Crusader keg newbie -- advice on where and what to buy?

[zoot]

I am hoping to move to a Crusader keg set up. It sounds like I need the following things (please let me know if there's anything I've missed). Can anybody advise on the best makes to go for (on a budget) and the best places to buy (either new or reconditioned):

* Crusader keg
* Keg coupler
* Regulator
* CO2 bottle
* Tap
* Connectors and tubes

I'm in London if it makes a difference. Many thanks in advance

[Secla]

Get all that from themaltmiller.

I like intertaps but there are far cheaper options
20l sankes are usually the. Sat for kegerators as there talk and slim but it really depends on your batch size

[zoot]

Thanks. Was tempted by a corny but think a 30l crusader might be better for size. Plenty of batches of 23l+ so would be too annoyingly to not fit it in one vessel. Can't be bothered to bottle the extra.

[Heron1952]

Kammac if u need 30l currently no 20l available from either rob M alt Miller or Brew UK

[Fil]

Temp control?? without it, or a good understanding of the relationship between temp pressure and the resulting equilibrium of condition they create you can end up pouring nothing but buckets of foam....

[MarkF_2703]

Might be worth a 30 min trip out to Reading http://www.berkshirehomebrew.co.uk/ not sure his site is active still, I have three pressure sankey kegs, he can do CO2 as well, my kegs are in fridges ATM with heaters so I can keep at 11 degrees or whatever I want, or if space is tight you can get an undercounter chiller. Mine is sat on the shelf ATM unused as it made ales too cold for me.

He is literally a mile from Junction 11 of the M4, small shop but he got me up and running.

[zoot]

Thanks Mark. The keg price looks a bit punchy. I think I'll see how i get on with corny kegs first and maybe upgrade to proper kegs later on as the cornys can still be had for half that price.

[MarkF_2703]

Pretty sure that price is for the spear and the keg coupler.

[zoot]

Ah yes you are right. Much better then

[30th_November]

Didn't want to start a new topic but has anyone had problem with a Sankey connector spear getting cross-threaded on a Crusader keg? IF so, any clues/tips to remedy would be much appreciated!

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

is it the spear that got cross threaded or the keg itself ? I would probably try getting a replacement spear, or chance getting it repaired by a mechanic/machinist.

[30th_November]

Thank you for the reply. I didn't make it clear that the spear is still in the keg and so my immediate need is to get the spear out to inspect it.

[mozza]

If it’s cross threaded on tightening then brute force is needed to get it out. They’re really fine threads (and stainless) so not sure how that happened?

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

how do you know it's cross threaded ? a sankey spear has a safety spring that stops it being removed without the right tools (or knowhow).

[30th_November]

Hello, sorry for the delay in replying. It turned out that it was not cross threaded but the rubber seal below the safety spring had become dislodged and stuck in the threads, so just a rubber ring to replace now, any ideas for sourcing this?
I do btw have a proper Sankey spear tool remover and am aware of dangers/risks if choosing to remove the safety mechanism.