On Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:33:49 -0600, <billvelek@alltel.net> wrote:[color=blue]
> regulator (two gauges on it so I assume that it is a dual-pressure system),[/color]

Maybe, but they're probably just high and low pressure gauges. IE, the high
pressure gauge tells you the internal pressure of the tank. That's the most
common type of dual gauge setup on these tanks.

If you really do have two low pressure gauges with seperate outputs, that's
really nice for serving different styles at different carbonation levels.
[color=blue]
> anything with this stuff, I'm looking for suggestions/advice regarding which
> variety of keg is better -- pin-lock or ball-lock? I'm speaking now about
> maintenance problems as well as availability of additional kegs and
> replacement parts. Naturally, if I convert a freezer I'm going to want
> several kegs ... all of the same type.[/color]

I prefer pin-lock kegs, however they are getting much more difficult
to find. By far, the "standard" within the hobby as far as availability
and parts is the ball-lock style.
[color=blue]
> Also, in regard to a freezer
> conversion, I'm also considering the merits of something like a dorm-type
> refrigerator with a jockey-box inside and just storing the kegs warm; any
> comments about that will be appreciated, too.[/color]

I use this method, but not many people do. I've posted quite a bit
about it in the past, you could probably search through groups.google.com
on rec.crafts.brewing for "coldplate" and find lots of info.

Basically, it works well for relatively low consumption rates. If you
try to pour too many beers through it too quickly, the coldplate won't
be able to keep up and the beers will start coming out warm. It works
fine for my personal consumption, and I've had parties with 5 or so people
drinking a couple beers each. However, it would fail miserably for
something like a frat party. Also, the colder you want to serve the
beer the more sensitive it will be to needing "cool down" time between
each pour.


John.