In-Line flow control foaming and very low carb

[FlyingDutchman]

I purchased a CM Becker in line flow control unit so I would not need 500 feet (or so) of line on my 30 psi soda keg. It can be a real pain trying to manage all that hose inside my small 7 cu. ft keezer.

When I got it, I stuck it in the middle of a 4 foot line and fiddled with the adjustment screw until I got a 10 second pint. It worked great for a day, but then it started sputtering and pouring rather flat glasses. There seems to be quite a bit of turbulence in the flow control unit and I am wondering if this could be the cause of my losing carbonation.

Is there something I am doing wrong with this? Should it be closer to one end of the line or something like that? Cone direction?


Does anyone have any experience with these?


Thanks,

 

[day_trippr]

I would put something like that as close to the keg post as possible.
I have flow meters on my keezer and they're all within a foot of the kegs and have no issues.

As to why that gadget is suddenly foaming: is it possible there were hop fragments in the beer that are collecting at the flow control?
Don't know anything about those things so the cone direction is by me...

Cheers!

 

[Thorsbrew]

Is this any better than a flow control faucet such as the Perlick 650SS? Because the 650ss is basically the same price and its actually a faucet, not just flow control.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

I will try one closer to the keg and see if that helps. What kind of flow meters do you have? I have thought about building a few for my setup - so I don't lie awake all night hoping my keg doesn't unexpectedly go dry (Cenosillicaphobia is real!!!) - but if there are some that are "reasonably priced" (all things being relative), I may have to look into them.

As for why in-line rather than the 650ss,
I think the only advantage is the in-line ones are more portable. I use one with my smaller 1.5 and 2.5 gallon kegs and one on my soda keg. Both are regularly on the move and almost always on a picnic faucet.

That and I picked them up on sale. I'll probably go with the Perlick 650ss if I replace my current faucets.