Draft Equipment/Trailer Repairs

[daryl]

I am posting this to give everyone an opportunity to log Hardware issues they encountered while setting up/taking down the bars/jockey box/tents.

1) Checkout and repair or replace the regulators; including replacing broken keg-side pressure gauges and CO2 tank side (CO2 level) gauges. While the tank side gauges are not the most reliable, they will tell us if the tanks are empty.

2) Jockey Box - replace all of the lines; I recommend we use a smaller diameter line with plastic quick disconnects; in this way we can disassemble the jockey box when we are done, store all of the lines in the box, and to be able to completely close the top. This will make storage easier as well.

3) Line Replacement for the other bars - again I think smaller lines would be useful (would help with foaming); and we can install longer lengths which will make it easier to attach and change out kegs. We can get some decent line tags so we can easily identify the lines.

2A/3A) Make sure the beverage and gas lines are long enough to hook-up the kegs before they are stored under the bar(s). This goes for all of the bars and the jockey box.

4) Replace all of the tall Quick Disconnects with the shorter ones....or at least make sure the table top bar has the short QDs. That will allow the kegs to fit under the table with some clearance.

5) Order O-Rings for the QDs - some are leaking (Beverage Line #2 on the 8-tap bar is leaking).

6) Buy a decent extension cord - there are times where AC is available to drive our pumps but we would need at least one extension cord.

7) Mark each bar with a log of when lines were replaced/taps replaced/lines cleaned etc..

8 ) Make sure there are manifolds for each bar/jockey box.

9) Replace the cracked drip trays; consider other more durable alternatives, if cost-effective.

10) Have Chalk Pens and capability to erase/change the chalk boards.

11) Check, and if necessary repair, the keg bins, prior to the pour events.

12) Consider having on hand: Duct tape, masking tape, and/or strapping tape; a small quantity of rope and/or bungee cords to hang banners.

13) We are still challenged with the tower cooling systems (inverters, batteries, pumps); except for the batteries, everything should be stored in one container OR one container for each of the bars that contains everything needed to run the cooling system for that bar - mark the container for that bar. Someone needs to be responsible for making sure the batteries are charged prior to Benz, Rivers Edge, Drink Local, and Brew BQ.

14) Consider buying HW so that more taps and lines can be daisy-chained together to speed up the preparing the bars for use or storage (i.e. tubing to daisy chain taps together, MFL barrel fittings or, even better, Beverage Quick Disconnect barrel fittings - allows two beverage QDs to be connected together). This will significantly speed up the process of cleaning the lines/taps at the beginning of the season and flushing the lines/taps after each use. If we removed the QDs and daisy chained the lines with MFL barrel fittings - then each line could be easily drained after cleaning/flushing. We should be draining all of the lines prior to Winter storage - I think we've been lucky on this one.

[carrisr]

Make sure we have gas manifolds for both the jockey box and the table top bar. We were missing one for the Fest.

[daryl]

Make sure we have gas manifolds for both the jockey box and the table top bar. We were missing one for the Fest.

Nice catch....added. Thanks Randy.

[wyzzyrdd]

The beer lines definitely need to be long enough that you can connect the line to the keg before you put the keg under the bar or table.
Same with the gas line.

[daryl]

The beer lines definitely need to be long enough that you can connect the line to the keg before you put the keg under the bar or table.
Same with the gas line.

It is in the list, thanks Pat.

[tony b]

Memories fade, but I seem to remember that the drip trays were starting to crack and should be replaced. I think that an "upgrade" from these flimsy paint trays would be in order. Or, get several extras over what we need, so we have spares, in case one breaks/leaks.

Let's consider having some key "spare parts" in the trailer. One example - a spare battery, inverter and pump for the chiller system.

We need white board markers and erasers. Do we still have the chalk board? Chalk & eraser for that, too.

A selection of various sizes of zip ties would be handy. Also, tape - duct and masking, strapping tape (reinforced). Maybe some of that "infomercial" waterproof tape/goop if we need to repair a leaky tub?

Some small rope/heavy cord for tying up the banner or hanging signage.

[daryl]

Memories fade, but I seem to remember that the drip trays were starting to crack and should be replaced. I think that an "upgrade" from these flimsy paint trays would be in order. Or, get several extras over what we need, so we have spares, in case one breaks/leaks.

Let's consider having some key "spare parts" in the trailer. One example - a spare battery, inverter and pump for the chiller system.

We need white board markers and erasers. Do we still have the chalk board? Chalk & eraser for that, too.

A selection of various sizes of zip ties would be handy. Also, tape - duct and masking, strapping tape (reinforced). Maybe some of that "infomercial" waterproof tape/goop if we need to repair a leaky tub?

Some small rope/heavy cord for tying up the banner or hanging signage.

Thanks Tony - I believe I have captured the essence of your list in the original post.

[karl]

One problem we seem to consistently have is that out batteries are discharged (and perhaps damaged).

I'd recommend a battery charging/tender station to keep the batteries up. Perhaps a tray/crate with slots for the batteries and a tender/charger like the following: NOCO Genius2x4. Some pigtails with quick disconnects that match those on the pumps would make for quick transition from maintenance to setup and back.

I volunteer to build it.

Karl