Using pressure regulator for a kegerator?

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My Hobart 140 came with a gas regulator.  It came with a sticker that says not to use 100% CO2 because it may freeze up, just to use it for C25 for welding.My question is this, can it be used as a pressure regulator for a kegerator?  That's basically a beer keg that is in a fridge with a tap.  It is kept pressurized with CO2 from a tank whenever the product is dispensed.  The amount of gas going through the regulator in this application would be much much less than the amount of gas going through it in a welding application.HH187Harris O/AInfrared thermometerHalf a dozen angle grinders
Reply:I don't think so.A kegerator needs a regulator where you can adjust the output pressure.A MIG welder has a fixed output pressure, and an adjustable flow.Freezing up wouldn't be an issue, but I think you'll probably over-pressurize your keg, and anyway, different beers require different pressures (and Gunness even requires its own gas blend, which my LWS happens to carry).
Reply:It depends on the regulator. If it's the floating ball type, no. If the other maybe. Problem is that the gauge on a flow metering reg. will show cfm, not the actual pressure. Guess and check could make it work, I suppose. Attached ImagesIan TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I may be off base here, but aren't the threads on a CO2 bottle different than those on an argon or C25 bottle?
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4dI may be off base here, but aren't the threads on a CO2 bottle different than those on an argon or C25 bottle?
Reply:Yeah, you can use an adaptor, or if you're always using the CO2 bottle, it may be cheaper to just switch the stem on the regulator.Anyway, for beer, just search eBay for "tap rite", or "beer regulator", or "soda regulator".  You'll get something for under $30 soon enough.There are always tons of used Tap Rite and Cornelius regulators out there for sale.  For a kegerator, you don't need something complex like a three gauge dual pressure system you'd want for a soda fountain, but even that could be easily made to work if you can find one for the right price.
Reply:Using this regulator for the keg may cause problems if you decide to use solid wire instead of FC wire with the little Hobart 140. The big quandry will come when you have to decide whether to drink beer or weld. With only one regulator for both activities it comes down to which one you want to do most. But you can't weld some then drink a beer then weld some more. You'll have to get All your welding done, then switch the reg to the keg and soak up the suds. Unless you can plumb it with the right valves and hoses where you can close one valve and open another to weld, then reverse the setting to fill a glass. It seems it might be better to get the right regulator for the kegerator.(a poet and don't know it) Especially if your buddy is waiting while you lay down a few beads and decides to get a refill while your welding and changes things up, then back, it could mean grinding out some crap to redo it the trying again.
Reply:Clearly a kegerator/welding cart combo is required.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallclearly a kegerator/welding cart combo is required.
Reply:Buy a regulator for beer.  If you're home brewing,  u can make up a spunding valve, or buy a pressure gauge that connects to the corny keg outlet/inlet.   Then you have to just figure out what volume from your regulator relates to what pressure in the keg.  U generally want to maintain a head pressure of 8-10 psi depending on the beer style.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallClearly a kegerator/welding cart combo is required.
Reply:I hooked up a pressure gauge to my gas regulator.  Here are the results:5 CFH = 5 psi10 CFH = 15 psi15 CFH = 29 psiSo increasing the volume also increases the pressure.  Here is my solution to the above questions regarding the welding cart/kegerator combo:It's a two product CO2 gas regulator.HH187Harris O/AInfrared thermometerHalf a dozen angle grinders
Reply:You're gonna have two kegs? I'm jealous. If you've got two kegs you won't care about welding any more.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Beer regulators need to be able to stay accurate at low pressures. The other thing I found out, is that the length of the beer hose to the tap is important. Too short, and you will have a foamy pour, even at reduced pressure. I spent a bunch of time screwing around with a regulator, when my problem was too short a hose... I know, I should have known my hose was too short years ago...
Reply:Originally Posted by paulinkansasI hooked up a pressure gauge to my gas regulator.  Here are the results:5 CFH = 5 psi10 CFH = 15 psi15 CFH = 29 psiSo increasing the volume also increases the pressure.  Here is my solution to the above questions regarding the welding cart/kegerator combo:It's a two product CO2 gas regulator.
Reply:Originally Posted by paulinkansasI hooked up a pressure gauge to my gas regulator.  Here are the results:5 CFH = 5 psi10 CFH = 15 psi15 CFH = 29 psiSo increasing the volume also increases the pressure.  Here is my solution to the above questions regarding the welding cart/kegerator combo:It's a two product CO2 gas regulator.
Reply:Need any help? I can drink beer while you weld, then you can weld while I drink beer.