Anyone know a good source for new Perlick sample valves. I have checked G.W. Kent and they don't carry the ones I need. They must go directly into the tank and must be able to accept a carbonation tester. Thanks for your input!
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Perlick Sample Ports
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leaky valves
If your valves are leaking, you can use lapping compund to re-smooth the surface. It's fairly tedious but the valves will come out good as new.
Start with a coarse compound and apply it fairly generously to both pieces of the valve. Work the valve with the compound back and forth and around -- making sure to keep the pieces flush -- for a couple of minutes. You'll feelt he compund start to "wear out." Add some more and keep going for about 10 minutes.
Then use a fine compund to finish. Do the same thing for about 10 minutes, re-applying as necessary.
It's important to keep the pressure evenly distributed as you work the lapping compound. I recommend a table-top vice to keep the out part of the valve steady while you work the inner portion.
This is some information about the grit measurements of different compounds, however I don't know anything about this company:
CLOVER LAPPING AND GRINDING COMPOUNDS are abrasive pastes for the cutting, smoothing and finishing of metal surfaces, and for the precision mating of metal parts.
I know our lapping compund is grease-based but I don't know the actual grit measurements. Perlick would probably be able to make a good recommendation.
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Yes my valves leak, but they also sat for 3 years before i took them apart. I have changed the gaskets, and have regreased with white lithium. Havent heard about lapping, but a friend who has a machine shop says they probably have worn down and need to be retapped. I think I'm just gonna buy new ones from perlick. I'll keep the old ones as extras. I'll try relapping one.
Cheers!!Tim Butler
Empire Brewing Co.
Syracuse, NY
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I soaked them in caustic, then acid, then after they were clean and dry put a light film of CIP Lube on the interior, and good to go. I also got extra gaskets for the tank connection at the local hardware store. They are on brite tanks at 10-15 psi and no leaks.Paul Thomas
Brewer
Sockeye Brewing
www.sockeyebrew.com
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Perlick Alternative
There is an option to the Perlick swickel that is an improved design over the "old" style, which is a plug valve. Perlick has a new design, which is much better if you are buying new ones, but they can be a bit pricey. The alternative is from PBM, a specialty valve manufacturer from Pittsburgh, which has a rising stem design based on a pharmaceutical sampling valve. It comes with the spigot for the sampling devices common in breweries. It's been a while, but they were less $ than the Perlicks when I last dealt with them, and had a replaceable seal and O-ring, which made it much easier to maintain and service. They also come in several end configurations (Tri-Clamp and threaded). They sell through distributors, so check with them to see who can get them near you. They handled the flaming and sterilization stuff pretty well. I confess that I worked for one of their distributors when they came out, and thought they were the best new product for brewers I'd seen in a while, and after 12 years in brewing I almost shat myself with joy at the chance to call on my former colleagues, since I was dealing with biotech and pharmaceutical companies at the time. I've sinced gotten back into production (sales was not for me...), only making drugs now, so I guess brewing was sort of a "gateway" job....but I digress. Check out the PBM's and compare them to the Perlick's. There are options.
Jim P
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PBM Contact info
1070 Sandy Hill Road
Irwin, PA 15642
724 863-0550
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