Regulator maintenance

[anzaak]

Hi,
due to letting the uninitiated handle my kegging equipment I ended up with beer inside my regulator. It is M4 from Kegland, but more or less same as any other regulator. Pics attached.
I did some disassembly, cleaned it with water and starsan solution, but now I have moisture in my gauges and , as well as the needles themselves seem "sticky".

questions...
1. Does someone know how to disassemble the pressure gauges for drying and cleaning on this model? There are two screws at the back that seem to hold the protective casing in place . But unscrewing them does not enable the casing to be removed.
2. Does someone have a general maintenance advice for such case, what to lubricate and with what?
3. Any idea on how safe the use of this regulator is now? as it got moist on inside, I am worried about it introducing contaminants while using it for kegging, counterpressure transfers etc?

 

[centralpabrewer]

Maybe just unscrew the gauge from the regulator and put it in a bag of rice for a week. That should draw the moisture out.

 

[anzaak]

Thanks, didn't want to do that quite yet, but you are probably right, it will be necessary to do it

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Not good. Perhaps consider a check valve in the gas line?

 

[anzaak]

yep, already ordered one as this is not something I want happening more than once!

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

At this point I recommend replacing or completely cleaning the gas line.

Also, in regard to the regulator. Know what will happen? The rubber diaphragm inside, since it was wet, will rot and/or stick. Probably a good idea to do a regulator rebuild and a new gauge.

Don't ask how I know...

 

[anzaak]

Did the full line clean and drying, but need to visit a buddy with a vise so that I can take the main housing of the regulator apart, it is screwed in super tight. Hopefully the diaphragm inside won't deteriorate super fast.
Thanks for the advice.
I just hope I don't have to replace the gauges as it will take between long and forever for them to get to NZ unless I find them in stock

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Did the full line clean and drying, but need to visit a buddy with a vise so that I can take the main housing of the regulator apart, it is screwed in super tight. Hopefully the diaphragm inside won't deteriorate super fast.
Thanks for the advice.
I just hope I don't have to replace the gauges as it will take between long and forever for them to get to NZ unless I find them in stock

You are welcome. Learn from my stupidity.

This is another reason why I don't put my CO2 tank, gauges in the keezer (moisture).

Takes a long time for things to arrive from Australia to New Zealand?

 

[anzaak]

that is a nice setup
depends, if they are willing to ship something and then shipping costs get more expensive than thing itself etc. But AU is usually 1-2 weeks

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Thanks. I didn't realize shipping from Australia to New Zealand took that long. Is this normal (pre-pandemic)?

Latest taps

What are you drinking now?

Time for a little break with a Tired Hands, The Tree From Which The Yolk Dripped, Riwaka, Simcoe, Citra DIPA.

www.homebrewtalk.com

 

[anzaak]

Not really sure, I haven't been in NZ that long, but virus apocalypse surely has not helped

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I have a QD on the gas line. This allows me to set the lid on a new keg and test (and resolve) the keg for leaks before adding the keg to my keezer.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Not really sure, I haven't been in NZ that long, but virus apocalypse surely has not helped

I've enjoyed listening to Radio New Zealand over the years on shortwave.