too much head!

[Bugeater]

3/8" beer line is too big for home use. You need to switch to 5/16" to get the line resistance you need. You have CO2 coming out of solution in the beer line plus you are pushing the beer too fast due to the lack of restriction.

The two basic problems are that you don't have a balanced system and that your "shake and bake" carbonation process is inconsistent. Here is a great reference for figuring out how to balance your system and to troubleshoot problems.k http://kegman.net/balance.html

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Crut]

Like bug said, 3/8" beer line is too big. I bought some Gas line, a coupler and some 3/8 beer line off eBay on a combo auction. I tried to make the 3/8" line work, but couldn't get it too work no matter what I did. I had to palce an order with micromatic, so i went ahead and just ordered 50 ft of the 5/16 line. Its worth it for transfering from keg to keg, or when you want to add another tap or while your cleaning another line and need a spare to keep everything hooked up.

[BDawg]

You guys sure about the 5/16?

Most kegerators need 5 to 6 feet of 3/16th ID beer line (mine does). Anything shorter or bigger normally causes foam.

HTH-

[Bugeater]

I must need a beer really bad today! I just subtracted a 1/16th inch off the figure he gave without fully thinking things out. I always use tubing a 1/16" smaller than the nominal size for a tight fit on things. 3/16" is the correct size. Using 5/16" is better than 3/8" but would still require 20+ feet of beer line.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Mylo]

WHOOPS!

Ok, I had off today and started drinking around noon while I was working around the house... Sorry, I meant 3/16" for the beer line. I think I use 5/16" for the gas. Turtles....

Thanks for the correction, guys.


Mylo

[soilpharm]

You guys rip ass! That totally makes sense, and those calcs prove it. I ran through them before, but when I increased the length, there was no difference. I assumed that the 3/8" was standard (that's all they have at the homebrew shop).
Thanks for the advice. I am going to get a longer hose with a skinnier hole so that I get less head!
I couldn't resist.
Seriously, thanks.

[Mylo]

Uh, I think JP does all the ass ripping around here.


Mylo

[soilpharm]

O.k. I got some new tubing, and it is pouring like a dream. I can only assume that it is balanced.

Just a quick question, I think that I slightly overdid it on the length of the tubing 10' rather than 7.7' as the formulae said. Just wondering if I should just leave it (because it is working) or if I should try to trim it back.

Also, when you are working out the distance from the keg to the tap, do you measure from the bottom of the keg, or from the post at the top of the keg.

Thanks for all of the help.
Cheers,

Aa