I use an esky with ice and water, using a pond pump to circulate on my flooded font. Its only worth the effort for a big session. It gets a nice sweat of condensation on it. To get it to freeze up you need to use a temprite or freezer and glycol solution and be happy with the power bill. Note a...
Campbells cash and carry had headmasters under $2/schooner last time I looked. In SA if you have RAA membership you can shop there without a membership (which is free, just need an ABN)
For ambient temperature water, the carbonators run at ~85psi CO2 which is 580 kpa so its above mains pressure (houses built to current standards are no more than 500kpa). The pump is needed to to force the water into the carbonation chamber and they have check valves. The pumps are triggered by...
I'm running off a keg that I run at ~25psi CO2 for now but sick of filling it up. I've done the research and I'm lining one up for my next trip. 220V units are too expensive. I have a 240/110 transformer sitting idle. the 50/60hz won't make much difference as its not running much in a domestic...
If 9L kegs are that cheap now (thanks KK/KL price war) might make it a little hard for the price.
I've mainly looked on ebay and have seen them from around $100 used for a McCann 'big mac' 1gal tank. Chi company usually have them for $100 used or $175 refurb (no stock at the moment)...
If you ever head to the USA you can pick up a used soda carbonator that can be pumbed in for less than the cost of a 9L keg. Never need to fill it up then ;)
AS3000:2007 clause 3.7.2.11(b)(ii) allows single screw terminals for earth conductors provided screws have an outside diameter of not less than 80% of the tunnel diameter. A few people got caught out for missing that clause when Clipsal stopped shipping 2screw connectors with junction boxes.
You'll need the expensive high silver content (45% or better) silver solder and flux. Best to get it from a welding supply specialist (eg BOC) who can provide the product technical info and make sure you get a food grade alloy (as silver solder can have up to 25% cadmium which makes it easy to...
I don't think you can drive those relays straight from the BCS.
Only reason for an 'intermediate' (assuming relay has sufficient mains insulation) is where you need more current than available from the controller output to switch the relay (G2R needs 100mA at 5v).
Can't find info on BCS...
Another thing to consider is that Mauribrew recommend pitching 50-80g/hl which means pitching 11 to 18g for a 23L litre batch - more than double what is normally provided under the lid. Other strains have even higher recommended pitch rates.
The effects of not having enough yeast to begin with...
Buying a 6.8kg outright = 2 years rental charges. BOC, Supagas, etc refills are slightly cheaper than getting your own filled/swap at the LHBS but not paying rent. I own my CO2 cylinder and rent a Cellamix 40 nitrogen mix from BOC for stout.
With the bigger 6 - 6.8kg (depending on Kegking...
If it has a 1/4" NPT thread on the regulator body you can go to BOC and buy a CO2 inlet nut & stem kit, eg http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...st&p=733836