Possessed Glycol System

[Brianatkcdraft]

Greetings everyone.............Ok, here's the story.I have a account that has a 10 year old system.It's a Perlick, 5 handle,approx. 60' run, with cooling blocks at the faucets.The owner and I have done a good job with cleaning and P.M.'s over the years. Just this past month, have been having major problems with maintaining proper temp. Have replaced hi-lo limit switch, pump, put new glycol(m.m.'s) in.The resivoir tank shows 32-34 deg.,using a probe type thermometor,but the products at the handles show a solid 46-48 deg.This is for all 5 handles,no varience at all. Consulted the draft tech from our local distributor, he thinks that it's possibly plugged or clogged in glycol lines.Is there a filter for the glycol lines? Like for a fuel filter for a car?Does Glycol gel or develop build up over the years?Personally, I don't think the owner is telling me the whole story,believes that he can fix anything,(ala Tooltime). Any advice would be helpful, for I'm sorta challenged at times when it comes to glycol systems. Thanks for reading my tale of woe. Cya....BrianatKCDraft.

[TAPMAN]

Brian, since the new pump was installed, does it seem to have good strong flow when it returns to the glycol reservoir? If so , then that's not the problem. 29-32 deg. range would be better. Also, what is the keg storage temp. Glycol systems are meant to maintain storage temp to the faucet, not chill the beer. Tapman

[wineglow]

It's allways good to flush out the glycol lines before replacing the glycol. I disconnect the lines from the chiller and flush with hot water entering the return line and directing the flow line into a bucket. In older units if the cover was ever left off the bath you can find dirt, grease and any number of foreign objects. As Tapman said set the glycol temp to 29 degrees and make sure the Liquid temp in the cooler is at 38 degrees.

[Larry Tapper]

You said an older perlick system, you may have to change the themostatic control to get the 28 degree temp. and like wineglow said the system just maintance the temp. On procon pumps there is a built in screen in them. this a super find and they do get plugged, remove an clean it.

[Beer Dr]

Older Perlick Systems use a pink ethylene glycol, Dow Therm. I have found that this does build up a slimy like substance inside the glycol lines, your pump may be blocked. I also agree that the temp of the glycol is to warm to start with. Scott, any issues with changing the ethylene to propylene? I see Perlick is now using a propylene called Dow Frost.

[Brianatkcdraft]

Thanks everyone for the help! After reading your posts, it made me remember a few more things.1.The location of the walkin is in the kitchen area,and the compressor/chiller is on top of it(dust/dirt/heat?).2.Kegs are located right next to walkin door @46-48deg. Been after this owner for YEARSto relocate towards back of cooler.3.I remember seeing generic r-v glycol jugs (pink stuff),behind the mm glycol jugs.Could mixing the two types together affect the cooling efficiency?I took for granted that owner changed the coolant .i put my probe in the hole in top of tank(my mistake for not checkingit.) Any more ideas out there im all monitor! Thanks again-cya,BrianatKCDraftline Service.

[Scott Zuhse]

The RV antifreeze, although food grade, is designed to be static and normally is pre-cut. It does not have the features of a pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol that is designed to be moving all the time.

There should not be an issue with replacing the Dow Therm with a high grade glycol. As stated by Tapman, these power packs are not designed to overcome temperature issues in the keg cooler. Maintain 38 F as best as you can and then dial in the glycol power pack to 29 - 32 F with assurance that the pump is circulating correctly.

[Brianatkcdraft]

Thanks Scott, tried to contact owner last night,but not available. Will contact him tomorrow with some of the ideas you folks have supplied me with.Hopefully something will pan out on this issue. Many thanks to you all! cya...........BrianatKCDrafdt Line Service.