OT - Empty Keg Indicator

[leitmotif]

I might have to get one of those lever-pull counters. I think the dog's been stealing beer, but I can't ever catch her at it.

And I'll bet you told the grade school teacher your dog ate the homework.

Dan Bentler

 

[WireGuy1950]

What about a bathroom scale?

 

[Big John T]

As you might notice it takes less time to fill a glass and you get more foam when nearing the end. I just reach in my 8 tap kegerator and tip the keg. I can tell by the weight when she is about to give it up...

Or you could get a flow meter and measure how much you drink...

John

 

[Terry Woods]

Did someone say... "Beer"???

Damn, I can't help but respond to this one...

Back in the day... aaahhh, those foot-loose and fancy-free days... I used to have a pony-keg sitting in an old refrigerator. The tap was mounted in the door. The beer-keg and the gas bottle were contained in the fridge.

I did indeed place the keg on top a bathroom scale.

You gotta know... this was in the days before PLCs and various displays were available for a reasonable price.

Q: What's a reasonable price?
A: Anything that doesn't cut into Beer-Money!

The scale idea worked pretty good. That is, if, before beginning the day's watering, one were to open the door and check the scale - reading upside-down, of course - then you had a general idea as to whether or not you were close to empty.

Of course, the problem was in the amount of unexpected participation...

If a few extra folks showed up then... the beer level went down faster, and the faster it went down... the less inclined anyone was to open the door and read the scale!

As the usual routine went, and I dare say still goes... you might get up thinking that you would open the door and check the scale... but then, as you approached the door, you would forget your original intent because you see that HUGE tap on the door just begging to be pulled!

All in all, it worked very well on the starting end of the... vital routine. However, it quickly became more and more ineffective, especially if a few friends showed up. And I have to say, the latter case occurred more often than I expected.

These days, I would go with one of those shut-off valves that react to high-volume flow.

But then again, that still depends on the answer to... "What is a reasonable price?".

 

[RichardB]

Guys,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to re-visit the bathroom scale idea. Maybe just rip one apart and see if I can make it work.

As for the "Reasonable Price" questiosn: Nothing cuts into Beer-Money! The phone bill may have to wait until next month though.