TURBOTAP HOME USER
GUIDEBOOK
www.micromatic.com
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. TurboTap is a registered trademark of Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................
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READ THIS! ...........................................................................................................................
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PARTS GLOSSARY ...............................................................................................................
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TURBOTAP INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................
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DRAFT TOWER INSTALLATION ........................................................................................... 10
FINAL CHECK LIST ............................................................................................................... 12
BEER TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES ................................................................................... 13
ADJUSTING KEG PRESSURE .............................................................................................. 14
DAILY TURBOTAP CLEANING .............................................................................................. 15
POURING BEER WITH TURBOTAP ...................................................................................... 16
TURBOTAP DO’S & DON’TS ................................................................................................. 18
TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS ..................................................................................... 22
TOWER HOLE TEMPLATE .................................................................................................... 23
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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INTRODUCTION
THANK YOU...
...and congratulations on becoming part of the new revolution in draft beer. This booklet contains some of
the basic, yet essential information you need to pour perfect draft beer at home. We hope your new TurboTap Kit helps you to maximize your draft system.
Please take a few minutes to read over this information. You will find it useful, interesting, and maybe even a
little entertaining. Next time you have friends over for beer, you can impress them with how much you know
about the science behind the beer.
Enjoy!
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READ THIS
IF NOTHING ELSE, AT LEAST...
READ THIS!
1. Keep your beer cold. 38ºF is best. There is little room for error here.
2. Keep your pressure between 12 and 14 psi. Lowering the pressure really doesn’t help in the long run. It just makes your beer go flat.
3. Use the tubing, shank and faucet that we provided.
4. Remember to pour from the bottom-up and open and close the faucet quickly.
5. The most important thing, keep everything clean.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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PARTS GLOSSARY
PARTS GLOSSARY
Tailpiece
Shank (Straight)
Hose Clamp
Hex Nut
Shank (Elbow)
Beer Hose
Washer
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PARTS GLOSSARY
Faucet
Pressure
Regulator
TurboTap
CO2 Tank
Keg Coupler
Draft Tower
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
TURBOTAP INSTALLATION
The TurboTap attaches to 2.
To install, push the TurboTap 3.
Be sure the end of the faucet 4. If working with a locking Tur1.
conventional faucets using
two o-rings. To make installation easier, first wet the
o-rings with water or beer.
up around the spout of the
faucet. It may help to twist
while pushing.
has passed both o-rings. The
Turbotap must be positioned
against the end of the faucet
spout.
boTap, tighten the set screws
to lock the TurboTap in place.
To ensure proper alignment,
tighten each screw an equal
number of turns.
Be careful not to
overtighten, or the
set screw may strip!
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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DRAFT TOWER INSTALLATION
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The first step is to untap, or de-couple
the keg. Open faucet to vent pressure
from beer line
With the keg untapped, unscrew the
hex nut at the end of the existing tubing from the coupler.
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Remove the four screws or bolts from
your existing tower. If the old tower
was attached using wood screws,
save them. The new tower includes
machine screws.
Pull the old tubing out the top of the
keg cooler as you remove the original
tower.
If your keg cooler was equipped with
a standard 3” tower, you can skip this
step.
If your keg cooler was originally
equipped with a 2.5” tower, you will
need to drill new holes in the top of
your cooler.
Use the supplied template (inside
back cover) as a guide to locating the
new holes. Taping the template to the
top of your keg cooler makes this job
much easier.
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DRAFT TOWER INSTALLATION
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Holding the new tower, feed the new
tubing into the keg cooler. There is no
need to disassemble the tower.
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Be sure the gasket is in place. The
gasket prevents spilled beer from
dripping down into your keg cooler.
Secure the new TurboTap tower to
your keg cooler using the machine
screws provided or the wood screws
that you saved from step 2.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
Connect the new tubing to the coupler by tightening the hex nut. Be
sure to use the black rubber beer
washer in all beer hose connections.
Visually check all connections and be
sure that faucet is in the “off” position
before engaging the keg coupler.
