Commercial Quality:
Soda-Dispensers sells commercial quality, made to last equipment, same as the restaurants, bars, and fast foods service’s use. All units are new and fully tested by the manufactures, prior to shipping, to ensure proper operation upon delivery.

Basic guide for installation of a soda fountain dispenser

First, there are a few things to consider

· Type of System: Post-Mix (BIB or Bag-In-Box) or Pre-Mix (Pre-mixed canisters)

(Usually determine this by the type of syrup available in your area.)

Post-Mix dispensers: with syrup pump, carbonator and a Co2 tank.

(Used in restaurants, bars, hotels, fast food, convenience stores)

You have a carbonator that takes average cold tap water and combines it with Co2 gas to produce soda water. Then you have syrup pumps, which operate under the power of Co2 gas. Lastly, you have the dispensing unit, which has a cold-plate in the bottom of it's ice bin, then two electronic valves that control the amount of syrup with soda water that gets dispensed when activated (some have push-buttons on the front, others have metal tabs in the back that you press your cup against.)

Pre-Mix dispensers: with pre-mixed syrup, carbonator and Co2 tank.

(Usually used at fair grounds, carnivals, smaller stores)

The soda comes pre-mixed and ready to drink inside metal canisters. The soda exits via a dip-tube, because CO2 gas pushes down on the top of the soda. It usually passes through a cold-plate in the ice bin, and out of simple dispensers. The benefit is that only Co2 is required to make the thing work (and ice). But the soda doesn't taste as good, and you have to buy the stuff from the drink companies and they aren't very helpful about delivering to home users. Most likely you won't be able to find a stable supply of pre-mix for a home dispenser unless you make the soda yourself.

Post-Mix Systems are the most common and we will consider this the best choice.

***We will use the Post-Mix System as our standard guideline continues.

· Style of System: Post-Mix with ice bin or Post-Mix Refrigerated

Post-mix with ice bin:

A cold plate with a separate ice bin is used, in which you must fill the ice bin with ice every few days. This is usually very inconvenient for the average home owner. You can buy some larger soda dispensers with the ice bin on top of the dispenser. In which you would dump ice into the bin or use an ice machine, sits on top of the dispenser, and fills the dispenser, but the ice machine cost about $2000 new. Ice bins should be insulated; so you can get away with adding ice only every few days, or possibly even every week if the insulation is really good and you load the bin down with lots of ice.

Post-mix, refrigerated:

This is the same type of system as stated above, except there is no ice-bin.

 Instead, pour about 10 gallons of water into the unit. A small pump keeps the water circulating between the soda tubes and the refrigeration tubes, which operate much like a small office refrigerator, with a compressor and everything. Some of the water will form a solid block of ice, known as the "ice reservoir". The benefit is that you don't have to keep pouring ice into the unit to make it work. The drawback is that you have yet another system to worry about, one that uses freon. But no ice is required. Post-mix systems with a refrigeration unit are much more expensive, impossible to service yourself, weigh a lot more, cost more to run, and are generally a pain. But if you can invest the effort, they are a lot easier to use on a daily basis, since they need no ice. **The vast majority of home users, the Post-mix system with separate ice bin method are the most common.

· Option: · Style of System: Post-Mix with ice bin

Most home owners take the cold plate and take a separate refrigerator or freezer (with temperature control device, sold separately) and set their cold plate inside and mount their dispenser unit on top or mount the dispensers on top of a counter. Make sure to insulate the lines properly to keep from freezing. Keeping the lines cold are very important in maintaining proper carbonation.

**Notice**

Maintaining your soda temperature is the most important and troublesome parts of any soda dispenser. If soda is dispensed at improper temperatures, you will lose your carbonation and your soda will taste flat. Soda should be dispensed at no more than 40 degrees.

 · Style of Dispenser: Counter Top Beverage Tower Dispensers or Beverage Dispenser Guns

  Counter Top Dispensers:

Counter Top Dispensers are nice to mount to a separate refrigerator or freezer. Freezers will require a separate temperature control (Sold separately). Mounting to a counter top can be a little more challenging, as to keeping the supply lines at proper cooling temperatures. This is very important as to the carbonation of your drinks.

Beverage Dispenser Guns:

Beverage Dispenser Guns are basically connected the same way as counter top units except the connections are made underneath the counter top. Drawback is without an insulated re-circulating pack, product lines can warm up and you may loose carbonation.

