Fixing a corny questions

[thomashp]

So I got this corny keg for free and I am trying to fix ti up for use, but it has a few problems.

First off the air side dip tube is different than all my other kegs. It's skinnier in diameter and there's no o-ring on it. It actually sit down in the fitting instead of on top of the fitting like my other dip tubes do. Because of this the the poppet does not work correctly cause there's nothing for it to push against. Here's a couple of pictures to illustrate.

The top diptube is from one of my working kegs the bottom is a diptube from this weird not working keg. See how it's thinner and there's no o-rings.

This is me pushing ti out a little from inside to show how it sits down in the fitting instead of sitting on top like I'm used to. I've tried just inserting one of my other diptubes int he hole but it does not fit.


My other question is what kind of poppet is this?

It was leaking so when I took it apart there was a small plastic washer that broke apart in my hands that was inbetween the black plastic piece and the spring.

I'm pretty sure it's a Cornelius poppet, but I wanted to be reassured. There's alot of different poppets!

I've never seen a diptube like that before. My only thought about it is maybe I can drill out the fitting so a normal diptube will fit.

Thanks for your help.

 

[remilard]

What is the make and model of the keg? I can't imagine the diptube was designed to work without an o-ring.

 

[thomashp]

The kegs says Firestone Challenger VI on the side. I think someone might have had some weird fitting pressed in to the keg.

 

[malkore]

I agree, every keg dip tube has an o-ring. Rigged or not, this one needs it, and you need to get a replacement poppet.

Its either Williams or Northern Brewer that carries the poppets.

 

[thomashp]

I understand that the dip tubes usually have o-rings. This tube is smaller than the normal dip tubes I'm used to though. Are there different diameter dip tubes? I can't find them mentioned anywhere. If so where can I get an o-ring for mine. Or if this is some weird fitting that isn't supposed to be on there should I just drill out the fitting to accept a normal dip tube?

 

[devilishprune]

The kegs I bought all seem to have come without O-rings. I bought some to put on the things, and when I did they seemed to leak. Seems a little strange to me, but maybe some kegs are designed to work without them?

 

[thomashp]

Well it's definitely not going to work how it is now. The diptube sits down in the keg, not on top like it usually does. this causes the poppet to have nothing to press against. I think I'm just gonna drill the sucker out to fit a normal tube.

 

[bad coffee]

Chi company has poppets, and you can pick which.
http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_3_14&products_id=17

For O-rings, I get mine from McMaster by the 100. About $15 and you're set for life with silicone food-grade rings. Cheaper if you go with viton. Search, there's a bunch of posts saying which number orings to order.

B

 

[d_m_s_00]

They make the plastic gas in diptube again that is designed for that keg. They were very hard to find so someone probably improvised and tried to build one. Austin homebrew has the gas in tube - http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_40_271_560&products_id=12475

 

[thomashp]

So instead of drilling out the fitting I cut an extra dip tube I had laying around really short, like maybe a quarter inch to just fit in the top of the fitting before it got smaller. It's probably not the most ideal setup but it seals now on that side. There's no reason that the gas dip tube actually need to extend into the keg is there?

I have a couple new poppets on order and an o-ring set. This keg should be good as new!