How to set up a digital tap list

[smaz]

I use Plaato Kegs to monitor my kegs in my keezer, but with that technology being discontinued, I'm considering ways to set up a digital tap list to accompany my keezer instead. I know there is software such as taplist.io out there, but I'm finding almost no recommendations online about the hardware needed in the keezer to support this. Do I just need flow meters with a wifi connection? Any step-by-step help here would be much appreciated: what hardware do I need (a) within my keezer; and (b) outside of my keezer. Also, (c) what is the most user-friendly digital tap list software that's out there--I mean as plug and play as possible without having to download an operating system myself. Thanks!

 

[Minbari]

Well that is horseshit! I have 4 of those plaato kegs.

There is a company that makes an inline metering system. It's not cheap though

 

[Limey]

Not sure what these Plaato devices are, but it sounds like they have a method of measuring the flow out of the keg so you know how much beer you have? Yes, you can get in-line flow meters but you would have to build your own monitoring system (arduino?) and they "may" be difficult to keep sanitary. Another solution I have been contemplating is to monitor the weight of the keg in the kegerator! You can get cheap load cells on Amazon but, again, you would have to build a system to read the load cells. I was contemplating using a hinged platform for each keg with two load cells monitored (and powered) by an arduino with a two-row display. Calibration would be relatively easy. It would not be overly accurate, but should be able to read down to a pint or two!

 

[Minbari]

Not sure what these Plaato devices are, but it sounds like they have a method of measuring the flow out of the keg so you know how much beer you have? Yes, you can get in-line flow meters but you would have to build your own monitoring system (arduino?) and they "may" be difficult to keep sanitary. Another solution I have been contemplating is to monitor the weight of the keg in the kegerator! You can get cheap load cells on Amazon but, again, you would have to build a system to read the load cells. I was contemplating using a hinged platform for each keg with two load cells monitored (and powered) by an arduino with a two-row display. Calibration would be relatively easy. It would not be overly accurate, but should be able to read down to a pint or two!

Plaato keg are weight based. They do exactly what you are taking about and are pretty accurate.

 

[Limey]

Plaato keg are weight based. They do exactly what you are taking about and are pretty accurate.

I did a little reading up on the cheap load cells and they should be accurate to about 1oz - should be fine for monitoring keg contents! I'll probably get started on it in a few weeks - I'll keep the forum updated on how it progresses!

Here is a link that describes the cells and operation: Inexpensive Load Cells with Arduino

 

[west1m]

Not sure what these Plaato devices are, but it sounds like they have a method of measuring the flow out of the keg so you know how much beer you have? Yes, you can get in-line flow meters but you would have to build your own monitoring system (arduino?) and they "may" be difficult to keep sanitary. Another solution I have been contemplating is to monitor the weight of the keg in the kegerator! You can get cheap load cells on Amazon but, again, you would have to build a system to read the load cells. I was contemplating using a hinged platform for each keg with two load cells monitored (and powered) by an arduino with a two-row display. Calibration would be relatively easy. It would not be overly accurate, but should be able to read down to a pint or two!

I use two bathroom scales with an Arudino.
One for the keg inside of the kegerator and one for the CO2 bottle.