Blowtie sounding and flow stopper keg filler

[Jtvann]

Trying out a new spunding and keg filler today. Not really a keg filler, more of a stopper. I like the idea of it and so far it's working nicely. The diaphragm spunding valve does seem to be more sensitive and easier to dial in than a spring and poppet style.

I'll post another picture or so as the flow stopper chamber works ... or doesn't work.

 

[Jtvann]

Reversed the spunding valve and fill chamber to keep liquid out of the valve

 

[Jtvann]

Well that escalated quickly. I had wanted to video the float stopping the flow. No luck, it filled the chamber before I could grab my phone.

Both the flow of gas and beer stopped on a dime. No sputtering foam or anything.

I'm calling this one a success.

 

[Jtvann]

You can also see how carbonated it is direct from the unitank. This was my biggest reason for getting it, I've been having issues getting a 100% fill before.

 

[hopjuice_71]

Cool, but you may have a problem with beer in your pressure gauge (I have ruined gauges this way on my traditional spunding valves). I think the entire gauge/valve system should probably be after the flow stopper....?

 

[Jtvann]

Cool, but you may have a problem with beer in your pressure gauge (I have ruined gauges this way on my traditional spunding valves). I think the entire gauge/valve system should probably be after the flow stopper....?

I'm about an hour ahead of you on that. See post #2

 

[Robert65]

I'm about an hour ahead of you on that. See post #2

Looks to me like you've still got the gauge in the beer flow, makes me queasy. Gauge needs to be after the flow stopper. The valve I wouldn't worry so much, you can probably rinse that out as it's all plastic AFAIK.

BTW I do love the Blow Tie though. Beats the hide off anything else.

 

[Jtvann]

Misread pressure gauge for spunding valve.

Will have to see next time on the rearrange

 

[Jtvann]

Might need to stabilize it, but that works.

 

[homebrewfinds]

I thought the keg filler was intended to be used alone. Don't have one of those yet. The BlowTie Spunding is awesome!!

https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2019/06/hands-on-review-kegland-blowtie-diaphragm-spunding-valve.html

 

[MickB]

I just started doing a "beautiful mind" or maybe more appropriate for my age, a "Jimmy Neutron", thinking along the same lines of what you did. Thankful for this thread and Jtvann for saving me time and brain power!

I'll probably add a much longer length of hose before I put the blowtie to ensure I don't get any mead in it!

I think this is about $40 less than a back pressured flow stopper, and i have all of the pieces needed!

 

[NewJersey]

I just had these same two pieces arrive on Saturday. What pressure do you set the blowtie at and what pressure is your fermenter at?

 

[MickB]

I just had these same two pieces arrive on Saturday. What pressure do you set the blowtie at and what pressure is your fermenter at?

I had mine set around 13-14psi on the blowtie and 15 on the regulator to the fermenter. It took a while but I was happy to keep the foam down and not lose any carbonation. I'll likely play around with the numbers or adjust them to what others say on here.

 

[Jim R]

I use 2 spunding valves. My main one for pressure fermentation is the Spundit 2.0. This has to be the cadillac of spunding valves. It is completely overbuilt to last a lifetime.

I didn't want to take any chances of getting beer in it though with pressure transfers to my kegs so I made the second one with cheap parts. I have it hooked up to a simple bottle with a little water in it. I make sure the pressure in the fermenter is the same as in the keg (doesn't really matter what that pressure is) and then simply turn the blue valve slowly till I start to get a few bubbles through into the water bottle and the beer flows without any foaming.