Setting up a Home On-Tap Carbonation System -Complete and Unabridged

PSA: Doing any of these steps incorrectly or with the wrong parts could result in a horrible flooding of your house- follow the instructions at your own risk.

This is a super long video going into setting up seltzer on tap in excruciating detail.
0:00:00 Introduction and sources
0:00:36 The carbonator
0:02:24 Never run pump dry
0:02:44 Water filters
0:03:44 Carbonator parts close-up
0:04:31 No copper or brass!
0:05:55 Flare fittings
0:07:38 Don't use Teflon with flare
0:08:11 Notes on CO2 regulators soda vs. beer
*NOTE: at 10:11 I mention the CGA130, I meant to sat CGA320*
0:10:35 CO2 Tanks
0:11:51 Hoses to buy --Don't use PVC!
0:13:28 Hose discussion becomes rant
0:13:51 Hose clamps --Oetiker clamps
0:15:31 Removing an Oetiker clamp
0:16:02 Seltzer taps --how they work
0:18:34 Tower-style chrome valve
0:19:43 Cold plates
0:20:46 Importance of using 2 cold-plate circuits
0:22:39 Need a condensate pump for melt water
0:23:27 Going under the sink
0:23:38 Use 1/4 turn valves
0:23:53 Changing the water filter
0:28:20 Purging the air from the filter
0:30:26 Purging the carbonator. Important!
0:32:22 Turning on the gas and not getting fooled by your gauge.
0:35:18 Filling the carbonator with pure CO2
0:36:28 Plugging in the carbonator
0:38:22 First glass of seltzer
Sources:
https://markpowers-and-company.com/en/
https://foxxequipment.com/
https://www.mcmaster.com/
Parts list from Mark Powers with prices as of May 2020 (ask for Tim). I’d get extras of the cheap fittings. Trust me. Amount of hose will depend on your install. Try to keep the length of hose AFTER your cold plate as short as possible.
QTY Item PN Price
1 McCann Big Mac Carbonator E400397 $538 new $250 refurb
or
1 Little Mac (small version of above) 43-6002 $417
1 8x12 inch 3 circuit cold plate 8x12-3 $112 (special order)
(should come with 5/16 flare to ¼ hose adapters) Or
1 8x12 inch 2 circuit cold plate 8x12-2 $78
1 160 PSI TapRite Regulator 5741-PMHP $58
1 Cage Guard 18-0198 $2.27
2 20 Pound CO2 Tanks CO2-BLKH
1 CO2 Tank Washer CO2-27 $0.09
~30 Arrow Bev-Seal Hose 175-04500-00 $0.26/ft
~15 12.3mm Oetiker Clamps 12.3-706R $0.16
3 ¼ Flare swivel nut 01-0222 $0.50
3 ¼ stem for ¼ flare 01-0221 $0.77
3 White washer for ¼ flare W-20 $0.07
1 3/8 Flare swivel nut 01-0232 $0.79
1 ¼ stem for 3/8 flare 01-0231 $0.58
1 3/8 flare cap 01-0212/01
2 Black 3/8 flare washers NY-45-6 $0.11
1 Becker hand seltzer valve 20-2231-90 $39
Or, from Foxx Equipment
1 Ibis 1-Faucet Tower 12C03-208
Optional:
1 Red Handled Oetiker Pliers 1099-RED $37
1 Tubing Cutter 23680 $16
Or
1 Pocket tubing snip 100-008 $9
You will also need a water filter, condensate pump, and an ice box or ice machine as well as some random parts from your local big box store.