regulator hissing question

[cushdan]

I just received my two keg tower kit from KegConnection and hooked up the CO2 tonight to possibly keg my first batch. However, when I turn on the gas I hear a hissing sound from the back of the regulator. If I put my fingers over the boxed in area of the below picture the sound gets muffled so I'm pretty certain that is the source. Also, this is with the CO2 hooked up to nothing and the two lines locked.

Is this normal? Is that some kind of pressure release in the back? If I turn off the gas the gauge which shows the pressure of the tank goes from 40 down to zero after a minute or so and then after that the other gauge with my output pressure drops from whatever it is set to zero.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[giligson]

I am an amateur at kegging but it sounds like there is a leak in the supply side. I say that because usually when the main tank valve is closed there is enough pressure in the system to keep the guage charged up for 5-15 minutes.

 

[balto charlie]

Spray the area w/ starsans or some soapy water mixture. If you see bubbles the you'll know where the leak is located.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Did you put the washer in the connection to the CO2 bottle? I didn't, at first.

High frequency sounds can be hard to locate, you need to check all the connections to make sure.

 

[Dpostman]

For locating small leaks audibly, use a mechanics stethoscope, or if your cheap like me, I took my kids fisher Price doctors set plastic stethoscope, and cut the end off, then taped 2 straws to the end, works like a charm. You can just point the end of the straws at the various parts and pick up exactly where the leak is coming from.

dp

 

[cushdan]

To be honest I'm pretty sure I know where the leak is coming from...I indicated the area in that picture. I'm more looking for any advice on how to stop it if any. It seems like to be a pretty solid part of the regulator and not a connection to another component.

 

[giligson]

Isn't that a safety valve?

 

[kirscp]

I don't know what that is. I have 3 cornelius regulators, that are about 30 years old, so they don't have that feature.

Is it a pressure release valve? Does the center "pin" press in?

You'd be best off calling the place you pruchased it from.

 

[MoRoToRiUm]

Isn't that a safety valve?

I believe what is in the picture is indeed a safety/blow off valve. Have you tried soapy water yet to ensure this is where it's leaking?

 

[cushdan]

I've verified with soapy water that this is in fact where the leak is coming from. It appears to be a safety valve as described by the manufacturer's website:

Taprite-Fassco

I emailed keg connection with this info so I'm waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for the responses, let me know if you have any more ideas.

 

[kappclark]

Call friends at Keg Connection

 

[GNBrews]

Make sure you don't have the pressure adjustment screw adjusted all the way in. That will pressurize the outputs to a point where the 130PSI relief valve (the hissing part) will vent for safety.

What does low pressure (output) gauge read?

 

[cushdan]

its reading 50 psi input and 20 psi output, and I can adjust the output as I'd like. Also, wouldnt the 130 psi limit be the input into the regulator?

I tried calling first, but it was too late I think.

 

[GNBrews]

No, the input should be ~800 at room temperature. The tank itself has a burst diaphragm high pressure relief that blows if the input side pressure is too high.

The 130PSI relief on the regulator is simply a spring-loaded deal that resets once you get back within the operating range. It's designed to protect the pressure gauge and regulator internals if you happen to max-out the output accidentally.

50PSI on the high-pressure gauge is *way* low. Either the tank is basically empty, or the regulator is just hosed.

 

[MoRoToRiUm]

50PSI on the high-pressure gauge is *way* low. Either the tank is basically empty, or the regulator is just hosed.

I'm thinking both?