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FINAL CHECKLIST
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST
The final “go / no-go” systems check before you pour a TurboTap beer:
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•
Faucet is secured to the shank
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Regulator tight on CO2 tank
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Faucet is in the off-position
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Gas hose fastened to coupler
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Beer hose secured to shank
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Gas shutoff valve in “on” position
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Beer washer in place
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Secure keg coupler in keg valve
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Beer and gas hose secured to coupler
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Keg coupler handle firmly locked down
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Hex nut firmly tightened
•
All connections checked for leaks
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BEER TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES
PERFECT TEMPERATURE, PERFECT BEER
Micro Matic and TurboTap are committed
to providing the best draft beer experience possible. However draft beer can be
tricky and it does require some care and
attention.
Most draft beer problems are the result
of warm beer. Beer must be kept cold
both in the keg and throughout its journey
to the faucet. Most types of beer should
be stored and served at 38°F. While the
TurboTap will pour a beer at any temperature, TurboTap will deliver a perfect pour,
every pour, when using cold beer.
Beer Temperature
Most types of beer should be served cold at
38 F. Most draft system problems are caused
by warm beer. Use a thermometer to check
the temperature of poured beer. For the most
accurate reading, position the end of the
probe in the middle of the glass.
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Cooler Temperature
The temperature inside the beer cooler
should be 36 to 38 F. The air temperature
inside a cooler can fluctuate quickly (for example, when opening the cooler door). For
an accurate reading of the average cooler
temperature, measure the temperature of
the liquid in the cooler. Either use a specialpurpose liquid temperature thermometer, or
simply take the temperature of a bottle of
beer or water stored in the cooler.
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It is quite simple to keep your beer at perfect temperature, and it is worth the effort.
With the temperature just right your TubroTap will pour perfect beer every time.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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ADJUSTING KEG PRESSURE
PROPER GAS PRESSURE FOR PERFECT BEER
Gas pressure to the keg serves two purposes, firstly in propelling the beer from the keg to the TurboTap, and secondly
in allowing the beer to maintian its recommended level of
carbonation when stored for several days or several weeks.
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Close the shutoffvalve that sends
gas from the gas
regulator to the keg
coupler.
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2
Vent all the gas
already in the keg
by pulling the safety
valve on the keg
coupler. Pliers can
make this process
easier.
The proper gas pressure to send to the keg varies depending on a number of factors, including beer type, gas type,
gas blend, desired flow rate and elevation. However for most
direct draw home systems (e.g. keg coolers and kegerators)
setting the keg pressure at 12-14 psi will work well. The following steps will help you do this:
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Use a screwdriver
to adjust the pressure gauge until it
reads 0 psi. It will
take several counterclockwise turns
before the pressure
starts to drop.
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Once the pressure
gauge reads 0 psi,
set the new pressure by slowly turning the set screw
clockwise until the
needle points to the
desired pressure
setting. For most direct draw systems,
set the gauge to
read 12-14 psi.
Open the shutoff valve
to allow gas to fill into
the keg. As the gas
fills, the needle on
the pressure gauge
may drop below the
desired setting; this
is normal. Allow the
system a few minutes
to stabilize.
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KEEPING TURBOTAP CLEAN
DAILY CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
1
Fill a clean glass or pitcher with
warm water.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
2
Completely submerge the TurboTap for five seconds. Repeat
three time.
3
Clean the outside of the TurboTap by thoroughly wiping it
down with a clean, moist cloth.
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STANDARD POURING INSTRUCTIONS
4 EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT POUR
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2
Touch bottom of cup to
the bottom of the
TurboTap. There is no
need to tilt the cup!
Quickly snap handle
completely open. Keep
cup touching the
TurboTap.
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3
4
When beer fills to top of
cup, quickly snap handle
completely closed.
Lower cup from the
TurboTap.
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MODIFIED POURING INSTRUCTIONS
4 STEPS TO A PERFECT POUR
For glasses deeper than TurboTap can touch the bottom.
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Position the TurboTap
as close to the bottom
of the glass as possible
and touch it to the side of
glass.
2
Quickly snap handle
completely open. Keep
glass touching the TurboTap.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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When beer fills the top of
glass quickly snap handle completely closed.
