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Beer flow is low

Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 11:31 pm
by Beer-lord
I'm not sure what's up with one of my taps. It's not fully carbed yet but the flow is only about 20%. The ball lock is fine and the line is clear (I just cleaned it and it ran fine). I think it's likely a problem with either a blockage in the tube.
So, should I wait until it's carbed to remove the post and manually turn the beer tube or should I take a chance and remove the beer tube completely and make sure there is no blockage.
The only other problem I can think of is the poppet but it worked fine when I emptied the keg of Star San before filling.
Or I can just leave it alone and patiently wait for it to pour a pint. Lots of life could go by during that time.

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 7:55 am
by ScrewyBrewer
I keep a spare picnic tap lying around to help troubleshoot issues like this one, they're pretty inexpensive to buy. If I get a good flow out of the ball lock then there's definitely some kind of blockage between the tap and the ball lock.

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:04 am
by Beer-lord
I tried 2 others that don't work either and that's why I think its the beer tube or possibly the post. I think I'll give it a look tonite and maybe take it apart. At least I can tap the beer though very slowly.

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:48 am
by philm00x
I fully expected to read that the title of this thread meant your pipeline was almost empty...

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 9:19 am
by Beer-lord
No way I'll let that happen. I'd put out an SOS first!

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 11:28 am
by gwcr
Beer-lord wrote:I tried 2 others that don't work either and that's why I think its the beer tube or possibly the post. I think I'll give it a look tonite and maybe take it apart. At least I can tap the beer though very slowly.
If it is a slight blockage, you may try moving the gas line to the out post and giving it a quick shot of CO2. Might blow it out without having to take it apart.

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 11:36 am
by Beer-lord
Good idea. When I was cleaning it out, I had the same problem and I thought I seated the tube ok. For some reason, even with a new washer, it moves too easy and my thought is that the bottom is turned to the wall side of the keg and is getting restricted flow so I should should be able to turn it a bit. I also wonder if I put too much lube on the new ring and when tightening the post, it might allow it to move too easy.
I also think I overthink my overthinking..........yea, I do!

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 11:54 am
by ScrewyBrewer
You need a beer to calm you down so you can think better[emoji482]

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 11:56 am
by Beer-lord
What would you suggest is the best beer to calm me down the quickest? Or maybe its just a quantity thing. ;)

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 4:07 pm
by BlackDuck
Beer-lord wrote:What would you suggest is the best beer to calm me down the quickest?
I would think any one of these would work..... http://www.foodrepublic.com/2013/11/08/ ... orth-drink And look, one is from Avery, your favorite brewery that you can't get down there!!!

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 5:10 pm
by Beer-lord
I have none of those so Inkleg's stout RBS is going to have to do.
And your comments about me not getting Avery beer is just cruel. I'd type more but there's water in my eyes! <goes to grab a kleenex>

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 6:53 pm
by Beer-lord
Crisis averted. Replaced the ball lock disconnect with another and I'm flowing again. The weird thing is, after taking the ball lock apart, I can't see any problems at all. It's only a year old, the washer is good, the spring is fine, the plastic tip is fine. No idea but I trashed it anyway so I don't run into problems like this again. Not worth worrying for a $5 part especially when I have 5 or 6 extra laying around.
There was a problem though, I had to fill a glass about half to make sure it flowed ok and had to drink half a pint of DurangA that isn't quite ready yet. Returns are still coming in but I expected more nose but it taste pretty damn good. It'll be at least another week or two before I match it with the real thing but that's for another day, another thread.
Thanks for the ideas guys.

Re: Beer flow is low

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 6:35 am
by FedoraDave
You'll get more aroma when it's carbed properly.