Dispensing Pressure And Beer Line Length, Help?

[dagwood]

Hi,

I've recently purchased a keg setup, and before I keg my first brew, I'm after some insight from experienced keggers.

From reading these forums, 100kpa seems to be the general consensus on dispensing pressure. From what I can work out, this would give 2.75 Volumes of C02 (Assuming the fridge is set to 4 degrees, which most people seem to agree on)?

I like my beer colder, so my fridge is set to 0 degrees. So.... to achieve the 2.75 Volumes of C02, then I would have to set my reg for 73 kpa? Sound about right?


So... my question is....
I have 3m of 6mm beer line. I've read varying figures as to the amount of pressure drop in 6mm line, and am a bit confused. Does the 3m @ 6mm sound ok for the pressure drop? One set of figures I read, said I'd need over 6m, another said 3m. Help?

I've tried searching on the net for charts on pressure drop / flow restriction, but cant seem to find anything useful.


Cheers.

 

[ant]

Hi dagwood,

Best resource I've found was crozdogs Excel chart, available here

Seriously, he has done a fantastic job - easy to play around with the variables and get your head around the differences temp and line size etc make.

Beers,
Ant

 

[crozdog]

Hi dagwood,

Best resource I've found was crozdogs Excel chart, available here

Seriously, he has done a fantastic job - easy to play around with the variables and get your head around the differences temp and line size etc make.

Beers,
Ant

Thanks for the praise Ant,

I put that spreadsheet together when asking myself similar questions to dagwood when i was setting up my keg fridge but could only find info in PSI/feet/inches, plus the formula were a bit cumbersome to work with when there were several variables.

Dagwood, be aware that the chart is for designing a balanced system. I suggest you read the kegging wiki articles here, if you haven't already.

You will find (through playing with the spreadsheet) that you will probably end up compromising your setup if you brew a variety of styles due to the differences caused by the variations in temperature & carbonation level for different styles.

Don't forget its easier & cheaper to stuff around with a spreadsheet than metres of beer line. B)

Beers,

crozdog

 

[dagwood]

Thanks for that guys.

I'd been to that page numerous times before, and never saw the link to the spreadsheet.

I use spreadsheets for so many things, be it at work, or home; and I must say... thats a damn nice one.

So once again.. thanks for the help.

 

[paul]

Most people use 5mm beer line as it will allow you to have a shorter line length.

4mm has 42kpa resistance per metre.
5mm has 33 kpa resistance per metre.
6mm has 23 kpa resistance per metre.
8mm has 8kpa resistance per metre.
10mm has 2.5kpa resistance per metre.

If your drinking ales id set the reg on 75kpa and lagers at 100kpa

I use 3m of 5mm with good results on both beers.