KegLand Series 4 Kegerator Base Fridge with Regulator Instruction Manual
- June 14, 2024
- KegLand
Table of Contents
KegLand Series 4 Kegerator Base Fridge with Regulator
Product Information
The Series 4 Kegerator is a keg dispensing system that allows you to enjoy your favorite beers on tap at home. It comes with various safety precautions and instructions to ensure proper usage and maintenance.
- Warning: Before turning on the fridge, make sure it has been standing upright for 24 hours after being moved. Failure to do so will void the warranty.
- Safety First: CO2 gas can be dangerous, so always use it in a well-ventilated place. Do not exceed 40psi on your keg system. Additionally, flush out chemicals from the beer line before tapping the keg and thoroughly check for gas leaks after setting up the system.
- Video Instructions: Helpful instructional videos are available on the KegLand YouTube Channel. Visit https://www.youtube.com/kegland to access these videos.
- Keg Types: The kegerator can be customized to suit different keg types. There are two main categories: home brewing kegs and commercial kegs.
Home Brewing Kegs
Home brewing kegs are usually used by home brewers or small microbreweries. They come in sizes of 19L or 9.5L and have 2 separate posts for attaching beer and gas lines. There are two types of posts:
- Pin Lock Kegs: These kegs use Pin Lock Disconnects, which are red in color.
- Ball Lock Kegs: These kegs use Ball Lock Disconnects, available in grey and black. Ball lock posts are preferred by most customers due to the larger availability of spare parts and accessories.
Commercial Kegs
Commercial kegs are commonly used by breweries and come in sizes of 50L, 25L, or 30L. There are three main types of keg couplers:
- A-type Keg: This keg coupling, also known as a German Slider, is used by brands like Toohey, Coopers, West End, Little Creatures, XXXX, and Lion Nathan. To use this keg coupler, slide it over the top of the keg and engage the handle.
- D-type Keg: Also known as an American Sankey, this keg coupler is used for beers such as VB and Carlton Draught. To use this coupler, push it against the top of the keg, twist it clockwise firmly, and then depress the handle to tap the keg.
- S-type Keg: This keg coupler is not described in the provided text extract.
Product Usage Instructions
- Ensure that the fridge has been standing upright for 24 hours before plugging it into a mains power socket.
- Always use CO2 in a well-ventilated place and never exceed 40psi on your keg system.
- Before tapping a keg, flush out any chemicals from the beer line completely.
- Thoroughly check for gas leaks after setting up the system.
- For home brewing kegs, use the appropriate Pin Lock or Ball Lock Disconnects based on the keg type.
- For commercial kegs, use the correct keg coupler based on the brand and type of beer. Slide or push the coupler onto the top of the keg and engage the handle to tap the keg.
For further assistance, refer to the instructional videos on the KegLand YouTube Channel or contact www.KegLand.com.au or your nearest KegLand Distributor.
WARNING
IF FRIDGE HAS JUST BEEN MOVED DO NOT TURN ON UNLESS THE FRIDGE HAS BEEN
STANDING UPRIGHT FOR 24hrs. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL VOID WARRANTY. STAND FRIDGE
IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION FOR 24HRS BEFORE PLUGGING INTO MAINS POWER SOCKET
SAFETY FIRST
CO2 gas can be dangerous. Make sure to always use CO2 in a well-ventilated
place.
Never exceed 40psi on your keg system.
Flush out chemicals from your beer line completely before tapping keg.
Always thoroughly check for gas leaks once you have set up your system.
Watch our helpful instructional YouTube Videos
Video instructions now available. The KegLand YouTube Channel
(https://www.youtube.com/kegland) . You can find the link on our website
www.KegLand.com.au If there is any part of these
videos above that you do not understand or you cannot access please call or
email www.KegLand.com.au or your nearest KegLand
Distributor for more assistance.
INSTRUCTION
Kegerators can be used for different keg types and it’s important that you understand what types of kegs are available and the types of fittings that are required for each type. You will need to customize your kegerator to suit the kegs that you want to dispense. The keg types can be split up into two main categories:
-
Commercial Kegs (look similar to the one below). These kegs are usually used by commercial breweries and in Australia are mainly sold as 50L kegs. The commercial kegs use several different coupler types as shown below. The most common are the A-type and D-type couplings. 90% of all 50L commercial kegs in Australia will use one of these two couplings. The next most common coupling is the S-type which is often used for imported beers from Europe or Asia. The device to connect your beer and gas line to the coupling on the keg is called a “Keg Coupler”. Make sure to know what type of keg coupler you need before purchasing the equipment so you can easily be supplied with the correct one.
-
Home Brewing Kegs. (look similar to the ones below). These kegs are usually used by home brewers or very small microbreweries. The sizes are usually 19L or 9.5L.
These kegs have 2 separate posts on them where you attach the beer and gas lines to. The posts are slightly different in shape as described below: -
Pin lock – shown at the top right.
