What’s the difference between Primary and Secondary CO2 Regulators?
Pictured: VEVOR CO2 Regulator Gauge with 0-60PSI, Heavy Duty CO2 Gauge Gas System, Draft Beer Regulator with Check Valve, Adjustable Pressure Regulator for Draft Beer Homebrew (Triple Gauge Regulator) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
July 4, 2024
In the context of homebrewing or serving beer, a CO2 regulator hooks up to a compatible CO2 tank and steps down the pressure to carbonate and serve the beer properly. See: Balancing Your Kegerator Draft System and Diagnosing and Fixing Kegerator Foam Problems
Single Body vs Multi Body Regulators
A typical CO2 regulator provides a single output pressure. It usually has two gauges, one for the high pressure side and one for the low pressure side, although it can have a single gauge. A multi-body regulator, provides multiple output pressures and typically has one high side gauge and one gauge for each serving pressure.
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The Benefits of Multiple Pressures
Maintaining multiple CO2 pressures in your kegerator gives you the ability to… keep kegs at different pressures. This is a requirement to maintain different carbonation levels. It’s also handy if you want to force carbonate a keg more quickly, at a higher pressure, while maintaining your standard serving pressure on a keg that’s already being served or if you want to have a utility line for purging kegs and such.
What’s the difference between a Primary and Secondary CO2 Regulator?
#1 Connection
A primary regulator is designed to connect directly to a high pressure CO2 tank. Typically via a CGA-320 fitting.
A secondary regulator is designed to connect to a primary regulator, either directly or via a manifold. Typically this is done through a barb style connection.
# 2 Pressure Rating
A primary regulator is designed to handle hundreds or thousands of PSI since it’s directly connected to a high pressure tank.
A secondary regulator is designed to handle far lower pressures. Typically 60 PSI or less.
#3 Install Cleanliness
A multi body primary regulator typically results in a cleaner install. Fewer tees, manifolds and lines to accomplish the same purpose.
#4 Regulator Response Time
This isn’t something I’ve ever read anywhere else, but based on my own experience… it’s a fact. When you’re pressurizing kegs and such using a primary regulator, the primary regulator is drawing from 100s of PSI. That means things generally happen quickly. When you’re doing the same tasks with a secondary regulator, the secondary regulator is drawing from a much lower PSI source. That means tasks take longer. It’s not a gigantic deal, but this is a clear advantage of a multi-body primary vs a primary + secondary.
Kegland Inline Secondary
An economical and flexible option for secondary regulators is Kegland’s inline secondary. That is party of Kegland’s excellent DuoTight system
- Kegland DuoTight Compatible Inline Secondary CO2 Regulator with Gauge
- via MoreBeer
- via William’s Brewing
- via Great Fermentations
- via Keg Connection
- via Amazon
- Duotight In-Line Regulator D1046 – DuoTight Compatible, No Gauge
- Inline Secondary CO2 Regulator – This is the original version, what I’d call v1. It has no gauge and is not DuoTight compatible
- In-Line Secondary CO2 Regulator D1045 – via MoreBeer
- In-Line Secondary CO2 Regulator – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
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greatdealsMake sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd top:primsec tag:tpr