PRV question

[hilljack13]

I use Spikes PRV and for the first time I didn't have any bubbles coming out of the three holes, instead the gas was being released from the top at the pressure button. I emailed Spike and they said it was normal. Didn't sound right as I have had no issues previously.

My question is has anyone else had this happen and how many brews till it did?

It still holds pressure so it is working.

 

[hilljack13]

Got another issue on this. Do the springs in these PRV get "stuck"? I noticed the pressure on my PRV was a bit higher than I was going for. I like ~5 PSI and it was at 9 PSI. So I started to turn the knob to lower the pressure. It took a good bit of unwinding and when it did...boom! almost all pressure out at once. Never had that happen. It did that at about each PSI until I got it to 5.

Usually this is a smooth process seeing the bubbles come out little at a time. Not anymore. I emailed @SpikeBrewing to see what they say.

 

[Whisky River]

Got another issue on this. Do the springs in these PRV get "stuck"? I noticed the pressure on my PRV was a bit higher than I was going for. I like ~5 PSI and it was at 9 PSI. So I started to turn the knob to lower the pressure. It took a good bit of unwinding and when it did...boom! almost all pressure out at once. Never had that happen. It did that at about each PSI until I got it to 5.

Usually this is a smooth process seeing the bubbles come out little at a time. Not anymore. I emailed @SpikeBrewing to see what they say.

Did they ever respond? Is your PRV still acting like that or did you get it to return to normal somehow?

 

[SonomaBrewer]

I’ve never seen bubbles come out the top
either…

Sure sounds like the spring got stuck, with a leak around it. It’s easy to disassemble and take a look, just make sure to remember the exact order and orientation of the different pieces around the plunger and spring.

 

[hilljack13]

Did they ever respond? Is your PRV still acting like that or did you get it to return to normal somehow?

They sent another gasket. Still need to try it out. However last time I brewed, the PRV bubbled normally but got stuck when I turned the knob to lower the pressure and threw a shower out.

 

[Whisky River]

That’s annoying! I have been wanting one of these for ages and just got my hands on one, and now I’m reading all the stories of everyone’s problems with them. Should have done better research, hopefully it’s still a useful piece of gear.
It certainly is substantial!

 

[Willy]

Got one - never had that issue with it. Shouldn't be doing that. Hope u get it fixed to your satisfaction.