***There are complete units available with power packs, that would have an insulated duct line to the bar gun, which re-circulates the water through the duct line to keep the product cold. The duct line units can also cost a great deal more money.

Facts on:

 Syrup:

Most syrup is mixed 5 to 1 (this means 5 parts Soda Water to 1 part Syrup) so a gallon of syrup makes 6 gallons of finished product. You can buy 5 gallons of syrup from $50 to $85. This will make 30 gallons of finished product.

Water Filtration:

One of the key ingredients of fountain soda is the water. Adding a water filtration is highly recommended for better tasting soda. Also filtration will also cause less damage to your equipment and a longer lasting life to your system.

Co2 Tanks:

You usually can get your Co2 tanks filled at a local welding shop, fire protection service or gas company. Some companies will not fill your tank and only make exchanges. If you have access to purchase a used tank from one of these companies, you could save some money.

Carbonators:

Carbonators are the heart of your soda system. This device has a tank where the Co2 gas and water are mixed. It also has a booster pump attached to it. This pump pressurizes the water up above the pressure of the Co2 gas, causing the two to mix together to form soda water. The carbonator can run as often and as long as we need it, so we don't have to keep tons of extra water on hand, and it can pressurize the incoming water so we don't push Co2 gas back into the water supply.  

Carbonation Notice: Carbonator sizes vary depending on the number of products and the distance to the fountain dispenser. Carbonators can be very loud and are often set up in a different room. It is best to hide your syrup boxes and carbonators in another area, separate from the dispenser.

Water Pressure:

The amount of water pressure to your system is also important. Your water pressure should be about 55 psi. In which case some will have to increase and others may have to decrease the pressure by a regulator or booster. You can purchase a small regulator gauge and fitting to test your pressure. There is also a 3-way pressure regulator available that you can install before your water filter, which would provide your water line connections and pressure gauge together. Others may need to install a water pressure booster to increase your pressure.

      Connection Fittings: ***Important***

Always use stainless steel fittings including all nipples, splicers, tees and tailpieces. Please take the appropriate precautions, such as using stainless steel fittings and installing a secondary back-flow preventer.

Warning:

Soda water in contact with Copper or alloys containing copper (such as Brass) will react producing toxic compounds. If those compounds are ingested, you could become violently ill and/or die. Please take the appropriate precautions, such as using stainless steel fittings and installing a secondary flow-back preventer.

The compounds produced when carbonic acid and copper react are toxic, and will induce vomiting, nausea, and a whole host of unpleasantness you don't even want to know about. Seek medical attention immediately if you ingested any such thing. Remember that when CO2 enters water, it becomes carbonic acid. Use stainless steel fittings to be 100% sure. Also remember that brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and reaction will still take place.

CO2 compressed gas can cause frostbite when exiting the tank. The tanks are heavy, and if they tip and fall, could break the valve off causing the tank to rocket through walls killing or injuring yourself or others. Please secure the tank in accordance with proper safety regulations.

A large CO2 leak could cause you to suffocate; check for leaks and proper ventilation. If you are in a small apartment or other enclosed space, it is recommended that you vent the used CO2 gas from the syrup pumps outside. Be sure to keep an eye on the CO2 main gauge, as a significant movement of it may indicate a large leak.

You must comply with all local and federal health and safety regulations, and it is your responsibility to know what those regulations are.

  Soda Installation Guidelines is under editing. If you notice any errors or have any suggestions that may be helpful in basic set procedures. Please Contact Us. Thank You!

Legal Disclaimer: Soda-Dispensers cannot promise that this information is correct or useable in any form. If you have any serious questions concerning your system or safety issues, please consult a proper soda fountain technician or the manufacturer.

  © Copyright Soda-Dispensers 2001. All rights reserved.

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Anatomy of a Kegerator- Video: There has never been an anatomy class like this. You'll enjoy the final exam - pour a perfect glass of draft beer. Take a tour of the components and equipment settings of a draft beer dispenser. Our animated presentation will leave you thirsty. Click here to play video

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A clean draft beer system is the key to maintaining draft beer's freshness. Thorough cleaning is simple yet effective. This animated video-lab illustrates the "3 Step Process" utilizing an electric line cleaner on a six keg system. Click Here to Play Video

Special Thanks to Micro Matic Inc. for links to their videos.