CO2 Manifolds - DIY?

[rookiebrewer37]

Hey all,

I have a chest freezer that is soon to be a homebrew serving fridge. I have 1 regulator right now, and only serve beer at this point...so I would just want a manifold that I can individually turn the lines on/off. I would also want a check valve. I am looking at 3-4 now with the option to expand. Eventually I'll get into root beer or other non-alc drinks, so I will get a secondary regulator and another manifold...

Now the question...Has anyone made manifolds with check valves? If so, where did you get the materials and how was it assembled?

I have been looking at the ones NB carries, but I can't justify the cost! It seems so simple to be that expensive.

Thanks!

[raelx]

You might have better luck with this in the draft forum but here's my take. Here is what i recently posted in that forum kind of related to that

I bought a 6 port anodized aluminum header (distributor) from McMaster Carr for $15. a 6 pack of 1/8" and 1/4" NPT hose barbs was another $6 or so. Pluse $3 for plugs for the ports i'm not using. 5 min with some teflon tape and I have a great non leaking distributor. I can post the part numbers if you want.

You can see it below, click to enlarge


Headers are on this page on this page Pick what ever number of ports you want. I got a 6 port single sided anodized aluminum.

I put a check valve on the input to the manifold 7768K22

And 1/8" and 1/4" hose barbs 5346K14 & 5346K13

And plugs, 1/8" and 1/4" 50785K112 & 50785K113

In the end I guess it was $30 but i got a 6/7 post distributor with a check valve ($7 of the cost) on the inlet. A bargane compaired to what most beer places want.

I only have a check valve on the inlet to the manifold. I'm not sure why you would want check valves on each line. It will add at least $3.25 per line (bottom of this page). I have only had one back flow into the manifold when I connected an unpressurized keg up to the system while force carbonating another keg. So there was a dip tube on the line. Under normal situations you wouldn't have a liquid line on that side. It took me 5 min to flush the requlator out with starsan, no problem.

Also I haven't seen any reason to have shut offs on each line, that's why there are poppets on the corny quick disconnects. Again if you want this it is goint to add $4 to each line. So if you want something like what NB sels it will cost you about what they charge for it. I say no shutoffs, and only one check vale. And you can have a 6 port manifold for $30.

[johnm42]

I built my own. It's made from 3/8" close nipples and T's. Each outlet has a regulator and a check valve. I got the check valves and air regulators from McMaster Carr. I keep my tank regulator at about 40 lbs then set my invdividual regulators. My next improvement will be a gauge on each regulator. Right now, I have a gauge on a gas in post from a bad corny.

I think I got this right. If not, PM me. Here's a pic.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/johnm42us/detail?.dir=fd83&.dnm=9a6a.jpg&.src=ph

[TG]

I like the brass parts like John. They are easy to add on. But aren't those 1/8"? Tom

[NEWOLDRUNK]

I like being able to shut each line as needed. AHBS has started selling these. Still not real inexpensive, though. IMO, it looks like you could build your own cheaper. I'm sure hardware stores sell fittings and shut off valves like they are using. This pic gives you a good idea how to build one if you wanted to.

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_i ... s_id=10206

-J.K.L.