Keg question

[croc4]

I have seen kegs with the ball lock or pin lock disconnects. Which is the best one to go with? (pro con?)

I would like to in the future add another keg + "a tower - bar type" tap, so I dont want to lock myself into a corner
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[Payson]

The only pro or con that I'm aware of is availability. The ball lock seems to be the most common. I suppose it could vary depending on where you live etc...

[Beerconnoisseur]

Ball lock is for kegs made by Pepsi.
Pin lock is for kegs made by Coca-Cola.

Functionally, they are pretty much equivalent. I would tend to lean slightly towards ball lock disconnects, simply because a few pieces of MoreBeer kegging equipment use ball lock connections (carbonator caps, sanitary water filter, and perhaps a few others).

But you can always remove/replace the connections, which is one of the nice things about kegging to begin with. :)

[tubetek]

I heartily recommend BallLock.
1)It seems that PinLock is Coke only;
BallLock is everyone else in the soda industry. Coke didn't want any other sodas hooked to their fountains.
2) PinLock connectors seem to cost more,
as do the replacement O-Rings for the connectors and dip tubes.
Enjoy

[Payson]

I was under the impression that a ball lock keg was unable to be converted to pin lock and vice versa. Are they in fact interchangeable? Thread size isn't an issue etc...?

[Dave A]

I have also heard that the keg fittings are not "swapable", but you can always change the disconects on the end of the hoses. Shop around and you will find that most places sell pin-lock disconects and ball-lock disconects for the same price (If your place doesn't, keep shopping). Kegs, OTOH, are another story, due to the popularity of ball-locks, there isn't much demand for pin-lock kegs and you can find some great deals.

When I had to decide which set-up to go with, I went ball-lock fearing I'd have trouble finding pin-lock stuff or that the disconnects would cost a dollar more..... The reality is that I am currently getting my disconnects for $5 ea and both styles are the same price. I have 3 (5 gal @ ~$10 ea) kegs but I'd like to get a couple 3 gallon kegs and every time I see a price under $30 it's for pin-lock. I may end up using both styles soon, I can save $10 each on a couple 3 gal kegs and spend $10 on 1 pair of disconects, I'd be $10 ahead by the second keg!

[croc4]

thanks for the info, ball lock it is
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[danno]

it may also depend on your refrigerator space. IIRC, coke kegs are a little narrower and taller, compared to shorter, fatter pepsi kegs. not much of a difference, but if you're short on space, it may be an issue...

i'm a ball lock guy myself, but that's strictly an availability issue...

[Beerconnoisseur]

Originally posted by Payson
I was under the impression that a ball lock keg was unable to be converted to pin lock and vice versa. Are they in fact interchangeable? Thread size isn't an issue etc...?

My bad. I assumed they'd be pretty close. But you can still connect a ball lock connect to vinyl tubing/hose clamp with a pin lock connect, if you need to transfer between kegs, for some reason.

This assumes you have a spare ball lock connected keg handy....