Dual body versus single body CO2 regulator

Kegging
1

I’m looking at various CO2 setups that would supply 2 ball lock kegs. I’d like to be able to switch one off for cleaning while the other is active. At first I was leaning to the dual body regulator then read some comments about single body regulator with a distributor. Appears to be a little cheaper.

My question is what is used between the single body regulator and the distributor?

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/dual ... utlet.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/2-wa ... toffs.html

I can’t find any ready made parts on NB to connect the two items.

I did find this item which would require me to purchase 2 of them and other parts and assemble with 1/4" or 3/16" ID beverage tubing in between.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/1-4- ... l-nut.html

Is this the way to connect the single body regulator to the distributor?

Thanks.

2

If you just want to switch between kegs, then all you need is a distributer. The dual gauge is nice for running different pressures on the two kegs. The distributer just spits the connection and allows you to shut them off individually. I bought a single gauge regulator and think I’m going to upgrade, so I can force carb one keg and set the other to serving pressure. If you want the cheap route though, get a single regulator with a distributor. You can always upgrade later.

PS I have 2 kegs currently and just a single regulator. I just switch my gas line manually from one keg to another.

3

Just add a tee another line and add a gas ball lock and save yourself some money.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brew ... l-gas.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/s-s-tee-3-8.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/s-s- ... 6-1-4.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/s-s-tee-5-16.html
4

Thanks for both ideas of just flipping the ball valve or just using a tee. Cheers :cheers:

5

The “T” would be the uber cheap way.

With a distributor you could shut the valve to your “good” keg. Then up the pressure to the one that you want to quickly force carbonate.

If you draw a couple pints from your good keg and find it pouring slowly, you can crack the valve on the distributor and get a little more pressure in that keg.

Of course you can accomplish this with only on gas disconnect or a “T”. But what a pain switching it between kegs or pulling on off/on. :?

6

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to go with the dual regulator because it’ll give me the flexibility of different pressures.

7

I think you’ll be happy with your decision. It’s nice to be able to have styles with different carbonation profiles on tap at the same time without having to fiddle with valves, switching lines or adjust the regulator.

8

Go with a double you will be glad you did. Check this one out. It’s on sale for $59. This is the one I have that was recommended to me when I set mine up. The knob makes it easy to adjust without having to use a screwdriver like the the one you posted.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbee ... ator.shtml
9

[quote=“drew22to375”]Go with a double you will be glad you did. Check this one out. It’s on sale for $59. This is the one I have that was recommended to me when I set mine up. The knob makes it easy to adjust without having to use a screwdriver like the the one you posted.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbee ... ator.shtml[/quote]

That’s a dual gauge regulator, not double body. The double body is two regulators you can set independently. You might look into getting low side (secondary) regulators. I think they’re cheaper than the primary regulator. You will pay twice as much for double body since it is essentially two $60 regulators.

BTW my setup is one dual gauge regulator (one pressure) to a 4-way distributor with shut-offs. If I’m going to quick carb a keg at 20psi, I will turn the pressure off at the distributor to the other kegs.
:cheers: