Leaky taps

[LegacyBanker]

I bought two second-hand forward-sealing taps on (I think) FB Marketplace, and when I installed the first one, it pours beer as soon as you connect to a keg, as if it’s open a little bit, and it won’t fully close. It has a capital P in the front it, in cursive, and he said it was Perlite brand. Has anyone seen this happen before?

 

[Deadalus]

Maybe spell check got you but it is Perlick. I don't own Perlicks but if you post a picture someone should be able to tell you the model. There are maintenance kits and perhaps you just need a seal or simply a cleaning if something was stuck in it (like crud). If they appear to be the exact same model, you could also take them apart SEPARATELY and see if perhaps something is different. Being second-hand, there's the possibility someone mucked around with it and changed something, left something out, or assembled it incorrectly. I may have done something wrong with the lever once to where it didn't close fully but I don't remember exactly what it was...

 

[Nagorg]

Dont know what you paid for the faucets but as @Deadalus mentioned you can buy replacement parts for your Perlick faucets. You can get everything from the individual gaskets to even some of the "hard parts".

https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-600-parts/

https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-525-parts/

 

[LegacyBanker]

Dont know what you paid for the faucets but as @Deadalus mentioned you can buy replacement parts for your Perlick faucets. You can get everything from the individual gaskets to even some of the "hard parts".

https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-600-parts/

https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-525-parts/

Thanks guys!

 

[IslandLizard]

There's a thick black buna rubber o-ring in the front that makes the seal with the ball on the shuttle.
Make sure that o-ring has a little coating of keg lube on it, and is seated correctly. Sometimes flipping it over, back to front, is all it takes to provide a positive seal. Otherwise replace it.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

Using Perlicks takes skill. This is why I got Nukataps.

 

[LegacyBanker]

Using Perlicks takes skill. This is why I got Nukataps.

Can you elaborate on that?

 

[odie]

forgot the spring inside?

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

I had Perlick flow-control faucets.They had to be reassembled carefully in order to make them work. I have Nukataps without flow control now, and you just screw them onto your shanks and start pouring beer. I also have Kegland plastic flow-control disconnects.

Google this, and you get 898 results: "'perlick' taps leak site:www.homebrewtalk.com."

Google this, and you get 628, many of which are about perlick leaks: "'"nukatap' taps leak site:www.homebrewtalk.com."

Can you elaborate on that?

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Can you elaborate on that?

He's just being a funny guy as per the usual. I have 5 Perlick faucets that are various ages and all going strong after all their use. Like Island Lizard said, just gotta make sure the (little ball) is seating properly on the o-ring and that o-ring is in good shape. The parts for these are cheap and available.

 

[day_trippr]

All Perlick had to do was create a one page instruction sheet on how to properly adjust the bonnet on any of the 500-series and 600-series faucets. Once one understands the goal it is trivial to set them up...

Cheers!

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

Like Island Lizard said, just gotta make sure the (bigger ball) is seating properly on the o-ring and that o-ring is in good shape.

Or just screw in Nukataps.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Or just screw in Nukataps.

Yeah, but then you have to pull the handle, fill a glass, push the handle back... sounds like a lot of work for an over-hyped faucet.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

Well, you have to pace yourself.

Return springs will fit, if that helps.

 

[LegacyBanker]

forgot the spring inside?

Bought used, have not opened

 

[IslandLizard]

forgot the spring inside?

There's no spring.

Here's the exploded view/diagram of a Perlick 525:
https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-525-parts/

Others Perlick models are built very similarly.
IIRC, you can add a self-return spring behind the shuttle.

 

[lumpher]

Yeah, but then you have to pull the handle, fill a glass, push the handle back... sounds like a lot of work for an over-hyped faucet

HOLY CRAP, BATMAN!!!!! Pull a handle, fill a glass, then push the handle back??? That should handle the cardio exercise requirement for the week, so at least there is a bright side.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

HOLY CRAP, BATMAN!!!!! Pull a handle, fill a glass, then push the handle back??? That should handle the cardio exercise requirement for the week, so at least there is a bright side.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... Next you're going to tell me that walking a few paces to the kegerator counts as "leg day".

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

No pain, no pain.