-
Ball lock – Shown at the bottom right.
The pin lock kegs use a “Pin Lock Disconnect” shown in the top right (red colour). The ball lock kegs use “Ball Lock Disconnects” as shown in the bottom right in grey and black. Most customers prefer the ball lock posts because there is a larger availability of spare parts and accessories for these posts.
Using Stepless Clamps
The stainless stepless clamps that come included with the kegerator are the
best clamp to use on the beer line. The stepless clamps grasp the beer line in
a perfect circle meaning to do not pinch the line like worm style clamps. The
stepless clamps come in different size so it is important you have the correct
style of clamp for the beer line and barb fitting that you are using. The
clamps are a single use items.
To use the clamps the best tool for the job is clamp tool (shown below in photo to left). These tools can be purchase separately (Part number KL07054). If you do not have one of these tools the wire cutters (shown below to the right) will do an adequate job.
As shown below. All that is required is a quick single clamp with the tool and the job is done.
Setting up the Plumbing on your Kegerator
- Installation Diagram for Home Brewing Kegs (Ball Lock & Pin Lock)
- Installation Diagram for Commercial Kegs (usually 50L)
Balancing your Keg System with CO2
Balancing your keg system is vital for optimum draft beer performance and is
especially important when using CO2 to dispense the beer. To balance your keg
system correctly we must first understand:
- Carbonation Level
- Keg Storage Temperature
Carbonation Level
Different beers are carbonated at different levels. The carbonation is
measured in “volumes of carbonation”. Most draft beers have a carbonation
level of about 2.6-2.8 volumes of carbonation. (see table 1.1).
Keg Storage Temperature
Keg Storage temperature is best measured using a thermometer. Put a full glass
of water in the fridge with the keg for 2hrs with a thermometer in the glass.
Take a reading with the thermometer. This will give a true reflection of the
keg storage temperature. In order to pour without excessive head keg storage
temperature of most beers should be between 00C up to 2.50C. Some very lightly
carbonated beers such as English Ales can be dispensed as high as 80C.
Once you know what carbonation level is (if you do not know assume 2.6 volumes
of carbonation) and your keg storage temperature use the table below to work
out the correct dispense pressure. For example, if your keg storage
temperature is 1C and the carbonation level is 2.6 volumes then the
equilibrium pressure is 70kPa (10.2PSI). The dispense pressure should be 10%
above the equilibrium pressure. So you should set your regulator dispense
pressure at 77kPa (11.2PSI).
Setting you dispense pressure below the equilibrium pressure will cause the
beer to go flat over time.
Setting the dispense pressure above the equilibrium pressure will cause the
beer to absorb more carbonation over time.
NOTE: Many people make the mistake of using the keg dispense pressure to increase or decrease the flow speed of the beer out of the tap. THIS IS INCORRECT. When using CO2 to dispense, the dispense pressure must be set according to the table below. The method to adjust the speed of flow is to adjust the beer line length and diameter.
Beer line diameter and length adjustment
The beer line on a kegerator is not just a hose to get beer from the keg to
tap. It also performs the important function of applying “flow resistance”.
With too little flow resistance the beer will come out of the tap too fast.
With too much flow resistance the beer will come out of the tap too slow.
Small internal diameter (ID) beer line with apply more flow resistance and
longer beer line will also apply more flow resistance. Most domestic systems
work well with the following line length/diameter:
- 4mm ID Beer Line: 1.5-2 Meters
- 5mm ID Beer Line: 3-4 Meters
- 6mm ID Beer Line: 7-8 Meters
Small ID beer line is often the best choice for kegerators as it means the
customer can use a shorter beer line which makes less mess inside the fridge.
It also minimizes the amount of beer sitting in the beer lines.
Using 4mm ID beer line you will have 12.5ml per meter in the beer line and a
total of approx 22.5ml.
Using 5mm ID beer line you will have 20ml per meter in the beer line and a
total of approx 70ml.
Using 6mm ID beer line you will have 28ml per meter in the beer line and a
total of approx. 210ml.
For the above reasons 4mm ID beer line is often the best choice however the small ID makes it difficult for some customers to fit the ID over the barb fittings on the keg coupler or ball lock disconnects. As of July 2018 the Kegerators are packed with 4mm ID beer line. In order to fit the smaller 4mm ID beer line onto the barbs you can use some needle nose pliers to stretch the inside of the beer line open so you can get it onto the barbs as shown below.
If using 4mm ID the user may need to stretch the beer line open slightly so it can fit onto the barbs of some of the fittings. The perfect tool for this job is a set of needle nose pliers. Heat the beer line in some boiling hot water for 30 seconds to soften then push onto the needle nose pliers to stretch the internal diameter open. Open the handles on the pliers to further stretch the beer line open.
With regards to the gas tubing this is made from clear vinyl which is 5mm ID x 8mm OD tubing.
