Tried and true methods for tank leak detection?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by ronobvious2, Aug 4, 2014.

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  1. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Yesterday while I was working on my latest brew to my second keg, I checked out the arrangement in my keezer. I was reaching down to move a 4-pack when my nose got a tingling sensation. That told me that I might have CO2 in the keezer. Stuck my nose down a little further and took a bigger whiff. Tiny mistake. That got my heart racing a bit and out of breath a little too. I know there's the method of using a brush with soapy water to find leaks. I thought that spraying Star-San might work too since it bubbles and is foamy. Any other methods?
     
    #1 ronobvious2, Aug 4, 2014
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I have spritzed with Starsan solution to see bubbles. Also, increasing the pressure while testing may help.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Aug 4, 2014
    inchrisin and ronobvious2 like this.
  3. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Good idea. I'll do that.
     
    #3 ronobvious2, Aug 4, 2014
  4. ThomP

    ThomP Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2007 Texas

    spray bottle with soap, but if Star san bubbles like soap, then your golden
     
    #4 ThomP, Aug 4, 2014
  5. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah


    Starsan will bubble and foam.. ever use it? It's perfect for looking for leaks
     
    #5 FATC1TY, Aug 4, 2014
  6. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    I use starsan via spray bottle but still have managed to drain more co2 tanks than I care to admit...
     
    #6 koopa, Aug 4, 2014
  7. ThomP

    ThomP Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2007 Texas

    I have never used it.
     
    #7 ThomP, Aug 5, 2014
  8. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    Crank up the pressure to 50 psi. Most leaks of any consequence will announce themselves audibly at that pressure. Spray every connection with StarSan to find the rest.
     
    #8 mikehartigan, Aug 5, 2014
  9. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Found one! I did find a second one where my connection was connected to the regulator. I used gas Teflon tape and tightened the connections down more. http://youtu.be/vwYASJT0p-s
     
    #9 ronobvious2, Aug 5, 2014
  10. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I've noticed that some kegs need 15+PSI to seal on the lid. They're just wonky sometimes.
     
    #10 inchrisin, Aug 5, 2014
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