New Kegerator and problems

[shaggyboiler]

Keg of Miller Light (full keg). I tapped it tonight. My CO2 tank is in the fridge with the keg. If I put the PSI at anything over 7 PSI beer doesn't flow. If I keep it under 7 PSI it flows pretty good. Very little foam which is good. The problem then is that it poors a glass or pitcher fine. Wait a few mins go back and it starts to poor and just stops. If I release the Co2 preasure in the keg it then poors just fine agian till you stop and wait, then it doesn't start back up again without doing the release of preasure.

I'm stumped. I don't know what to do. This is my first keg and first time I've one a kegerator. Any help?

Shane

[shaggyboiler]

Had two posts. Guess that happens when your drinking whats in the keg trying to get it fixed.

[jimandpam]

I had a similar problem, and it was the check ball getting stuck in the keg coupler. Good Luck.

[shaggyboiler]

What did you do to fix it then? New keg?

[CoreyD]

Untap the keg. Take the beer line off of the keg coupler. There should be a plastic ball retainer keeping the check ball from blocking the beer line. If you can tip the coupler and have the ball fall out, you are missing the retainer.

[shaggyboiler]

That was it. Thanks guys. I Replaced the retainer last night and everything is working perfectly now.

[mmwmark]

The CO2 setting on your regulator is concerning. At 7psi you stand to have your keg go flat over time. The brewer designed the product to be dispensed at 12-14 psi. Over time CO2 will come out of solution without the 12-14 pounds of pressure causing the keg to slowly go flat. By the time you get 1/2 way through the keg you should notice the carbonation level going down. Ofcourse, if you are pounding through kegs quickly, no problem.
Ideally, you should set your regulator at 12-14psi with about 4-5 feet of 3/16ID vinyl beer line from the keg to the shank. Beer temp in the glass should be at 36-38 degrees. Any warmer will probably cause some foaming. Besides, who wants to drink warm Miller Lite?
Also, you will get much better "mileage" from your CO2 tank if you can locate it outside the refrigerator. Always be sure the tank stands vertically, liquid CO2 in the valve is not a good thing. Cheers....

Mark Stirrett, Regional Manager Micro Matic

[shaggyboiler]

Thanks Mark,

Last night when I got the retainer replaced I bumped up the CO2 to 14psi. Works great there. Temp is 39degrees right now. Just a little to much foam (head) right now, but its getting better as the temp comes down a little.

Thanks
Shane