Air gaps in tap line

[Dstroh1220]

I have a three keg system and am currently having an issue with 1 line. The CO2 keeps coming out of suspension and creating air gaps in the tap line. The other two lines are perfectly fine. Serving pressure is set to 8 psi and all tap line hoses are roughly 8 feet long. Any ideas what could be causing the issue with just one of my lines? Also ideas on fixing it would be appreciated.

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

Check your o ring on the dip tube of the serving side.

 

[day_trippr]

Try pouring a few ounces then re-check that section of tubing. If it's loaded with foam check that small O-ring under the long (Out/Beer) dip tube flange. Otoh, if it's clean and there aren't any gas pockets you can likely rule out a keg problem.

In that case the root cause could be the CO2 pressure on the keg is lower than that needed to maintain the carbonation level, causing the beer to "outgas" CO2 to re-establish equilibrium at that pressure. As well, if the temperature rises significantly the beer can't hold as much CO2 and will outgas to the lower holding capability. You could try dialing up the regulator a psi or two and see if the out-gassing stops...

Cheers!

 

[Dstroh1220]

Try pouring a few ounces then re-check that section of tubing. If it's loaded with foam check that small O-ring under the long (Out/Beer) dip tube flange. Otoh, if it's clean and there aren't any gas pockets you can likely rule out a keg problem.

In that case the root cause could be the CO2 pressure on the keg is lower than that needed to maintain the carbonation level, causing the beer to "outgas" CO2 to re-establish equilibrium at that pressure. As well, if the temperature rises significantly the beer can't hold as much CO2 and will outgas to the lower holding capability. You could try dialing up the regulator a psi or two and see if the out-gassing stops...

Cheers!

The line stays full of beer with out any air pockets for an hour or longer. Then the air pockets start to form. Going from your information my keg must not have enough CO2? Should I force carb the keg more?

 

[day_trippr]

To maintain the carbonation level of a keg of beer one must maintain a combination of beer temperature and CO2 pressure that results in the desired carbonation level. Ie, referring to our favorite carbonation table, there are often many combinations of temperature and pressure that will result in the same carbonation level, you just have to pick one and stick with it...

Cheers!

 

[JohnDBrewer]

Temperature change? Your pulling from the coldest point in your keezer and your lines are in the warmest area on top of the kegs. Try running a fan for a few days see if the does anything.

 

[wsmith1625]

If the volumes of co2 are different in each keg, setting the regulator to 8 psi is not going to work well. The problem keg has co2 escaping out the beer line and needs a higher psi to balance it. Are you using a single regulator for all 3 kegs or do you have a secondary on each co2 line?