What are MFL ball lock connections

[bigskooter]

Can someone please specify the diff between a MFL ball lock connection and a standard .....?
Are MFL connections better?

 

[Jaybird]

MFL are the threaded connection. They also come in barbed fittings. Better? I like em because you can swap em around if you need too in the brewery without having to cut your hose. You simply unscrew the gas connector and install a liquid if you want. But it has nothing to do with better or worse. Its the same "ball lock" connection its just how you connect the hose to it.

You will have to buy a swivel stem to go with them if you do go the MFL route...

Cheers
Jay

 

[zachattack]

If you want to be able to run commercial kegs occasionally, the MFLs are much faster to switch. Also some tubing (like bev seal ultra) is a major PITA to stretch over the barbs, so the MFLs allow you to swap it around without stretching it again.

 

[TheZymurgist]

I like the MFL fittings because you're not limited to one type of keg. Ball lock kegs are easier to find, but pin lock are cheaper, so if you have a mix, it's easy to switch from one connection to the other on the same tap.

 

[63belair]

If you're not sure what you're looking at, they are deceptively similar. If you have the latest northern brewer catalog they show them side by side, which helps.

Standard connection is just a hose barb. You would squeeze the hose over the barb and then put a hose clamp on it.

Standard Quick Disconnect:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/kegging/soda-kegs-fittings/ball-disc-1-4-barb-liq.html

MFL connection has a thread. You would need barbed swivel nut (1 side hose barb, 1 side female threads) in addition to the quick disconnect. With MFL fittings you squeeze the hose over the barb on the swivel nut and then put a hose clamp on it. Then you screw the swivel nut onto the quick disconnect.

MFL Quick Disconnect:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/kegging/soda-kegs-fittings/ball-disc-1-4-mfl-liq.html
Swivel Nut:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/1-4-barbed-swivel-nut.html

The advantage is you can easily move the lines around without having to screw around with removing hoses from hose barbs.

Hope this helps!

 

[BBBF]

I like the MFL fittings because you're not limited to one type of keg. Ball lock kegs are easier to find, but pin lock are cheaper, so if you have a mix, it's easy to switch from one connection to the other on the same tap.

This. Also I sometimes transfer from 1 keg to another to get it off the sediment. Having 1 short line with two MFL fittings means I don't need several extra connectors, plus a separate ball and pinlock jumper, not to mention pinlock to ball lock.