Table 1.1 – CO2 Conversion Chart
Ideally set regulator dispense pressure 10% higher than the “Equilibrium Pressure”
Attaching and Removing the Tap/s from the Font
Attaching and removing the taps from the font may be necessary if you need to
change the beer line or taps at any time throughout the life of the kegerator.
The kegerators come included with new forward sealing taps.
These forward sealing taps require very little maintenance and are easy to
fit.
Step 1
Remove the cap from the top of the font.
See photo to the Left.
Step 2
Feed the beer line up through the bottomof the font and place through slimline
nut and convex collet before going through the tap hole. See photo to right
Step 3
Attach beer line to the back of the tap then push the threaded shank of the
tap into the tap hole.
Step 4
On the inside of the font place the convex collet onto the tap shank then
tighten the slimline nut to the tap shank to secure to the font.The beer taps
Various tap assemblies are available
NOTE: It is important that the user does not over-tighten the faucet collar on the tap. Over tightening of this part will prevent the free and full movement of the tap handle. Over tightening will restrict the tap handle movement preventing the tap from completely opening properly.
IMPORTANT – CO2 Pressure Check
After setting up the kegerator it is important to do a CO2 pressure check to
make sure your system holds
pressure. Making sure the system holds pressure is extremely important as it
will determine that you have no
pressure leaks. This can be done in a few simple steps.
Step 1:
With all your hoses and the keg connected turn the pressure on the CO2
regulator up to 140kPa (about 20psi) then turn off the valve on the top of the
CO2 gas cylinder.
Step 2:
Wait 2 hrs and check that the pressure on the CO2 regulator has not dropped
since step 1.
If the pressure has dropped over the 2 hr period then go over all the hose
connections with soapy water to ensure you have no CO2 leaks then repeat the
two steps above.
CO2 Consumption Rate
The CO2 cylinder that you use with your kegerator can be used for 2 purposes:
- Carbonating your beer or other drink in the Keg.
- Dispensing your beer or other drink from the Keg.
If you are brewing your own home brew then you will most likely use the CO2
gas cylinder to carbonate your beer. This will consume approximately 6 grams
of CO2 per Liter. If you purchase your beer from a commercial brewery then it
will already be carbonated.
Dispensing your beer will consume approximately 6 grams per liter as well
regardless of whether you brewed it yourself or not.
KegLand sells 2 different CO2 cylinder sizes:
-
6kg Gas Cylinder
For home brew this will carbonate and dispense approximately 200 Litres.
For commercial beer that comes already carbonated this will dispense about 400Litres -
6kg Gas Cylinder
For home brew this will carbonate and dispense approximately 500 Litres.
For commercial beer that comes already carbonated this will dispense about 900Litres
Minimum Clearances Around the Kegerator
The Series 4 Kegerator has radiators in the left and right hand wall of the
kegerator in the outside skin. These radiators need to be well ventilated so
heat can escape from the kegerators. A minimum of 100mm (4inches) clearance
should be given to the kegerator on the left and right hand wall. This allows
the kegerator to breathe and for the heat to escape. If the kegerator is
incorrectly installed it may void the warranty, cause high electrical
consumption and the kegerator may fail prematurely.
For instance it is not a good idea to push the kegerator right up into the
corner of a room against two walls as this will prevent adequate ventilation
of one of the sides of the kegerator limiting its ability to operate
efficiently.
See diagram to the right. This is an incorrect kegerator installation.
Little or no ventilation is given to the kegerator on the left and right hand
wall.
Other Additional KegLand Kegerator Accessories
Keg Parkas
Are you transporting kegs without refrigeration or would you like to take a
keg to a picnic. You should try out the KegLand Neoprene Parkas. Made from
thick neoprene these keep the kegs cool for hours. You can also slip an ice
pack down the side of the keg to keep the keg cold for even longer.
Water Resistant Cover
I f you want to keep your kegeator clean and dry when not in use then
it’s a good idea to purchase a water resistant cover. These are a great
investment and will keep your Kegerator in great condition protecting it from
the elements.
Tap Faucet Plug
During periods where the kegerator is not used the faucets can be pluged up to
prevent contamination or fruit flies getting into the tap. This handy little
device fits all tap sizes and shapes and is made from long lasting silicon
(See right). We also sell a facet brush that can be used to clean out the
taps. (See left)
Beer Line Cleaning Equipment
To keep your kegerator in top condition it is recommended to clean your beer
lines out between kegs. KegLand supply sodium percarbonate beer line cleaner
is perfect for the job. We also sell beer line cleaning caps (See picture to
left) that you can use on an old coke bottle and use this to clean out your
beer lines or if you are using commercial keg couplers then you should try our
15litre wash out kegs (see right). These useful parts will ensure the quality
of your beer is maintained.
www.KegLand.com.au
Last Updated: 1/29/2018 12:42:28 PM