Low flow on tap?

[drksky]

I just hooked up a corny today and I can't figure why it's pouring so slow. Gas is at about 12 psi and I'm using accu-bev tubing that's only about 10ft (which I thought was short) and a Perlick 525SS. I would say it's taking about 30 seconds to pour a pint. Isn't that on the slow side?

 

[day_trippr]

Technically, that's "Dog-Ass Slow"

I pour 16 ounces in 8 seconds. Slower than most bars, for sure, but I get great pours which is all I'm interested in.

Either the Out dip tube has a clog, there's a clog inside the Out post, or the quick disconnect plunger isn't playing nicely with the Out post poppet, and one of them isn't opening much.

btw, 10 feet of Bev Seal Ultra 235 is about half what you need at that pressure. That line doesn't actually come in 3/16" ID, the smallest ID is 1/5". And you'd be surprised just how big a difference that makes. Try plugging in 1/5" instead of 3/16" in the only beer line length calculator worth using and see what it recommends for line length at the pressure you're using.

fwiw, my keezer CO2 pressure is 11psi, beer temp in the kegs tops out at 36.5°F, ends up in the glass at around 42°F with a perfect two finger head. Beer lines are 12' of 3/16" ID Bevlex-200...

Cheers!

 

[drksky]

I have a cream ale pouring from another keg on the same CO2 line that pours in about half the time with the same length line. I had my lines at 20ft, but the pours were painfully slow producing almost no head.

I did notice that getting both the liquid and gas connects on the really slow keg was very difficult. Poppet springs too strong? Hard to believe as this is used corny.

 

[BigRob]

Is it an old Corny keg, or one of these brand new ones that a lot of places are selling? Did you replace poppet with a "universal" poppet recently?

 

[day_trippr]

I have a cream ale pouring from another keg on the same CO2 line that pours in about half the time with the same length line. I had my lines at 20ft, but the pours were painfully slow producing almost no head.

I did notice that getting both the liquid and gas connects on the really slow keg was very difficult. Poppet springs too strong? Hard to believe as this is used corny.

I wonder if the oem poppets were replaced with "universal" units (aka "christmas trees") and they're too tall for that style post.

The plunger spring in a QD only offers so much resistance and it can be overwhelmed. You might try comparing the poppet resistance between your good and bad kegs to see if the difference is dramatic enough that the poppet is barely opening on the bad keg. You can trim the overall length of the universal poppet springs if necessary...

Cheers!

 

[drksky]

I wouldn't know the difference between an oem poppet and a "universal". This particular keg is one of the old ones with the black rubber handle. It was used and fairly well-used at that. By the smell of it, it formerly had Dr. Pepper in it.

Would there be any sanitation issues with replacing the post with one from a different keg that's not currently being used?

 

[day_trippr]

If you look here you'll find a number of oem type poppets along with a couple of styles of "universal" poppets.

You can certainly clean or replace a post and/or diptube, you just need to shut off the gas supply and release the head space pressure before opening the keg. And of course sanitize everything that you're going to install...

Cheers!

 

[drksky]

I can't see how the dip tube is clogged. The keg was just completely disassembled and cleaned and the beer I transferred in was very clear of "extra stuff". I'll try changing out the liquid post and see what happens.

Looking at your link, I think I've got one of the universal poppets. I recognize he cone-shaped spring.

How the heck do you know what type of poppet you need?

Edit: Just looked in the keezer and realized that the keg I'm having problems with is not one of the ones with the black rubber handle. It's one of the newer ones with the single metal loop handle. I wonder if I can clip a loop off the end of the spring to lessen the pressure a bit?

 

[day_trippr]

[...]Edit: Just looked in the keezer and realized that the keg I'm having problems with is not one of the ones with the black rubber handle. It's one of the newer ones with the single metal loop handle. I wonder if I can clip a loop off the end of the spring to lessen the pressure a bit?

Plenty of folks have found that necessary.

Posts are not "universal", they come in a variety of overall lengths.
Which kinda says the concept of a "universal poppet" isn't particularly sound.
If one is designed to work with the longest posts, using it in the shortest may require a mod...

Cheers!.

 

[drksky]

I now know that my black-handled kegs are Firestones, not sure what model. But who the heck makes those all-metal ones with the loop handle.

I've found that their dimensions aren't the same as the "standard" cornies. They're a little shorter and bigger in diameter. Really screws up calculations of how many cornies you can fit in a keezer.

 

[drksky]

I clipped the last coil of both poppet springs. This keg pours in about 10 seconds now. Perfect.

And, putting the disconnects on is much easier as well.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[day_trippr]

Excellent, glad to have been of some help.
Enjoy your beer!

Cheers!

 

[mggray87]

I clipped the last coil of both poppet springs. This keg pours in about 10 seconds now. Perfect.

And, putting the disconnects on is much easier as well.

Thanks for the tips.

Did you cut them both or just the keg one. I think I'm having same issue with mine that I screwed on. Not sure the duotight quick connect is putting enough pressure down on the post might cut a spring to test