Help

[bigweenie]

Got the kezzer done and 1 tap in. Hooked up 1 keg and it worked fine. Was sick for the last month so wasn't using it and just checked and the co2 is empty. Maybe poured 3 beers with it. Any ideas of what went wrong. Thanks guys, BW

 

[Psylocide]

Did you check all your connections and keg seals for leaks? Make a soapy or StarSan solution and spray all connections, if bubbles start blowing up, you have leaks.

Edit: Well, you'll have to get your tank filled first.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Did you check all your connections and keg seals for leaks? Make a soapy or StarSan solution and spray all connections, if bubbles start blowing up, you have leaks.

Edit: Well, you'll have to get your tank filled first.

This ^ you have to really make sure you have tight connections.

 

[MagicMatt]

Yeah I have an idea: you have a leak. Reset all of your CO2 connections. Use a wrench to tighten all nuts. Make sure you have a gasket (o-ring) between your tank and regulator.

Also, for next time: close the CO2 tank when you aren't planning to use it for an extended period.

 

[ntculenuf]

I just went through all my regulators and kegs and pulled them apart to rebuild to assure no leakage. had some issues my last kegging round that were very aggravating. I used teflon tape on all the threads.

 

[Psylocide]

I just went through all my regulators and kegs and pulled them apart to rebuild to assure no leakage. had some issues my last kegging round that were very aggravating. I used teflon tape on all the threads.

Well... it had to go somewhere, didn't it?

Did you test for leaks after rebuilding?

 

[ntculenuf]

Well... it had to go somewhere, didn't it?

Did you test for leaks after rebuilding?

OH yeah, tested twice to make sure also used lube on my gaskets, 3 kegs pouring no leaks. Found the crimp style clamp on my beergas/nitro disconnect was not clamped very well, replaced it with a screw type. I didn't notice the leak last time and lost a whole tank in 2 days.

 

[Psylocide]

OH yeah, tested twice to make sure also used lube on my gaskets, 3 kegs pouring no leaks. Found the crimp style clamp on my beergas/nitro disconnect was not clamped very well, replaced it with a screw type. I didn't notice the leak last time and lost a whole tank in 2 days.

Oh, lol... I thought you were OP.

Carry on. Good to hear you got your leak found/fixed.

 

[Lbm]

Check the corny lid. Spray Starsan on it and see if you get any bubbling. I've had this happen before. As I was kegging I thought, "I should probably put more keg lube on the lid o-ring...nah, it should be ok...." Well, I was wrong and lost a lot of co2 before I noticed it. Had to open the keg lid and lubricate then all was good.

 

[MrHopScotch]

+1 for spraying starsan everywhere to see if it bubbles. Fwiw I had a co2 tank a while back that leaked because the safety valve on the tank was not screwed on tightly and could leak an entire tank in a day without even opening the valve.

Also if you use 1/4" flare fittings, make sure you have nylon washers between the two stainless pieces or they will leak co2. (The brass ones that hardware stores sell are meant to deform enough to seal when tightened, but IIRC the stainless ones for brewing do not).

 

[Lbm]

Also, if you have a Taprite regulator that has the built in o-ring, then don't use a nylon washer on the connection between reg and co2 tank. Otherwise, make sure the nylon washer is in the correct orientation.

 

[bigweenie]

I will get a new tank of co2 and check for leaks. How long will the beer stay good without co2 pressure? Thanks BW

 

[Onkel_Udo]

I will get a new tank of co2 and check for leaks. How long will the beer stay good without co2 pressure? Thanks BW

Depends on style, handling, process, blah, blah, blah...in reality, for virtually ever if constantly refrigerated and many, many months if not.

 

[MagicMatt]

Also if you use 1/4" flare fittings, make sure you have nylon washers between the two stainless pieces or they will leak co2. (The brass ones that hardware stores sell are meant to deform enough to seal when tightened, but IIRC the stainless ones for brewing do not).

I use the 1/4" SS swivel flares exclusively throughout all of my kegging lines and have never used a washer nor had leaks. I'm sure it doesn't hurt, but if you're getting leaks with them that likely means you're not screwed on tight enough.

 

[sudbuddy]

I just went through all my regulators and kegs and pulled them apart to rebuild to assure no leakage. had some issues my last kegging round that were very aggravating. I used teflon tape on all the threads.

Don't put tape on the threads! I refill CO2 tanks every day at my shop and the ones that come in with teflon always nearly kill me. It builds up a ton of pressure between the line and the 2 CO2 tanks, so when I loosen the nut it shoots off at lightning speed. I put a hole through the wall that way once. So please, for the sake of your shop guy, don't tape your threads. Also, if it is a brass on brass connection it is completely unnecessary

 

[sudbuddy]

I use the 1/4" SS swivel flares exclusively throughout all of my kegging lines and have never used a washer nor had leaks. I'm sure it doesn't hurt, but if you're getting leaks with them that likely means you're not screwed on tight enough.

That's because the threaded corny disconnects have a built in washer that is pretty slick. It's the little plastic nub at the end of the threads. If you add a washer on top of that you will probably get a leak

 

[ntculenuf]

Don't put tape on the threads! I refill CO2 tanks every day at my shop and the ones that come in with teflon always nearly kill me. It builds up a ton of pressure between the line and the 2 CO2 tanks, so when I loosen the nut it shoots off at lightning speed. I put a hole through the wall that way once. So please, for the sake of your shop guy, don't tape your threads. Also, if it is a brass on brass connection it is completely unnecessary

No tape on the tanks just the regulator like where the pressure gauge and lines connect to the body of the regulator.

Didn't mean to hi jack this from the OP just that I would add my 2cents on what I went through with mine

 

[MrHopScotch]

That's because the threaded corny disconnects have a built in washer that is pretty slick. It's the little plastic nub at the end of the threads. If you add a washer on top of that you will probably get a leak

I suppose I should have clarified, no I don't use them on the corny flare disconnects because of the little gasket thing built in. I typically do for my other stainless MFL to FFL connections.

 

[Paradigm]

Happens to be a little too frequently. Our commercial tap hookup for our keg system has a slow leak, so if we leave a commercial keg tapped we end up losing all our CO2. Check for slow leaks!