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Author Topic: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet  (Read 5433 times)

Offline jwaldner

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Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« on: February 11, 2011, 04:11:52 pm »
I've recently got into kegging and I think I've been having some trouble with my kegs leaking CO2 so I went to inspect my kegs and it seems I have some differences between the types of posts and poppets that came on my refurbished kegs.

All of my kegs are of the Cornealius type. However, my posts seem to be of the Type A for ball lock which I understand to be for Firestone, Challenger and Super Challenger kegs.  Upon further inspection, it appears some of my poppets are a mix of the Type A and Type B. 

If I'm using the wrong type posts to match the keg will this cause CO2 to leak?  In addition, if I have the wrong type poppet to match the post will this cause CO2 to leak? 

How critical is this to match exactly?

Cheers
T

Offline tygo

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2011, 06:46:27 pm »
Here's a good write-up by Mike Dixon that helped me when I had a similar question:

http://hbd.org/carboy/ballkegclean.htm
Clint
Wort Hogs

Offline jwaldner

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2011, 09:07:19 am »
Here's a good write-up by Mike Dixon that helped me when I had a similar question:

http://hbd.org/carboy/ballkegclean.htm
[/quote

Thanks, that helps.  It does talk about how the poppets should match the post but is it also important for the post to match the type of the keg or do they all basically have the same type of threads/fittings?

Cheers

Offline tom

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2011, 11:48:27 am »
There are 3 different threads for those too. Here is the info thanks again from Mike Dixon:  http://www.dresselbrew.com/Keg_Info.htm
Brew on

Offline jwaldner

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2011, 03:04:09 pm »
Thanks for all the info.  After reviewing it, I feel like I got ripped off when I bought the reconditioned kegs or I'm still not understanding something.

I have kegs that say "Cornelius" but have a model name like "Super Champion" or "XI."  On those kegs I have the Type "A" fittings but the Type "B" poppets.  From the information, I need to now spend more money and buy either the correct fittings or poppets or both!

Maybe I should have stuck with  bottling  :'(

Offline tom

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2011, 11:23:26 pm »
Maybe I should have stuck with  bottling  :'(
Ahh, that would be a big No.
Brew on

Offline tumarkin

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2011, 05:32:57 am »
I've known & heard posts from a number of brewers who bought kegs. Then, took them all apart, cleaned all the parts together, put them together wrong and were then in the same position you're in now. It's entirely possible that the place you bought them got them in that condition (the soda folks could have screwed it up too).

Anyway, I'd contact them and see if they'll do anything about the situation. If not, you'll have to figure out exactly what kegs you have, and what parts you need. Once you've got the pia & expense behind you, you'll love kegging.
Mark Tumarkin
Hogtown Brewers
Gainesville, FL

Offline tubercle

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2011, 08:05:25 am »
I always buy kegs that are not reconditioned.

Buying them as is means no one has taken them apart and mixed the parts up.

They usually still have syrup in them but it is very little trouble and inexpensive to disassemble and clean, replace gaskets, etc.
Sweet Caroline where the Sun rises over the deep blue sea and sets somewhere beyond Tennessee

Offline jwaldner

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Re: Matching Keg, Post & Poppet
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2011, 08:14:59 am »
I went ahead and bought new poppets to match the lugs.  I hope that will be sufficient and I don't have to come back to buy all new lugs and poppets again.

It's been months since I bought the kegs (online) and I don't know if they would do anything about it but rest assured I'm armed with the right information this time and will not make this mistake again.

Thanks to you all!

Cheers