Safely pressure fermenting with Spike Flex+

[johnwpowell]

I’m looking for a recommended setup which incorporates both a 15 psi PRV and a spunding valve for safely doing pressure fermentation with the Spike Flex+. I am considering drilling and tapping the cooling coil top to 1/4 NPT and installing the PRV there and then having the spunding valve on the 1.5” TC on the lid. Also considered the TC blow off cane with a tee at the bottom. There would be a ball valve that you can close towards end of fermentation along with a 90 elbow for the spunding valve similar to SSBREWTECH Unitank configuration. @SpikeBrewing can you provide a safe configuration for pressure fermenting.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

We recommend a purpose built spunding valve that utilizes a 1.5" TC connection. Anything smaller can get clogged. Always remember to never place a valve before your pressure release.

 

[johnwpowell]

We recommend a purpose built spunding valve that utilizes a 1.5" TC connection. Anything smaller can get clogged. Always remember to never place a valve before your pressure release.

I am going to use the Blichmann TC spunding valve on the 1.5” TC port. Where would you recommend locating the PRV? How about a tee on the 1.5” TC port with the PRV on the top and the spunding on the side? Other option I considered is permanently installing on the cooling coil cap. Thanks @SpikeBrewing!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

I am going to use the Blichmann TC spunding valve on the 1.5” TC port. Where would you recommend locating the PRV? How about a tee on the 1.5” TC port with the PRV on the top and the spunding on the side? Other option I considered is permanently installing on the cooling coil cap. Thanks @SpikeBrewing!

Unfortunately we don't recommend that 'spunding valve'. The outlets are too small and could get clogged. If they get clogged very bad things can happen. A lot of people use a tee off the 1.5" TC on the lid. Are you apart of the Spike User Group o Facebook by chance? A lot of helpful people in there!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/291675194673906

 

[johnwpowell]

I’d like to make a feature request. Either put a 1.5” TC port on the 4” cap and chiller coil or drill and tap them so the PRV is permanently installed. Make the PRV a non-optional accessory. Thanks @SpikeBrewing

 

[SpikeBrewing]

I’d like to make a feature request. Either put a 1.5” TC port on the 4” cap and chiller coil or drill and tap them so the PRV is permanently installed. Make the PRV a non-optional accessory. Thanks @SpikeBrewing

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[apache_brew]

I'd go the 1.5" tee route and drill and tap a 1.5" TC end cap instead of the 4" TC cooling coil cap on the minimal possibility that a threaded connection is more difficult to sanitize. Worst case you could ditch the 1.5" TC cap instead of messing up the 4" cooling coil cap.

 

[Boombomb]

I’m curious if you have had any pressure leak problems. Somewhere I have a air leak. I didn’t think I would have to use keg lube? Do you use keg lube in the seals? Maybe not all of them... maybe just the air posts and popits.

 

[Beavis740]

I’m curious if you have had any pressure leak problems. Somewhere I have a air leak. I didn’t think I would have to use keg lube? Do you use keg lube in the seals? Maybe not all of them... maybe just the air posts and popits.

I actually found a leak in the rubber seal ring around the rim of the bowl (where the lid goes on). I used a bit of keg lube and it seemed to help. No mention of keg lube prior to doing this - mabbe SPIKE should put it in their manual or whatever. I tightened the hand cranked lock to fasten the lid to the bowl - very hard - but I think the lube helped the most. lube. heheheheh !

 

[doogie]

I’d like to make a feature request. Either put a 1.5” TC port on the 4” cap and chiller coil or drill and tap them so the PRV is permanently installed. Make the PRV a non-optional accessory. Thanks @SpikeBrewing

I just got a flex+ and mine came with a lid with 3 x 1.5" TC and 1 x 4" TC even though it is 2 x 1.5" TC and 1 x 4" TC in all the documents I can find.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

I just got a flex+ and mine came with a lid with 3 x 1.5" TC and 1 x 4" TC even though it is 2 x 1.5" TC and 1 x 4" TC in all the documents I can find.

Which documents are you referring to? The pictures and User Guide both call out the (3) 1.5" ports on the lid.
https://spikebrewing.com/products/flexplus

 

[doogie]

Which documents are you referring to? The pictures and User Guide both call out the (3) 1.5" ports on the lid.
https://spikebrewing.com/products/flexplus

21221_FLEX__PRODUCT_GUIDE_Spike_BE.pdf that I downloaded from the spike flex+ page where it says "

All hardware shown HERE is included!

 

[Craiginthecorn]

With the three port lids, I decided to get a dedicated 1.5" TC 15 psi PRV with a vacuum breaker, to prevent crushing my fermenter if I forget to pressurize at least a bit with CO2 when cold crashing. The downside to the one I found on Alibaba is that there's no manual pressure release valve, so I still need either a spunding valve or the Spike manifold. Good peace of mind, though

 

[SpikeBrewing]

21221_FLEX__PRODUCT_GUIDE_Spike_BE.pdf that I downloaded from the spike flex+ page where it says "

All hardware shown HERE is included!

If you look on that file you’ll see the top left exploded image has two lines with a (back port) callout which shows the ports.

 

[doogie]

If you look on that file you’ll see the top left exploded image has two lines with a (back port) callout which shows the ports.

I missed that completely. I stand corrected.