Thomas valve (check valve) - necessary?

[garyb]

I was cleaning everything (as prescribed) during the changing of my third keg. Sadly, I dumped out the BLC bucket with my ?thomas valve? ?check valve? in it! I checked the trap in my sink, but it was long gone. I'm thirsty, and the place I ordered the part from said it would take days to get here. I'm putting together my first tower-cooling blower this weekend, and am TERRIBLY saddened at the thought of going out to buy bottled beer (like a chump)!

Q: Do I need the Thomas valve, or is it a "nice to have" until I get the replacement part?

[Misterworst]

If you mean the little ball and retainer clip (or spring) in the coupler, those are not necessary. They're there to prevent back flow from the faucet if you uncouple while there is still beer in the line. I have junked all of mine because of a rubber hose flavour coming from the little white balls.

[TAPMAN]

The Thomas Valve is neccessary. It keeps the beer from back flowing into your regulator.You can still use your tap, just make sure you replace it as soon as you can. Also, make sure you have a washer, ( the same washer that goes in the beer line nut ), in there or you will leak out all your CO2. Tapman

[j124l]

It is necessary but you may not need the additional washer suggested above if your set up looks like this:

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...pid-7485E.html

Part 10 serves as the check valve and washer.