Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Discussions about brewing equipment / design.
Schwerkraftbrauer
Posts: 469
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:40 pm

Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Schwerkraftbrauer »

I was gifted a regulator (30 plus years old) a while back in the beginning of my keezer build. I've fiddled with it enough, it leaks, it's old, and I wanna buy a new one vs. fixing this one. My keezer is almost done so I'm getting the itch to use it.

A)Where does everyone buy there regulators?

B) Are there specific things i should be looking for in a purchase?

Depending on price I would prefer a dual pressure regulator, but can make a single pressure regulator work. I've looked on Amazon for them and there are so many to pick from each with positive and negative reviews. Single pressure regulators on Amazon are anywhere from around $40 to around $65, but i understand buying cheaper is not always the best for quality purposes.
Where do i begin?
Thanks
Jones County Joel

Grassy Null Brewery
User avatar
daryl
Posts: 1621
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:07 pm
Location: Springville, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by daryl »

I prefer the ones that have the tank pressure gauge and another gauge that shows the output of the regulated pressure....iif you get a dual regulator, then you would have three gauges total.

When I replace my regulators, I will only buy those that have a knob you can hand turn to set the regulated pressure.....avoid those that require a screwdriver. I have not seen one yet that used a hex nut, but that would be a suitable compromise for me.
In the Fridge/On Tap: English Bitter, Schwarzbier, Cream Ale
In the keg: Wheat Beer, Russian Imperial Stout
In the bucket:
In the queue: Irish Red, American IPA
User avatar
tony b
Posts: 2959
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:13 pm
Location: CR, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by tony b »

Here's the one that I have. They make a dual one as well.

https://www.austinhomebrew.com/Taprite- ... _4709.html
A Mighty Wind's A Brewing

“Life is short - break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile” ― Mae West
TappedOut
Posts: 574
Joined: Wed May 14, 2008 10:27 am

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by TappedOut »

I've had mine since forever, but don't do what I did, which was to get one that requires a screwdriver to adjust the pressure. PITA, but it works, so I'm not buying another. A cage to protect would be a good idea, too. That said, I have a 5# tank, that I just keep in a Menards bucket.
User avatar
karl
Posts: 424
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:09 pm

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by karl »

+1 on Taprite. They seem to work well and are easy to adjust.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
On Tap at the Laughing-Kitten Pub:
* Foggy Bottom NEIPA
* Gluten Free Stoutish Ale
* Botched Bitter
* Club Barrel Robust Porter (cellar)
On deck/fermenting:
* Belle's Helles (cue AC/DC)
User avatar
Matt F
Posts: 3771
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:09 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Matt F »

Another vote for tap-rite. Get the knob. The ones with a screw are easy to seize up. You can get this stuff at Rapids Wholesale in Marion too.
https://rapidswholesale.com/double-gauge-regulator.html
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
User avatar
tony b
Posts: 2959
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:13 pm
Location: CR, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by tony b »

Good reminder about Rapids. I never even think about them anymore when I am looking for stuff. I used to go there a lot.
A Mighty Wind's A Brewing

“Life is short - break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile” ― Mae West
Schwerkraftbrauer
Posts: 469
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:40 pm

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Schwerkraftbrauer »

Does Rapids have a shop to go look at stuff there or is it all online/ phone sales? Taprite does look like to solid equip.
Jones County Joel

Grassy Null Brewery
User avatar
brianhall1024
Posts: 582
Joined: Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:23 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by brianhall1024 »

They have a showroom, but limited on what is in the showroom. I'm sure they'll show the item to you though.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
User avatar
andrewmaixner
Posts: 691
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:26 am

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by andrewmaixner »

BIY carries then also, I think
Schwerkraftbrauer
Posts: 469
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:40 pm

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Schwerkraftbrauer »

Went to Rapids wholesale today, after looking at the website and then talking to the people there I decided to buy the manifold gasket repair kit, figured its worth a shot for 12 bucks. Hopefully it does the trick, i installed it tonight and have pressure sitting in the regulator, ill check it in the morning to see if it's holding.
Jones County Joel

Grassy Null Brewery
Schwerkraftbrauer
Posts: 469
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:40 pm

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Schwerkraftbrauer »

Update: Welp, it was worth a shot, but the gauge doesn't hold pressure with the new gaskets. So ill be looking into a new regulator.
Win some you lose some.....
Jones County Joel

Grassy Null Brewery
User avatar
daryl
Posts: 1621
Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:07 pm
Location: Springville, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by daryl »

Yep, it's worth a shot.

I bet you know a lot more about regulators now (parts, types, vendors, etc.), than you did when you started this process.

It's all good!
In the Fridge/On Tap: English Bitter, Schwarzbier, Cream Ale
In the keg: Wheat Beer, Russian Imperial Stout
In the bucket:
In the queue: Irish Red, American IPA
User avatar
Matt F
Posts: 3771
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:09 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Matt F »

Keep that repair kit for the future.
Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
American IPA
Strata Hazy IPA
Dr. Lee Orval
American Strong Ale
Friend of the Devil Belgian Golden Strong
Imperial Stout
Schwerkraftbrauer
Posts: 469
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:40 pm

Re: Finding a new Regulator Q&A

Post by Schwerkraftbrauer »

Update to the update:
Never say die! I took the regulator all apart and pieced it back together, it has held pressure since Saturday at noon without dropping. Must have had a little cross threading/ something not tightened all the way.
Kegs in and cooling under pressure, got a Pale Ale I've been dieing to taste (kegged the whole batch when i started this build).
Attachments
20180205_132857.jpg
(3.28 MiB) Downloaded 882 times
Jones County Joel

Grassy Null Brewery
Locked