Perlick Faucet Install

Just finished ordering a new Perlick 525SS to replace a standard faucet and wanted to know if there is anything special I need to know to do it right the first time. I'll also be replacing the beer line for the 1st time, starting with a 10' section.

 

I have a BevAir BM-23, so hopefully won't have any issues.

 

Just finished replacing beer line and installing the Perlick 525 faucet. Previous beer line was 5 ft. I put on 10 feet to start based on advice from Doug. Seemed like I needed the extra footage so I could get co2 pressure control around the range I needed for Sam Adams beer. I could never really get it above 10.5 psi if I wanted decent pours. It was at 10 psi with the 5 ft line and got very good pours. At a steady 38 degrees, I need almost 12 psi according to the chart for 2.55 vols CO2.

Hopefully my keg comes in tomorrow; getting some Sam Adams Irish Red.

The only thing I question is the somewhat looseness with the tap handle at the closed position. Should it be like this for it to seal closed properly? Any watch outs here (too tight or too loose)?? I see how it seals forward toward the spout. Just not sure how tight/loose it needs to be.

I was also wondering if anyone uses faucet plugs to help ensure no leaks sprout up and make a mess. I tend to have cold beers everyday; so not sure it is a good (or bad) idea. The room that the kegerator is in is fairly secure (so cats can't open tap handle by mistake). But I would hate to have a mess happen- I would even get in trouble for that!! New room is sweeeeet.

 

Looks like Irish Red doesn't come in 1/2 kegs. Dam. Summer Ale now coming on Thursday.

 

Doug- just checked this morning; the bonnet feels like it is properly tightened already. I am getting some minor loose movement going side-to-side by moving the tap handle as it sits in the closed position.

 

I didn't take the faucet apart, so I was counting on it being built right as shipped.

 

I don't see anything that could actually be tightened. I checked the bonnet, which seemed fine. I'm assuming that the bonnet your talking about is the locking collar that tightens to the top of the faucet, and that it doesn't move as you move the tap handle back n forth.

The looseness (not much, but still enough play to question) is above the bonnet, with the piece that the tap handle screws in to. Hopefully it is just a pressure thing; there is no beer in the line/faucet since everything was replaced. I'm guessing it needs pressure in order to seal to the front floating o-ring. I just never rembered seeing this kind of play with the other standard faucet when changing out kegs.

 

Item 7 was what I thought you were taking about as being the bonnet. It felt properly tightened. The part that has the minor play in it is the handle jacket/handle leaver. The handle leaver description is saying that it is a new design that requires #6 to work. Is it possible that I have the old design faucet and need to get the #5 & 6 upgraded parts? I knew that Perlick was working on fixing some issues with these particular faucets. I was reading an extensive thread about this on another beer forum and alot of people had no issues with the old faucet design, while others did. I don't want to take it apart yet until I try it out first. I wonder if the Beverage Factory sells those parts too (I got the Perlick faucet from them)