tjpfeister
Well-Known Member
I did a thread search and came up dry. A Google search finds some marginal information. But I want to be certain that I am not reinventing the wheel here.
My current process of carbonating beer involves kegging at room temperature, setting my CO2 canister next to my rocking chair and force carbonating like momma bird until the pressures hit equilibrium. This usually takes 45-60 minutes of rocking. (You know you have hit equilibrium and you are FULLY carbonated because a small amount of beer will usually be found in the gas line. I don't think the "shake 62 times at 30psi" is at all accurate).
But I digress. I don't mind sitting in my rocking chair, but as I find myself brewing more and more often, I don't always have the time to relax and watch TV. So I am imagining an orbital shaker than can support approximately 90 lbs (2 full kegs) and will gently slosh them back and forth while I walk away, free to perform what ever flight of fancy strikes me.
I'm broke at the moment, so things like stainless steel and computer controls are out of the question. I am imagining something made of particle board and likely using a box-fan motor. This motor would have a small pulley and a belt drive would operate a larger pulley. This reduction would give a slower orbit and also allow for the torque needed to overcome 90lbs worth of inertia.
I'm open to thoughts on this. Ideas for salvage motors that can handle lower RPMs without burning up.. and more importantly, what can I build bearings out of that support the weight. Perhaps some old pool balls?
Please pop ideas up and I will update as I build.
Here is some idea food:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5593228.pdf
My current process of carbonating beer involves kegging at room temperature, setting my CO2 canister next to my rocking chair and force carbonating like momma bird until the pressures hit equilibrium. This usually takes 45-60 minutes of rocking. (You know you have hit equilibrium and you are FULLY carbonated because a small amount of beer will usually be found in the gas line. I don't think the "shake 62 times at 30psi" is at all accurate).
But I digress. I don't mind sitting in my rocking chair, but as I find myself brewing more and more often, I don't always have the time to relax and watch TV. So I am imagining an orbital shaker than can support approximately 90 lbs (2 full kegs) and will gently slosh them back and forth while I walk away, free to perform what ever flight of fancy strikes me.
I'm broke at the moment, so things like stainless steel and computer controls are out of the question. I am imagining something made of particle board and likely using a box-fan motor. This motor would have a small pulley and a belt drive would operate a larger pulley. This reduction would give a slower orbit and also allow for the torque needed to overcome 90lbs worth of inertia.
I'm open to thoughts on this. Ideas for salvage motors that can handle lower RPMs without burning up.. and more importantly, what can I build bearings out of that support the weight. Perhaps some old pool balls?
Please pop ideas up and I will update as I build.
Here is some idea food:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5593228.pdf
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