Filling kegs with 5way manifold (advice)

[WWSean]

Hey All,

So I am starting to get together our keg transferring equipment and was wondering if any has advice on going with a 5 head manifold. Currently I am looking at using this manifold http://www.gwkent.com/manifold-5port.html with this beer nut to TC fitting http://www.gwkent.com/beer-nut-female.html with the SS valves. Now my real question is what is the ideal tube ID and length to use to cut down on waste and have optimal transfer speed. i plan on using the FOB from GWkent on standard couplers I have in house. I also plan on only using 4 of the ports for the time being and maybe adding more if necessary.

Any advice would be great.

Sean

[Todd Hicks]

I use 10' of 1/2" braided hose with 1/2" beer nut barb to the sanke fill head and a 1.5 TC to 1/2" hose barb to the manifold. Manifold is 1.5" TC with an extra T on the end for 6 fill heads. No problems using the old style sanke fill heads. Jury is still out on the new style.

[WWSean]

Do you have any issues with foam with that ID of tube? I was thinking of going to 1/2" as well but was worried there wasn't enough restriction to keep CO2 from coming out of solution.

[dmartin]

Do you have any issues with foam with that ID of tube? I was thinking of going to 1/2" as well but was worried there wasn't enough restriction to keep CO2 from coming out of solution.

My science may not be up to par, but ID of tubing shouldn't make a difference with c02 coming out of solution if you are counter pressure filling. It should only affect speed of filling.


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[porter]

That's a greta and simple approach

Don't worry about gas breakout- you just need to maintain adequate head pressure.

I would go with 3/8" clear vinyl tubing and TC hose barbs. The beer nut and tailpiece build is just more places for stuff to hide and you to disassemble. 3/8" is more than adequate for filling kegs and the clear line will show wear and tear so you can decide when to replace it.

Also, try to hang the lines in a straight line vertically to let them dry in between uses or they'll cloud up- although this is dependent on what CIP regimen and chemicals you're using.