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Lower glass from the
TurboTap.
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DO’S AND DON’TS
TURBOTAP DO’S AND DONT’S
Draft beer can be tricky; the main
problems result from warm beer,
pouring technique and glassware.
These Do’s and Don’ts have
been developed to help you diagnose and correct issues as soon
as they arise.
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Temperature
Technique
DO - Store and serve
your beer at 38o F
(or the brewery recommended temperature).
DO - Begin your
pour by touching
the bottom of the
cup to the bottom
of the TurboTap.
DON’T - Pour warm
beer. Most draft systems problems are
the result of warm
beer. (TurboTap will
pour a better beer
at any temperature,
but 38o F is recommended)
DON’T - Begin
your pour with
the bottom of the
TurboTap hovering
over the cup.
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DO’S AND DON’TS
Technique
DO - Keep at least
the end of the
TurboTap nozzle
submerged
throughout the pour.
DO - For tall cups,
position the
TurboTap as close
to the bottom of
the cup as possible and touch it
to the side of the
cup.
DO - When pouring pitchers, position the TurboTap
as close to the
bottom as possible
and touch it to the
side of the pitcher.
DON’T - Begin your
pour with the bottom of the TurboTap
positioned at the lip
of the cup.
DON’T - Begin
pouring a tall cup
without touching
the end of the
TurboTap to the
side of the cup.
DON’T - Begin
pouring a pitcher
without touching
the end of the TurboTap to the side
of the pitcher
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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DO’S AND DON’TS
TURBOTAP DO’S AND DONT’S
(continued)
Technique
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DO - Open and
close the tap using
the base of the tap
handle.
DO - Open and
close the tap
quickly and
completely.
DON’T - Operate
the TurboTap by
grabbing the top
of the draft handle.
Grabbing the top of
the draft handle will
cause the faucet to
open and close too
slowly for TurboTap
use.
DON’T - Open
and close the tap
slowly or partially.
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DO’S AND DON’TS
Technique
Glassware
DO - Keep at least
the end of the
TurboTap nozzle
submerged
throughout the pour.
DO - Pour your
beer into clean,
chilled or room
temperature
glasses.
DO - Use clear,
clean cups, glasses and pitchers.
DON’T - Expose the
end of the TurboTap
nozzle durring the
pour. Excessive
foaming will
result.
DON’T - Pour your
beer into frozen
glasses. Frozen
glasses will cause
extra foaming and
could alter the
consistency of the
beer.
DON’T - Use waxcoated, styrofoam
or opaque cups.
Wax and
styrofoam
react with beer to
cause extra
foaming.
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
TOP 10 QUESTIONS
1. What is the temperature of the beer in the glass? Is it 380F?
2. What is the temperature of liquid in the cooler? Is it 360 to 380F?
3. Have you given a new keg enough time to chill? It takes approximately 24 hours to achieve a stable and correct temperature.
4. Can you see tiny bubbles in the beer tubing?
5. Is your keg pressure set at 12 to 14 psi?
6. Are there any kinks in the beer line?
7. Are you opening and closing the faucet quickly and completely?
8. Are you pouring beer with the TurboTap at/near the bottom of your glass?
9. Is your beer fresh?
10. Is your system clean?
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TOWER HOLE DRILLING
TOWER HOLE DRILLING TEMPLATE
If you are changing from a 2.5” to a 3”
diameter draft tower, you will need to drill
new mounting holes. Use this template as
a guide. Use a 1/4” drill bit to bore the holes.
DRILL HERE
DRILL HERE
Tape this template to the counter top before
drilling.
NOTE: Use smaller pilot holes if attaching
the tower to a wooden counter using wood
screws.
2.75”
DRILL HERE
DRILL HERE
WARNING: TO AVOID RISK OF SHOCK, UNPLUG KEG COOLER PRIOR TO DRILLING!
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.
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TurboTap is distributed by:
TurboTap is manufactured by:
Laminar Technologies, LLC
US Patent #7040359 with additional US and foreign patents pending
LIT-60-010
© 2005 Laminar Technologies, LLC.