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> Upgrading to Glycol
JayMan
post Jul 1 2009, 09:14 PM
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Joined: 30-June 09
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Greetings,

This is my first post and I apologise if I have posted in the wrong area but I didn't really see a heading that covered dispensing equipment. So moderators feel free to move this accordingly.

I have built a kegerator using a deepfreeze.
I control the temperature using one of the Micromatic controls wired into the compressor.
I have my beer line run through 2inch pvc up to my tap tower.
I am using a high CF bathroom fan to pump cold air through the 2 PVC up to the tap tower in order to keep both the beer line and tower cold.
I have this all encased in a 4" PVC so when the air falls from the tap tower it is brought back to the freezer. Kind of a closed loop convection system.

My system is running acceptably but I am sure it can be improved.
My freezer temp is set at 29f with a 3degree varience so the temp varies between 29 and 32 before the compressor kicks in.
The controller probe is at the bottom of the freezer.
I also have a small LCD thermometer at the top of the keg andit shows about a 4degree difference (warmer). Some of this varience might be the cheapness of the LCD thermoeter but mostly it stays within the 4degree of the bottom so I chalk it up to it just being warmer.

Now the run from the freezer to the tap is just about 30feet. My pour temp varies from 38 to 41 (note the 3degree varience in the freezer cycle).

For most of my brews 38 is probably the optium pour temp however I don't like having a 9degree difference between keg and tap.
I am not suffering from too much foam but if I leave the keg alone for a couple of days I do generally pour off 1/2 a pint and pitch it down the sink as it has been sitting in the lines and it is warmer (close to 50) thus skunky. The next pint or pitcher generally comes out perfect. My wasteage is not as concerning to me as the possibility of bacteria from the warmer line. I clean every keg change and have not had any problems after 8 months but.....

SO.... (and thanks to you who have taken the time to read through this).

I am considering upgrading my system to glycol as 30 feet is just too long for an air cooled system.

The way that has been suggested to me was to use about a 5gal bucket and a submersable pump....

1. Can anyone recommend a container that might be suitable for this. Bucket is a very loose term and I certainly won't be using just a pail for this.
2. I was looking at this unit as a possible for the pump. http://www.serenityhealth.com/fountain_pro...345-p-1262.html
The tap will be less that 4ft above the level of the gycol "bucket" and this pump says it should do 8ft. I am however concerned that Glycol is heavier than water and am a bit concerned over the back pressure of pushing the fluid back into the "bucket" (again closed loop). Any other suggestions for a pump would be appreciated.
3. I was looking to use a food grade line - same as my beer line to run the glycol. Do I need to be strapping this to the beer line or do you think just having this in the same 2" pvc conduit would be enough ? again someone suggest I use copper but I really think that is over kill. When I researched professional beer lines (trunk lines) these all seem to be plastic or vinal http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/hoses-cid-367.html However at $10/ft this just seems a tad expensive.
4. I see no reason to elminate my current fan. Any thoughts why I should. I think air cirulation in the freezer is a good idea

Once again thanks for taking the time for this long read....

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