How to clean/replace this style of gas/liquid post? (Poppet does not come out).

[Punkjah007]

I am having line issues so I decided to clean my posts. I have not tried to take these apart before, and upon trying I couldn't figure out how to get the poppet out of the post. It looks like it's not supposed to come out? For now I am going to just clean the crap out of them with a brush, but I am wondering if anyone else has these and how they take them apart, clean, or replace them. Not sure the brand. It's not clearly posted in the item descriptions. Thanks!

Liquid post
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/liquid-post-cornelius-spartan-super-champion-r-kegs

Gas Post
https://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/gas-post-cornelius-spartan-super-champion-r-kegs

 

[Deadalus]

The feet of the poppet sit on the ledge. I find a curved pick helps to grab one foot. Looks like a pirate's hooked hand. Less easy is a thin screwdriver. Needlenose pliers can also work but go real easy so as to not bend the leg. The foot has to clear the ledge to get it out.

 

[Deadalus]

https://www.harborfreight.com/mini-...UUQMg1UL3vrFp2od_ugAoOPWUXY7QUl0aAvFVEALw_wcB

 

[mac_1103]

It looks like it's not supposed to come out?

They come out. Just takes a little prying. If they didn't come out you'd have to replace the whole post if it ever started leaking, and there wouldn't be much point to selling the poppets separately.

 

[Deadalus]

I don't know if @Punkjah007 you linked to the correct posts. The gas one is definitely wrong. The posts you have pictured are these.
https://www.kegconnection.com/used-...-pair-with-new-universal-poppet-valves/?aff=2
The gap above the hex portion is indicative of that type.

Then I don't know if @mac_1103 was simply showing a random poppet or used your link to pick the style but the poppet that he linked to is not the one for your posts in case you break it. The correct original style of poppet for your post is a Challenger but there are two kinds for Challengers shown in the link below for ball lock kegs. Look at the top row first and second poppets from the right.

https://www.kegconnection.com/search.php?search_query=poppet&section=product

I have the type of post you have pictured on a Challenger VI keg. But the keg is currently purged so I don't want to remove the post to pull out the poppet. Your keg probably has writing on the side to indicate the manufacturer and model.

There are also universal poppets.

 

[mac_1103]

Then I don't know if @mac_1103 was simply showing a random poppet or used your link to pick the style but the poppet that he linked to is not the one for your posts in case you break it.

It's the poppet for the posts he linked. And yes, you do have to be very careful about this stuff.

 

[Punkjah007]

I don't know if @Punkjah007 you linked to the correct posts. The gas one is definitely wrong. The posts you have pictured are these.
https://www.kegconnection.com/used-...-pair-with-new-universal-poppet-valves/?aff=2
The gap above the hex portion is indicative of that type.

Then I don't know if @mac_1103 was simply showing a random poppet or used your link to pick the style but the poppet that he linked to is not the one for your posts in case you break it. The correct original style of poppet for your post is a Challenger but there are two kinds for Challengers shown in the link below for ball lock kegs. Look at the top row first and second poppets from the right.

https://www.kegconnection.com/search.php?search_query=poppet&section=product

I have the type of post you have pictured on a Challenger VI keg. But the keg is currently purged so I don't want to remove the post to pull out the poppet. Your keg probably has writing on the side to indicate the manufacturer and model.

There are also universal poppets.

They don't exactly match what you linked either, it would seem, but that is where I bought them. They maybe changed brands/models since then. Glad to hear they do come out before I try to force one out and find out I can't get it back in. How do you identify if a keg is challenger, firestone, etc.?

 

[mac_1103]

How do you identify if a keg is challenger, firestone, etc.?

Brand name and other identifying information should be printed/stamped on the keg. If not, then the post type and thread sizes are all you have to go on.

 

[PCABrewing]

IIRC my AEB kegs have posts like that.

 

[Punkjah007]

I don't see a brand name that is obvious on the one keg I have free. I will check the others as they empty/free up. Let's just use this one as an example. This was pretty hard to read as it was already pretty used when I bought it.

Side:
NSDA-VS-01
W.R. 130 P.S.I. [900kPa]
CAP 5 U.S. GAL. [19 Liter]
CORNELIUS CO.
ANOKA, MINN. U.S.A.
NATIONAL SANITATION FOUNDATION TESTING LABORATORY (with logo)
79405520

PEPSI COLA BTLG CO
COLUMBIA MO

Lid:
U.S. PAT 3,076,576 CANADA 594,789
CATION
RELEASE PRESSURE TO REMOVE LID
MAXIMUM WORKING PRESSURE 130 P.S.I. [900kPa]
-CORCO-
NSDA-VS-01

Is there a good document or post on this web page for keg education? I am wondering if maybe the reason my kegs/lines are having issues in the first place is that they don't have the right posts. The majority of them were purchased used.

 

[day_trippr]

Check the pdf I linked from my post here. It's a capture of a web site that had all kinds of good info on cornelius style kegs.

Cheers!

 

[Punkjah007]

That is an awesome document, thanks! Saving that one for the archive.

