Help me keg (the sequel)

[Tilt]

Following on from a recent cracker of a thread that paved the way with the foundations of a kegging system I'm looking for ideas on the next step. 

I've got most of the basics  (kegs, reg, CO2 bottle, disconnects) but I'm thinking about the best way set all this up into a system that'll do what I'm looking for. 

So here's what I'm hoping will be the end result:

 - 3 taps (either in an upright fridge or collared chesty - haven't decided yet)

 - 2 different pressures (the higher for force carbing kegs/ the odd wheat or higher carb beer/ CO2 flushing kegs and kids fizz drinks, and lower on two taps for regular ales/ lagers)

 - relatively set and forget once its all set up - I'd like to minimise swapping disconnects and taps/ pressures for everyday use

 - As little cleaning/ maintenance needed as possible for a moderate to low use system - a glass or two a day during the week and more on the weekends

I'm thinking Perlick taps for the forward sealing, low maintenance option, John Guest fittings all around for clean and convenient hose connections and a secondary gas manifold to manage the different pressures.  Is there any more valuable advice from the experienced keggers out there?

[Steve b]

Hi there I'm no expert when it come to the kegging side of it but  taps can be expensive Iim in the process of building my own kegerator , taps are expensive but I found ordered these ones and they seem
To work great for the price 
http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/food-beverage/other-beverages/...

[Chris Banks]

Sounds like you have most of it under control - my main advice would be plan your fridge/freezer/manifold/tap numbers etc for expansion - I always (used to) seem to have more full kegs than taps to put them on and variety is the "spice"

Having two different pressures available is always handy also as you say for force carbing kegs and "engineers sodastream"

Good quality line and john guest fittings = big time saver especially if you want to reconfigure somthing in a hurry...

[Hamish Jones]

I set my dirty old fridge up with three inline regulators on the side with the main regulator off the bottle at carb pressure, that way you can adjust pressures per keg and for carbing you just turn them up, was the easiest way I could find running three taps on the front and getting a good pour on all kegs, you can pick the regs up second hand around TM for about $20 per unit, and just get push lock fittings for the gas line and you can unplug and re-jig with ease

[Tilt]

What sort of regs are you using as your bank of secondaries?  Are they just regs (which I'd imagine you'd  set by adjusting for the right flow visually) or do you have gauges on them too?  I've had a quick look on TradeMe and can't see anything I'd ID as suitable. 

[Hamish Jones]

these are the ones I use, simple as pie and always get a mint pour, turn the dial to change pressure have a look on ebay if you can't get any second hand here

[Tilt]

Sweet set up!  Thats some serious flexibility. 

I've found these which could be used in conjunction with a manifold for the secondary bank - but only a single pressure unfortunately.  Checked out options with Norgren today and they want $85 + GST for something similar.

[Tilt]

Good advice fellas, thanks.  Especially around planning for flexibility and expansion - as is often the way, although I think I know what I'm after right now there's always the chance I'll change my mind haha!

Steve - good link, although I have to say I've got my eye fixed firmly on Perlicks as they seem to offer a lot of advantages despite the price - the difficult part will be making sure the beer being served through them lives up to the quality of the taps.

Quality line and John Guest fittings seem to be the go - any idea where to get these JG fittings in NZ? It seems they're more available through the Oz suppliers than the US ones - but I'd prefer to buy locally if I can on these.

I'll keep my eyes open for secondary regs on trade me - using new kit from the US seems an expensive way to go if they're available locally for next to nix - and I like the idea of setting each keg individually if the funds allow.

Has anyone used ganged Norgren fittings like this bloke?  Looks like a good set up if you don't need gauges but set by trial and error pour strength and carbonation level.

[Tilt]

Will do.  Have also contacted Ultraflow and Lancer/Hoshizaki for options and prices.

[Haish]

ebay (Beer Tap Store) for the taps and shanks. Hoshizaki Lancer in Onehunga for the John Guest fittings and line.

[sockmerchant]

My investigations has led me to believe that ordering taps, shanks and quick disconnects from www.morebeer.com resulted in the best prices, even with shipping costs. 

[Tilt]

Agree with you there - they and brauman59on ebay = Thebeertapstore.com seem to have the best deals on perlick tap set ups and keg diconnects at the moment.

[TBone]

For import... is it $400 in US or NZ dollars to avoid tax?