Leaky inline CO2 quick disconnects

[724b]

I've got three pairs of these installed in my kegerator-
http://www.mcmaster.com/#5923k43/=6yhaob
http://www.mcmaster.com/#5923k73/=6yhaxa

They are manufacturerd by Colder Products and they are brand new.

With the co2 tank off, I've noticed a slow drop in pressure. I've sprayed stuff down and tested for obvious leaks, there aren't any.

I didn't really want to soak the qd's down or submerse them so I secured a plastic bag around one with a rubber band. I squeezed the excess air out. Within a few hours the bag started to visually inflate. It's not blowing up like a balloon, but I can tell a small amount of gas is leaking.

Is this normal? Do all qd's leak just a bit? Or should these be absolutely leak free?

Thanks for your help

 

[whale]

Im not exactly sure but is it that you are using it on the gas side?? are you sure they are good with gas? you may just need to change the o ring.

how are you using there?? I just can't see a place for them...

 

[jds]

I can't speak to using the acetal QD's with gas. When I built my kegerator, I used compressed air QD's from Home Depot. They don't leak a bit.

Whale: QD's are useful for when you want to use your gas bottle for something else, like transferring beer or pushing cleaner / sanitizer through kegs.

 

[bja]

I've had those exact same disconnects for over a year now and I've never noticed them leaking.

 

[shortyjacobs]

My Lowes QDs leak slightly if the hose is being bent to the side, thus causing the male QD to be pushed to one side of the female QD.....I just have to make sure I don't torque my hoses.

Also, the "turning the tank off" test is a very bad one. Your pressure will ALWAYS drop, regardless as to whether or not you have a leak, because with the tank valve closed CO2 can leak from the regs back out past the valve post. CO2 tank valves are rear-seating, so you need to open them fully to ensure no leaks. Here's a pic:

 

[724b]

Interesting. That's the first I've heard of this.

The "turn the tank off method" is all over the Micromatic boards. One of the early promotors of this method is a staff member at Micromatic and an instructor at their dispense institute.

When the lower valve on my regulator is turned off, pressure holds indefinitely. So I can tell you that the leak you're describing is not true for my regulator.

This seems like a very objective way to check for leaks.

Maybe some regulators/tank setups will leak in the off position and some don't?

My Lowes QDs leak slightly if the hose is being bent to the side, thus causing the male QD to be pushed to one side of the female QD.....I just have to make sure I don't torque my hoses.

Also, the "turning the tank off" test is a very bad one. Your pressure will ALWAYS drop, regardless as to whether or not you have a leak, because with the tank valve closed CO2 can leak from the regs back out past the valve post. CO2 tank valves are rear-seating, so you need to open them fully to ensure no leaks. Here's a pic: