[wamille]

Smart people

I have several used kegs - all ball lock style.  I'm having problems with two of the six.  I can't get my ball valve connectors (gas, picnic taps) to work.  Well, they will work only after I force them onto the posts.  I'm about to order some new posts from Williams, but upon researching the situation, I'm finding I have Cornelius and Spartanburg (Challenger VI) kegs with various types of gas/beer posts affixed to them.  My two Spartanburg kegs have the appropriate posts, but the Cornelius kegs have both (what I think are) Spartanburg and Cornelius posts.  Further compounding my confusion is that the Cornelius posts on the Cornelius kegs are the two kegs for which I'm having my problems.  Confused.  What is the best option for me to fix my two problematic kegs?  Further, what is the best keg made for future reference?

Also, how does one clean the Spartanburg keg posts?  I can't remove them.  I have been filling the washed kegs with boiling water overnight thinking that should kill any "bugs" in the dip and beer tubes.  I haven't had any problems yet.

Bill (in South Korea)

[tschmidlin]

Hey Bill,

Before I knew better I used to have this problem.  The liquid fitting would sometimes not go on unless I really forced it on.  I even broke some of the fittings trying to get them off of the post.  Invariably it was a problem because I had washed bunch of kegs and when putting them back together had switched the posts around.  The gas and liquid posts are not interchangeable.

If you look at the bottom of the posts, the part where you will attach the wrench - the gas fittings have little horizontal cuts there, the liquid fittings do not.  Make sure you have them in the right places.

If you do and it's still a problem, try some keg lube, basically a food-grade silicon lubricant.

I hope that fixes it.  Can't help you with the Spartenburg kegs, I don't have any experience with them.

[wamille]

Tom,

Thanks for the input.  I'll order some of the keg lube and see if that's the problem.

My problem isn't necessarily the post connecting to the keg - it's that the ball valve won't connect to the post.  My CO2 cylinder and picnic tap have ball valve connectors, but will not connect to the posts on two of my kegs.  The other posts do not give me fits like these two... getting the gas and taps hooked on the good ones is too easy.  Again perhaps keg lube could help.

Cheers,
Bill 

[tschmidlin]

My problem isn't necessarily the post connecting to the keg - it's that the ball valve won't connect to the post.

Wait!

Sorry if I didn't explain this well.  The posts are interchangeable in that they will each fit on the keg in either position.  They are not interchangeable in that the liquid connector will not easily fit on the gas post if you have them switched.

Seriously, look for the cuts at the base where the wrench would grip, that will tell you which is the gas post and which is the liquid. I'll get you some pics so you can see what I'm talking about.

If you already know though, and have them on the right way, apologies.  Keg lube might help.

[tschmidlin]

Ok, here's a pic - ignore that the one on the left is a 6-point nut, and the one on the right is a 12-point nut.  They come in both.  But notice that the one on the right has cuts in the corners of the nut, while the one on the left is smooth.  The one on the left is a liquid post, the one on the right is a gas post.

Cuts = gas.  Smooth = liquid.

[wamille]

Tom,

Thanks for the pictures.  I see what you're saying about the horizontal cut.  I might have them backwards now that you mention it.  But would this cause the ball valve not to connect.  The posts themselves on the correct in and outputs would cause the CO2 and tap ball valves to fit properly?

Cheers,
Bill

[wamille]

Tom,

By the way, how do you get those posts off your kegs?  The one on the left has a thin area at the base of the post which I can't seem to get a wrench attached to.  The other one has that bizarre fitting... I don't know what tool to use on it.

Cheers,
Bill

[euge]

I don't think the QD's are interchangeable per se. They are different colors and just try to fit the grey one (in) on an out" post and it can be a challenge getting it off. I think the "out" post is slightly bigger so it's QD "black" does fit easily on an "in" post. I suppose one could just use all of one type to eliminate this.

Also it could just be a case of needing some lube. Periodically I'll use a little bit of olive oil to lightly oil the post. It becomes very easy to place and remove.

[tschmidlin]

The posts themselves on the correct in and outputs would cause the CO2 and tap ball valves to fit properly?

They are slightly different sizes, so the gas post does not fit a liquid disconnect easily.  So the grey (gas) disconnect should fit the one with the cuts easily, and the black (liquid) disconnect should fit the smooth post easily.  If they're not fitting the proper post easily try keg lube or some oil as euge suggests.  I wouldn't use olive oil since it can go rancid over time, although it might not really matter.  But I've got a bottle of mineral oil I would use if not for the keg lube.  Btw, don't spring for fancy mineral oil sold for oiling your wooden kitchen utensils.  Buy the stuff that is labeled as a laxative (at least in the US).  It is the same stuff, but 1/3 the price.

By the way, how do you get those posts off your kegs?

I use what I call a keg wrench.  It's a Craftsmen ratcheting box wrench I got from Sears for ~$12.  11/16" on one end, 7/8" on the other.  Some of my kegs have smaller fittings, some larger, this one wrench fits both size fittings.  Plus, it ratchets!  I actually have two, after I lost one for a year when I moved.

I have some kegs where the rubber top comes up high enough that it is hard to get the wrench on - is that the thin area to which you're referring?  I use vice grips or robo-grips to get hose off, but I tend to get rid of them after a while.  I'm spoiled by my keg wrench.

As for bizarre fitting, no eyed deer.  Maybe with a pic the collective wisdom of the forums could figure it out.

<edited for clarity>

[wamille]

Tom,

I've been tooling around the apartment checking out my kegs... and with your help have come to the conclusion that I have no keg post problems.  I got the posts on the two kegs backwards and testing them both with ball valves for input and output realize that all is well.  A couple years back I had taken the kegs apart to clean them before I really started kegging in ernest.  Now that I'm kegging two or three beers a month, I'm using them more.  I didn't even realize that the posts were different.  This is one of the reasons why I became an AHA member - utilizing the collecting brain-power of smart, experienced brewers.

Thanks for the enlightenment.

Cheers,
Bill

By the way, the post I was referring to before was the one to the right in that picture you sent earlier.  I don't know how to get it off the keg with all those points.

[a10t2]

You just need a 12-point box wrench, which you should be able to find at any hardware store.

The posts are 22mm, but a 7/8" should work if that's all you can find.

edit: Added picture.

[ajk]

Or a deep-well 12-point socket.  Most of my kegs take 7/8".

[tschmidlin]

Glad you've got it sorted Bill!

This is the wrench that I use. The offsets are nice, it fits both sizes of posts, and did I mention it ratchets?!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943365000P?prdNo=2

[wamille]

Now I feel dumb... haha.  My tool set is weak, but I've seen those type wrenches before.  Over here in Korea, our base store doesn't have a great tool selection.  I might have to just order some online.

Thanks again for the knowledge.  The longer I brew, the more my brain allows me to digest all the info I've been reading about over the last three years.  I really enjoy this hobby!

Cheers,
Bill

[tschmidlin]

No worries, as you can see from the posts above, there are lots of ways of doing things.  None of them are the only correct solution, it's all about what works for you,  I imagine in Korea there are some challenges that those of us in the US never even consider, but I'd bet brewing makes you popular on base .