Losing pressure from tap

[marsh1962]

hi,when I make a 40 pint kit up I put 6 in bottles and the rest in a barrel. My problem isn't with the bottles, never get much of a head anyway. The problem I get is sealing the tap washer, I noticed this weekend and not for the first time that when tighting tap it forces seal outwards and leaks. I loosen tap put on thin nylon tie and retighten, seems to help maybe too much pressure due priming. No help to you I'm sure but while on the subject of beer just thought I'd say.010.jpg

[oliver90owner]

You will get control over the pressure if you fit an s30, or similar, valve in the cap. Should be end of the problem. Alernatively, get a decent tap?

[Cellar_Rat]

are you sure you are not overtightening it ?

[marsh1962]

Hi again, just to say I do have a s30 valve and thought taps were pretty standard. I don't think I'm over tightening it, it starts to leak a few days after filling barrel and washer bulges when trying to stop leak, might just need new washer. I did think of investing in king keg top tap, maybe I could trick someone in buying me one. Thanks for input I should have started own thread this ones about bottling.

[lockwood1956]

Thanks for input I should have started own thread this ones about bottling.

Sorted!

[oliver90owner]

I do have a s30 valve

It's probably not an excess pressure problem, in that case.

KK top taps don't seem that popular with the brewing fora. The only real advantage is to be able to draw off, while stood on the floor or at the back of a wide shelf or work surface. Other than that, the bottom taps are preferred.

[gitface]

Hi

Just an out there suggestion, but have you tried a liberal use of PTFE tape on the threads before fitting. Back in my paintball days if you had an air leak then out came the PTFE, and when I say liberal I mean liberal.

Mark...............

[Cellar_Rat]

Hi

Just an out there suggestion, but have you tried a liberal use of PTFE tape on the threads before fitting. Back in my paintball days if you had an air leak then out came the PTFE, and when I say liberal I mean liberal.

Mark...............

Loctite 55 is better

[Cellar_Rat]

..... and washer bulges when trying to stop leak, might just need new washer.

If the washer is bulging, it is being unseated. the fact it is unseated is the reason it is leaking.

Loctite 55 - I know this is the second time I've have mentioned it, but it really is a world ahead of PTFE tape.

My tap free philosophy also works. No taps -no problem.

[marsh1962]

hi, loctite or ptfe sounds a good idea I've got some tape in the garage. I was planning on doing another kit this weekend for my second barrle it shouldn't really be empty but I've got out of sync, thought woodfords headcracker never done before. ps what do you mean no taps-no problem do you use bottles or dip your glass straight into the bucket?

[Cellar_Rat]

ps what do you mean no taps-no problem do you use bottles or dip your glass straight into the bucket?

I am an infreqent beer drinker so I use bottles. When I make for parties, I use a corny Keg. I have a 'no taps as far as possible' policy across the board.

[marsh1962]

Hi' I'am glad you've cleared that up I would hate to get the wrong opinion of the people who use this forum. Yours apologetically Anthony

[Cellar_Rat]

Nothing to apologise for. Dipping the glass in the bucket did make me smile

[Duffbeer]

Unfortunately it is likely to be down to overpressuring of this (economy style) barrel, they cannot take much pressure before the barrel begins to distort and thus cause leakage at it's weakest point which is the tap seal on these barrels. The idea of the s30 valve as a pressure release valve doesn't work on these the point at which it releases excess co2 is beyond the pressure these barrels can take.

Though don't be put off, a few things you might want to consider...
1 Always ensure you beer has finished fermenting before barrelling.
2 never use more than 100g of priming sugar, I tend to find 75g satisfactory.
3 Forget priming alltogether and simply charge with s30 cylinder (no more than 1 second blast).