Having trouble maintaining CO2 pressure once I pour a beer. System seems air tight and will maintain pressure for a week (with CO2 valve open or closed). Tap is very hard to pull and mostly foam comes out at first, then a nice pour, but CO2 will completely go empty almost immediately (when CO2 is off). With CO2 valve open PSI pressure drops some (12 to 10) but if I dont shut off CO2 the tank will completely empty over a period of days. I have to start over with connecting again turning on CO2, etc. and pressure will hold until I pour another beer. Nay help would be appreciated. Regulator and Coupler are brand new (just replaced). Thanks
Not sure what you mean when you say if you don't shit off the CO2 the tank will completely empty in a few days, but all the other stuff you are referring to might be pointing to the duckbill seal on the CO2 line into the coupler being gunked up or stuck closed. Take it out, clean it and make sure you can blow air through it from the washer side towards the beak.
It's pretty clear you have a leak. You should be able to leave the CO2 valve open for years without losing gas. Similarly, if you turn it off, the kegs should stay pressurized for years. Turn the pressure up to 50 psi or so and listen for leaks. Tighten any connector that hisses (those are the easy ones). Then spray each and every fitting with soapy water or StarSan, even the ones you just fixed. Every source of bubbles you see needs to be fixed. Once that's done, you should be able to turn everything back on and forget about it until the keg kicks. Regarding the tap (actually, the faucet) being hard to pull, I'm guessing you're using a conventional rear-seal faucet. Beer dries out and essentially glues the faucet shut (beer is simply sugar water, in this context). These work fine in a commercial setting where beer is flowing all day. In the home, it may be hours or even days between pours, so drying out becomes a problem. Replace it with a forward-seal model or perhaps a Perlick and the problem will go away.
Thank you for the replies.I have tried soapy water looking for leaks but have not tried bumping up the psi to help identify. I assume I would do that with the coupler unattached to the keg. If it is a leak though I dont know why it doesnt leak and holds pressure until I pour. Will also try and check the duckbill valve, but that doesnt seem like it is causing any leaking. Coupler is brand new though. I am certainly not an expert so I appreciate the insight. Thanks
Probably should have also mentioned that the system worked fine for about 7 years and CO2 tanks would last a couple years, then noticed one only lasted a couple weeks. The regulator, coupler and lines were all replaced. No loss of pressure when CO2 flow is turned off to the keg so tank seems fine.
Had CO2 valve open, poured a couple beers, turned off CO2 about 1/2 hour later and within an hour gauge showed as empty. Disconnected the coupler and turned up the PSI to over 40 and did not hear any hissing or leaks. Pressure is holding with coupler disconnected. Seems like it might be a problem with the seal between the coupler and the keg although I have never seen any bubbles when I spray soapy water there.
If you have the CO2 valve closed why would you care what the gauge says? There no pressure at the gauge from the CO2 if its closed. Unless you are talking about the valve from the regulator to the hose? Are you saying you turn off the CO2 then an hour later turn it back on and its empty? I'm very confused.
The description certainly was round about, but presumably he has a leak after some clarification. Not sure if he will be back or not, but unless you vent the keg after you shut off the valve, the line will still be reading pressure on the gage, until it leaks out or gets dispensed out with beer.
Yup, I was thinking he meant the CO2 tank was empty after an hour with the valve closed. Couldn't understand the correlation of the gauge on a closed co2 tank to it being empty. Anyhow duh on my part
