5/37.4
I was very surprised that the kegerator is keeping the water at right around 36°, given all the stories I've heard about it not getting cold enough. I have it set at 36°, BTW. So my first question is, do I really need the temp controller? I mean, I could set it lower to get those tower temps down but then my beer would get too cold, right? I guess another benefit would be that I could set a smaller differential so the tower wouldn't warm up so much. Or is a max tower temp of 44° okay?
Also, I tapped a new keg and set the CO2 to an indicated 13 psi, and I got a glass of almost 100% foam. Days later, I am still getting about 75% foam. Given the speed it's coming out at, I really think the pressure has to be much higher than 13 psi. So I ordered the "premium" regulator from Micromatic in hopes that the gauge would be more accurate. I also ordered new beer and gas lines in case that has anything to do with it. I do clean my lines regularly but I am running out of ideas. Is there anything else that might be causing all this foam?
I finally decided to fix these problems, thanks to several really helpful posts on this forum. So I bought the 12 CFM Dayton blower and the Brewer's Edge Temperature Controller II.
After I installed the blower, I was curious if I should run it continuously or just have it come on with the compressor. I also wanted to know if I even needed the temp controller, since my thermometers indicated it was getting below 32°F without any modifications. So I borrowed some data logging equipment from work and monitored the temps in the top of the tower, in about a quart of water sitting on top of the keg, in the air around the top of the keg, and outside the kegerator (in my garage).
I found that with the blower on part-time duty, the temps in the tower were getting as high as about 60°F. I then took about 10 hours' worth of data with the blower running continously. Here are the plots of temp vs. time:
And here are some stats (min/max/mean):
Tower: 33.1/44.2/39.3
Water: 35.9/36.8/36.4
Air: 33.7/40.5/37.4
I was very surprised that the kegerator is keeping the water at right around 36°, given all the stories I've heard about it not getting cold enough. I have it set at 36°, BTW. So my first question is, do I really need the temp controller? I mean, I could set it lower to get those tower temps down but then my beer would get too cold, right? I guess another benefit would be that I could set a smaller differential so the tower wouldn't warm up so much. Or is a max tower temp of 44° okay?
Also, I tapped a new keg and set the CO2 to an indicated 13 psi, and I got a glass of almost 100% foam. Days later, I am still getting about 75% foam. Given the speed it's coming out at, I really think the pressure has to be much higher than 13 psi. So I ordered the "premium" regulator from Micromatic in hopes that the gauge would be more accurate. I also ordered new beer and gas lines in case that has anything to do with it. I do clean my lines regularly but I am running out of ideas. Is there anything else that might be causing all this foam?
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