Quality poppets

[Raider7296]

About 2 years ago, I ordered a set of universal poppets on Amazon for my kegs. They are the generic open spring type. They've mostly worked ok, other than being a bit too stiff. However, in the past few weeks I've had 2 of them utterly fail on me. In both cases, I pulled off the ball lock QD, and the o-ring mushed its way out of the post, losing all pressure. See pic.

Looking online, almost all of the universal poppets look exactly the same as the ones I have now (Morebeer has some fancier looking ones for $7 each). Is there any difference in quality between what the homebrew stores are selling and the imports from Amazon? Are the fancy ones with the little feet worth getting? Or should I just stock up on o-rings and plan on replacing them once a year?

 

[day_trippr]

That picture sums up exactly why I don't use universal poppets on my kegs. I use them in other places like my beer line cleaning manifold, the keg in my keezer holding water for the glass rinser, and other similar, none-beer-holding applications, but that's it.

Anyway, chicompany.net carries the two most commonly used oem poppet types...

Cheers!

https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/general-beverage-short-p-17.html
https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/poppet-cornelius-general-beverage-p-15.html

 

[camonick]

That picture sums up exactly why I don't use universal poppets on my kegs. I use them in other places like my beer line cleaning manifold, the keg in my keezer holding water for the glass rinser, and other similar, none-beer-holding applications, but that's it.

Anyway, chicompany.net carries the two most commonly used oem poppet types...

Cheers!

https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/general-beverage-short-p-17.html
https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/poppet-cornelius-general-beverage-p-15.html

I agree. OEM styles are best.

 

[pvtpublic]

That picture sums up exactly why I don't use universal poppets on my kegs. I use them in other places like my beer line cleaning manifold, the keg in my keezer holding water for the glass rinser, and other similar, none-beer-holding applications, but that's it.

Anyway, chicompany.net carries the two most commonly used oem poppet types...

Cheers!

https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/general-beverage-short-p-17.html
https://www.chicompany.net/poppet-valves-c-376_1_492/poppet-cornelius-general-beverage-p-15.html

The websites don't seem to want to load on my phone.

 

[day_trippr]

Yeah, it's loading weird on my tablet, too. Sorry 'bout that.
Just go to chicompany.net and use the search tool in the upper right corner to look for poppets...

Cheers!

 

[Raider7296]

Ahh... thanks! I thought there had to be something better out there. They have the best price I can find, even with the shipping charges. My order is in!

 

[IslandLizard]

About 2 years ago, I ordered a set of universal poppets on Amazon for my kegs. They are the generic open spring type. They've mostly worked ok, other than being a bit too stiff.

To reduce stiffness (when compressing) and extraneous pressure on the o-ring, it's generally recommended to clip one to one-and-a-half turn off the bottom of the pyramidal spring. If you have a Dremel type tool you can also cut it off with an abrasive disc. You'll need to clamp it securely into something though.

But yeah, I would go for the OEM replacements at those prices. Make sure you'll order the right ones.

 

[day_trippr]

I have to apologize as chicompany.net actually carries five poppet types - which I believe covers the gamut of ball and pin lock kegs ever fabricated. I had searched the site using "poppets" which only showed two styles, but searching with the singular "poppet" revealed all five types carried.

So, go here: Poppet Valves : The Chi-Company, a home brewing company since 1996, New and used beverage equipment for Homebrewing, Home winemaking, Soda systems and used Pepsi vending equipment

And you should find all of these:

Cheers!

 

[WinterWarlock]

Has anyone been able to place an order from chicompany.net? I tried to get some poppets from them but it turns out they require a business account and you have to provide a company name, etc. Very disappointing. I need those poppets. My Challenger VI is on the fritz!!

 

[day_trippr]

Sounds like you went in the wrong door? Or maybe they had something going on with the site?
I've had an account with Matt forever and doubt he's suddenly gone wholesale - definitely not his business model.

fwiw, I just logged in to my account there, put a pair of poppets in, and would just have to click the payment method (I use PayPal) to complete the transaction.
Try again!

Cheers!

 

[WinterWarlock]

Ok, I figured it out! Just got a little confused by the account creation page. Thanks day_trippr! No need for a company name, i just put N/A in that field and had no problems creating an account. Very stoked on this supplier, quite the selection of poppets.

 

[Razorback_Jack]

This thread was just what I needed! My poppet seals have been failing on one keg. Luckily it’s the keg I use for carbonated water, and not beer. Otherwise, the mess would be a lot stickier. Going to this site now for poppets. Thank you!

 

[Razorback_Jack]

I’m not sure, though, which of these would work best for just an older pin lock keg?

 

[day_trippr]

There should be some kind of labeling etched into your keg that might help with this question if you can't match your posts visually with the images on the site. Also, are there nylon inserts inside your keg posts?

Cheers!