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Author Topic: Check Valves on Gas Distributor  (Read 4741 times)

Offline monk

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Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« on: March 31, 2010, 12:01:58 pm »
I just got a gas distributor that has shut-off valves, but no check valves.  I was told that the check valves are usually for the coupler so that beer doesn't get into the gas lines.  What coupler are they talking about?  And can I put simple plastic check valves (like in the pic) in the gas lines to keep it from flowing back up into the distributor?
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23369&clickid=redirect

Offline enso

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2010, 12:43:15 pm »
What is your distributor (manifold) like?  Or are you talking about the regulator? Are you certain the shut-off valves do not have internal check valves. 

Mostly you do not want to risk the chance that beer will back up into the regulator which could damage it.  The other concern would be cross conantamination from one keg to another if beer flowed up one line and down another.  If you are concerned and do have the potential for that to happen then those would work inline from the manifold to the QD's and are cheap insurance. 
Dave Brush

Offline monk

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2010, 03:51:59 pm »
It's the distributor/manifold and, unfortunately, I am sure there's no check valves.  I think the guy who answered my question on the phone was thinking that I have a commercial keg with a fancy coupler, rather than a homebrew keg with a QD.  I think I'll be picking these check valves up just to make sure I don't run one beer into the next.  Thanks for the info.

Offline rabid_dingo

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2010, 03:25:20 pm »
I recently found the same. I asked if the manifold had check valves in it and I was told yes. But it seems that
the check valve is for the whole manifold. Not individual lines. So, beer did shoot up one line but never out to the
gas tank...I'm going to get some.
Ruben * Colorado :)

Offline nyakavt

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2010, 09:20:09 am »
I've heard at least one reliable forum member over at NB claim that he got aroma contamination from one beer to another when they were hooked up with no check valves (without any beer backflow), something like a Helles and an IPA on the same gas connection.

As for the manifold, if it's made for a commercial system (sounds like it) then there will be no check valves at each connection because commercial couplers have a built in check valve.  

If you're looking for a DIY, I built a 3-way splitter coming out of each regulator all with check valves for pretty cheap.  The 'manifold' is a 4 port 1/4" FPT air tool splitter from harbor freight, $2 each.  Into each FPT port I screwed in a 1/4" MPT to 1/4" MFL check ball valve ($2.50 each at NB, item K125), then used the standard 1/4" FFL swivel nuts and barbs to connect to the gas lines with a nylon flare washer (item K127, $0.10 each).  Pretty cheap way to go, but there are no shutoffs to each line so you have to do some thorough leak checking.  You could put as many of these air tool splitters in line as you like with a 1/4" MPT to MPT nipple.

Offline tankdeer

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2010, 01:38:13 pm »
I find it strange that there are gas manifolds floating around that have shutoffs w/o check valves. What kinda of funky shut off valves does it have, because the "normal" ones sold by most LHBS have integrated check valves.
No TV and no beer make Homer something something...

Offline nyakavt

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2010, 07:56:00 am »
I find it strange that there are gas manifolds floating around that have shutoffs w/o check valves. What kinda of funky shut off valves does it have, because the "normal" ones sold by most LHBS have integrated check valves.

Sites that are dedicated to commercial products rather than homebrew products will carry distribution manifolds without check valves.  Take micromatic for instance, not only do they not have any check valves at the manifold, but they are also set up for 5/16" line.

Offline tankdeer

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2010, 10:59:58 am »
I find it strange that there are gas manifolds floating around that have shutoffs w/o check valves. What kinda of funky shut off valves does it have, because the "normal" ones sold by most LHBS have integrated check valves.

Sites that are dedicated to commercial products rather than homebrew products will carry distribution manifolds without check valves.  Take micromatic for instance, not only do they not have any check valves at the manifold, but they are also set up for 5/16" line.
Well there ya go. I knew that commercial systems were usually setup on larger line, which makes sense when you consider the length of the runs that they usually have to go, but didn't realize that they didn't have check valves. Guess I never paid that much attention.
No TV and no beer make Homer something something...

Offline babalu87

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Re: Check Valves on Gas Distributor
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2010, 07:38:55 am »
I dont think check valves do much for air going the other way.

Everytime I hook a keg of Hefe/Cider etc up to my system it gets out of wack

My system
4 kegs on a 4 in 1 distributor
Jeff

On draught:
IIPA, Stout, Hefeweizen, Hallertau Pale Ale, Bitter

Primary:
Hefeweizen,Berliner Weisse, Mead