pressure balance issue

[murren]

need some help on this one..backround info is as follows..account has bevair short draw box with 4 on tap, bud, yuen. lager, coors lt. and ultra..temp.is about 38-40*..co2 is supplied by bulk cylinder located outside running into regulator under bar, where it runs into the back of the box and tee's off to couplers...regulator has been set to about 8lbs..owner says they get nothing but foam if they bump it up.. very slow pour but no complaints on taste..after bumping regulator up to 12, got all faucets running about 1/2 flow, with lots of foam..am i to bump to 14 or more..will this compensate for the slow flow and get some beer coming out right, or do i need to address another issue... thanx to all

[wineglow]

What is the liquid temperature? What is the size and length of the beer lines? How often is the system cleaned? Is cold air being circulated into the tower? A good flow rate is about 2 ounces per second ( you should be able to fill a pint glass in 8 seconds )

If you answer these questions we can help you.

[murren]

temp is 38-40 as stated...not sure of diameter of beer line...i clean the system every week with MM recirculating pump...positive this is a pressure/gas issue, just can't figure out why increasing the pressure at the regulator is giving me the reverse effect, a slower pour at the faucet.

[Scott Zuhse]

Check the secondary regulator's shut off for a back flow valve. If there is one, it can restrict gas flow if defective. Be certain that there is not another secondary between the one for the kegerator and the bulk tank.

Eight PSIG to the keg is too low. The beer will be flat. Although there may not be any complaints, this retailer is probably not selling as much beer as they should. There is no law that states that a customer has to complain. They will either switch to a bottle product or leave and go somewhere to drink a decent draught.

Calibrate your thermometer and attempt to dial in your temperature (38 - 40F???). If you do have 38F @ 1'-1000' elevation, you should be @ 14PSIG with four to six feet of 3/16" vinyl tubing. Longer the line the slower the flow. Shorter, faster.

If this retailer is in a habit of tapping and dispensing from a warm backup keg, this is probably why their pressure was at eight PSIG. The foam was barrelling out of the faucet so fast, their natural inclination was to reduce the pressure. Slow foam vs. fast. Eventually they dispensed so much foam that the natural carbonation in the beer was reduced to next to nothing and the beer began to pour clear. Warm caramelized water with alcohol.

Encourage the retailer to wait until the keg acclimates before dispensing (next day!) or be certain that the backup keg is cold before tapping.