[denny]

Well, I didn't like how everytime I loaded the forum on safari on my iPad it logged me off and prompted me to buy Tapatalk - which I finally did because it was so annoying being prompted and kicked off so there is a major strike against it.

I didn't notice that, but I usually use Mercury (iPad version of Firefox) on my iPad.

[tschmidlin]

Here's a frontal veiw. You can see the rinche line coming from my HWH on bottom right, hot caustic recirc on middle right, and sani recirc on top right. Also you can see where the o2 and co2 come in. on the bottom you can see the levers that control exaust flush, caustic recirc and sani recirc.

Here you can see the bucket with sani behind rig and caustic hot CiP tank connected to pump and how most of the hoses recirc.

Takes about 4 minutes to clean/sani and purge 3 kegs on this system

Fixed it for ya!

Wow.  This is not going to be as easy and straightforward as I'd hoped.

Can you estimate the cost to build that thing?  I'll probably have to limit myself to one keg since all I have is a march pump - do you think that will even be sufficient?  And, 4 minutes, that's not a typo?  If I could do one every 4 minutes I could clean every keg in the place in less than 90 minutes.  I'll probably just purge with CO2 every time, because I have that and no air compressor.  Ugh.

[majorvices]

Tom, it's not as difficult as it looks. Leos has a picture of a similar set up he built that is smaller and easier to figure out. Perhaps he'll post it. Otherwise I can come up with a diagram this weekend and show you how to rig everything up with a single head. SHouldn't cost too much and you could get most parts at Home depot.

[majorvices]

oh yeah, as far as the march pump goes I think you could limp along for now but you need to start looking for a higher GPM pump pretty soon. The co2 will help force the solution into the keg - think pressure washer.

[a10t2]

1.  Can a sump pump handle sitting in caustic?
2.  How much liquid do you think I need to have in the system to run one keg at a time?
3.  Will it actually drain effectively?

1. Kind of. We go through one every 3-4 months or so. Like Keith said, though, I don't think anything you can find at a hardware store will have the head you need for cleaning.
2. I'd say about 1/3 the volume of the keg, plus whatever you need to fill the lines. If you're gravity draining you'll need more because the kegs will get full.
3. Not really. You'll want to use compressed air unless you have a lot of time on your hands. At the brewery I used to work at I cobbled together a keg cleaner and it took FOREVER to drain using gravity.

[BrewingRover]

Cool stuff, Tom. It looks like you're brewing at the Phinney location. I'll be back in Seattle in January and I'll be sure to stop by to try a beer after my pilgrimage to Red Mill.

BTW, you should nudge whoever the web person is. I get a domain expired page for http://bluebirdseattle.com/

[tschmidlin]

Any pump you recommend?

Cool stuff, Tom. It looks like you're brewing at the Phinney location. I'll be back in Seattle in January and I'll be sure to stop by to try a beer after my pilgrimage to Red Mill.

BTW, you should nudge whoever the web person is. I get a domain expired page for http://bluebirdseattle.com/

Yup, on Greenwood right across the street from 74th St Ale house.  Let me know when you'll be around, I'm not always there but I'd be happy to show you the place.  Thanks for the heads up on the website.

[Thirsty_Monk]

Tom,
I will post pictures tonight. Meanwhile you can read this manual.
http://specificmechanical.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/sms911manual.pdf
It will tell
You all ins and outs of keg washing.

Also check this thread.
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=10006.msg123010#msg123010

I do not use compressed air. I use CO2 for all the pressure.
If you can get bulk CO2 tank.
I rent mine for $25 a month. I started with 300 lb tank and now I am on 600lb heated tank. This way you do not have to lug all the cylinders. CO2 per lb is about 1/3 of the cost.

I also think you can used just regular couplers for cleaning. Just take the back flow valves off and it should work. If you have multi head cleaner use the same coupler (mfg and type) otherwise one keg can empty faster then the other wise.

Pump is another question. If all fails McMaster has sanitary Thompson pumps for about $1200. I heard that you can get them just a little cheaper from the Thompson.

Here is the pic:

[tschmidlin]

Thanks Leos - lots of stuff there, it's going to take me a while to go through!

I'm looking forward to the other pics to help me figure this out.

[Thirsty_Monk]

A few more pics:

[gmac]

I'm way late but congratulations. Hope it goes well for you.