Using that document and this model #NSDA-VS-01, and this forum as reference https://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70713
(It has a picture of the original posts for a NSDA-VS-01 keg) it looks like I may be dealing with a Type-A post (I am thinking it's a Spartanburg). I think the links Deadalus posted might be the actual correct posts for this particular keg. I'm going to wait and check out the other kegs first though before buying any thing. Thanks for the help everybody!

 

[mac_1103]

I am wondering if maybe the reason my kegs/lines are having issues in the first place is that they don't have the right posts. The majority of them were purchased used.

I think the links Deadalus posted might be the actual correct posts for this particular keg.

It is certainly possible that someone put the wrong posts on the keg at some point. If you purchased multiple used kegs from the same person, it's also possible that the right posts are on one of the other kegs.

 

[MicroMickey]

The way I used to remove poppets was to use a small flat nose punch to push the poppet out. Just stand the post on a table, put the punch on top of the poppet, and simply push down. You'll feel the spring give way before it feels solid. Push just a little more and it will drop out of position. There are a myriad of poppet configurations for ball lock and pin lock. I've got a jar full of them. I highly recommend that you use the newer "universal" poppets as replacements. I've never had a leaker with the new style because they are completely serviceable when you remove the posts.

 

[IslandLizard]

[...] use a small flat nose punch to push the poppet out.

That's what I use, I think it's a "nail set" tool.
A small screwdriver with a good handle on it will work too.

In some cases you need to push down quite a bit to dislodge the "tripod" foot from the ledge.
If it's the wrong type/size of poppet it may be very difficult to push it out. Place it onto a hard surface that won't be damaged.

The newer type "universal" poppets can be used, to replace the old ones, but may need the spring shortened somewhat, a turn (or even 2), for some posts.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Check the pdf I linked from my post here. It's a capture of a web site that had all kinds of good info on cornelius style kegs.

Cheers!

Is there a forum location these handy links could be posted to? Perhaps with subcategories?

I know it would become a nightmare with useless links after a while. Just a thought . . .

 

[Agent]

It is certainly possible that someone put the wrong posts on the keg at some point. If you purchase multiple used kegs from the same person, it's also possible that the right posts are on one of the other kegs.

I don't know what factory posts look like, but the marking on the pictured post looks like a set I got dirt cheap off ebay. So easily may not be have original posts.

 

[MicroMickey]

The main difference in the posts on corny kegs is the thread size and pitch. I've attached a chart which reveals the difference.

 

[sibelman]

I've attached a chart

um, about that attachment -- seems to have gone missing

 

[MicroMickey]

https://crescentcitybrewtalk.com/corny-keg-posts/

 

[mac_1103]

The main difference in the posts on corny kegs is the thread size and pitch.

It might be the main difference, but it's often just the beginning of the adventure. There are plenty of replacement posts out there that don't work on a lot of older kegs even though the thread size and pitch are correct. They're too deep and bottom out before the dip tube o-rings are compressed enough to seal.

 

[MicroMickey]

There are several different styles/lengths of poppets and that's why I started using the "universal Poppets". They work so well I never went back to the original equipment.
Pin lock and ball lock posts use different dip tube O rings. The pin lock O rings have a smaller sectional diameter.

 

[Deadalus]

I've had universal poppets not work well. They have pushed their orings up through the post hole Trimming them down seems to help. I prefer to put the original style in except they can be pricier and generally don't allow oring/gasket removal on the poppet. If I see any for kegs I have I will buy then on sale when offered.

Many new kegs have simply gone to the "universal" posts and universal poppets. (The extra orings pictured are for the dip tube.)

But these posts won't always fit every used keg as @mac_1103 noted above.

 

[IslandLizard]

Trimming them down seems to help

That's the best way, shortening the pyramidal spring, by cutting 1-2 windings off the bottom, depending on the post's internal height and the manufacture of the springs. Their height and needed compression force seem to vary widely.

I still prefer to use the original poppets, they can last almost forever with a little care. I do wish the "o-rings" in those were replaceable.

 

[Punkjah007]

My kegs are all finally out of the keezer so I am looking to see what I got. Many of the posts currently installed on my kegs look the ones I originally pictured above which I think are AEB posts (as RCABrewing had pointed out).

I do have 1 AEB keg (AEB is written on the side) so that one is probably fine with the current posts.

I also have 2 Cornelius Super Champion (says Cornelius and Super Champion on the side), and 2 kegs that say Cornelius but no other words that help. All 4 Cornelius kegs have NSDA-VS-01 somewhere on the keg. When I google NSDA-VS-01, I seem to get a lot of results on Cornelius Spartanburg kegs, but I still haven't found anything 100% stating that is the case. The good news is I think Super Champion and Spartanburg take the same posts anyways. Following the link below the posts for both look the same and have the same part number.

I found this page at KegOutlet. It lists several keg types and has links to the recommended posts they should use. You don't have to buy here, but maybe it will help some people determine what they need?

https://www.kegoutlet.com/how-can-i...8CO3LoMAFshzyCQz1gEAlchDQYoQNuHFu4cPrGI_iGHkg

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It seems to me that Kegs have 2 main identifiers. The manufacturer name, then the Keg name/model. Look at manufacturer first; AEB, Firestone, Cornelius. This helps narrow the list down. From there, if you are lucky the keg name/model is stamped on the side. If not, you might have to do some "best guessing" like I've had to do.