Beer Forum

Capt_Hardcore · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2006, 03:53 PM

Hello Im looking for some help to fix our kegerator problem. Whenever I pour the beer comes out all foam and seems really fast coming out. I just replaced the co2 regulator, beer lines, tried 2 differnt couplers, cleaned everything 2 times now. The liquid temp is around 36-38. The only other thing I can think is wrong is maybe the faucet? I followed the MicroMatic "How to build a kegerator" when I built this so im not sure whats wrong.

USMC - Retired · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2006, 03:57 PM

What is your presure set at and how long is the beer line from the keg to the faucet?

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

Capt_Hardcore · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2006, 04:06 PM

set at 10psi right now. THe line to the faucet is 5 ft. I bought it right from micromatic

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-...d-547C60A.html

USMC - Retired · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2006, 04:11 PM

hmmmm.... Scott?????

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

Capt_Hardcore · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2006, 08:35 PM

After evaulating more. There is no foam or bubbles in the line. It seems to foam up at the faucet. Going to take it apart and clean and inspect more. I also noticed that when I pour the beer into a pitcher and let it sit and wait for the foam to go away, i then pour it into a glass its got a sharp wierd taste to it.

Could the beer be overpressurized?

USMC - Retired · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 02:47 AM

Your beer is spoiled. At some point either your keg got warm or it was bad from the brewery which happens now and then.

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

Scott Zuhse · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 07:04 AM

What brand of beer are you dispensing? No such thing as around 36 to 38 degrees. Find out exactly what your beer temperature is. 10 PSI will flatten the beer. Check for pressure leaks. Evaluate the faucet for burrs inside and out.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

Capt_Hardcore · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 11:16 AM

The exact liquid temp was 39 degrees when I checked this morning. Iv got a 1/2 barrel of Coors light on there now. Gonna check the faucet and get back to you on that.

Scott Zuhse · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 07:52 PM

Coors Light has 2.75 CO2 vols. At sea level, 39 F - requires 17 PSIG. May need to add a foot of 3/16" to slow down the flow rate.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

Capt_Hardcore · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 09:59 PM

Thanks for the reply, going to turn it up to 17 and add a foot of tubing on tomorrow. About the faucet. What parts usually go bad? It looks like on this one that I have, they had a leak or something around where the faucet screws into the nipple shank assembly because there is some white tape around it.

Beer Dr · #11 (**permalink**) 01-05-2006, 06:14 PM

Sounds like however put the tape on the nipple has some across the front of the nipple. Remove the nipple and see if there is anything causing restiction. The beer is probably spraying through a piece of the tape.

Beer Dr · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2006, 01:56 AM

The other thing you might want to look for. Check to see if the nipple is smooth on the outside. If it is, this is probably a compression fitting. There is supposed to be a rubber grommet around the outside of the nipple. Sometimes when people take these apart the grommet stays inside the fitting. Then when they put the nipple back in it compresses across the nipple opening also causing the beer to spray through the fitting. Take the small nut off, inside the tower, slide the nipple out and look inside the fitting you slid the nipple out of for the grommet. If it's there, remove the tape and put the grommet around the outside of the nipple, and slide it back in, and tighten the compression fitting. I'll bet this is your situation, Let me know how you make out.

Beer Dr · #13 (**permalink**) 01-06-2006, 03:40 PM

Sorry re-read your post. Thought you said it had tape on the inside of the tower, not the faucet end. You should still check the inside to make sure there is nothing causing any unwanted restriction. Sometimes the elbow in the tower gets spun around and pinches against the side of the tower

Capt_Hardcore · #14 (**permalink**) 01-06-2006, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. I took apart the faucet and noticed no washer in there. I had a few spare ones I picked up at work. Cleaned the faucet and put the new washer in. Also I added a foot of line on the keg-to-faucet line. Tapped a new barrel and let it sit and get cold then tired to pour a drink today and nothing but pure foam comes out. Im really out of ideas on this one here.

Capt_Hardcore · #15 (**permalink**) 01-10-2006, 08:27 PM

anyone have any last suggestions? I really dont want to get out the old party cooler set and buy ice all the time [xx(]

Fry · #16 (**permalink**) 01-14-2006, 04:55 AM

I just posted on Commercial by mistake and have the same problems with the same beer. I bought a new faucet spring return tap and two gage regular from micromatic thinking one of them was bad. When I took apart the keg tap to clean there was a plastic ring with legs going in each direction. Below it was a rubber ball. When I assembled it back I realized the legs are different lengths. It looks like the ball just drops to keep back flow into the keg and the ring uses the standoffs to retain the ball and allow the beer to flow around it. Don't think that has anything to do with pressure control. I know its not a regulator problem because both regulators do the same thing. This is my second keg of Coors Light in 4 weeks so don't think its a bad beer problem.
Fry

Beer Dr · #17 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 01:40 PM

Check where the other post is

Beer Dr · #18 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 01:42 PM

Fry check the Commercial, I posted a reply

vachris · #19 (**permalink**) 01-30-2006, 02:38 PM

hello, just got my fridge converted. I think this is the greatest thing i have ever done. I just about cryed when i poured my first. anyway was wondering about pressure. it seems like what i have read it needs to be about 15 or so, but the beer comes out way to fast and is hard to control. at about 9-10 I can pour a good glass. I don't know if this will help but my beer line is 5 foot and 3/16 i.d. the faucet is maybe 6-8 inches above the tap. I will probably always be drinking bud light our maybe bud if i get a wild hair. If anyone has a suggestion i am open for it. thanks

round em' up

USMC - Retired · #20 (**permalink**) 01-30-2006, 02:54 PM

What is the liquid temp in your fridge?

Semper Fi,
The Gunns

"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin

Scott Zuhse · #21 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 09:04 AM

Capt. hardcore, check the top of the keg seal and inspect for any damage. Sometimes the seal can have a tear, cut, or crack which can cause the pressure to flow into the beer stream as it comes out of the keg. Also, check for pressure leaks and all hardware for any obstructions which could cause breakout.

As to the checkball (102-527) in the coupler, this has nothing to do with pressure.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute