Cleaning A Micromatic Regulator!?

[matti]

I managed to get beer into my regulator a while ago.
I think I've managed to blow it all out but I am not 100% sure.
It is a micromatic dual regulator and it has been working fine thus far.
After reading a few post in rescent times it appear that residual sugar can lead to bacteria growth and you could end cross contaminating kegs etc etc.

To be on the safe side I wanted to ensure that all residual sugars gone and start anew without having to purchase a new regulator.
I have been searching but I cannot find the post of picks "how to pull it apart"

If any one can lead me in right direction would be highly appreciated.
Cheers

matti
ps. I do have a non return valve to fiit on that i hopefully never have to fully test <_<

 

[Franko]

I managed to get beer into my regulator a while ago.
I think I've managed to blow it all out but I am not 100% sure.
It is a micromatic dual regulator and it has been working fine thus far.
After reading a few post in rescent times it appear that residual sugar can lead to bacteria growth and you could end cross contaminating kegs etc etc.

To be on the safe side I wanted to ensure that all residual sugars gone and start anew without having to purchase a new regulator.
I have been searching but I cannot find the post of picks "how to pull it apart" View attachment 21718

If any one can lead me in right direction would be highly appreciated.
Cheers

matti
ps. I do have a non return valve to fiit on that i hopefully never have to fully test <_<

Matti give me a call I've rehab 1 or two of these and have a diagram if needed
Franko

 

[Franko]

Matti,
you will need to purcase a CO2 Regulator - Repair Kit (Micromatic) from Ross to service it mate more than likely the seal inside is stuffed from getting wet.
Anyway give me a call and pop on up to my place and we'll fix it over a beer

Franko

 

[Franko]

I'm on a roll here you go Matti found what I had that may help you

Franko

 

[matti]

Absolutely gold.
At work ATM. But if I find time I'll pop over. I might have to drain my ESB turned into Muddy EMB 1st LOL
matti

Edit I've heard you drink anythink maybe i should bring the keg over too hehehe

 

[matti]

Better late then never.
The inside of the regulator clean as whistle but on the outside of the seal it stinks like buggery.
Thanks Franko for the picks and Ross and Anthony for the quick delivery of the repair kit.
I'll report back when I am finished.
(No gel this time franko, CCTV )

matti

 

[FarsideOfCrazy]

Hi Matti,

A non return valve would have saved you the hassle of that little problem, did you buy one this time?

 

[matti]

Well that was fun.
The spring I had to boil in caustic.
The gunk outside the seal area was harder to get rid off the I thought.
I used gumption and a toothbrush but I am sure there are other andbetter ways.
The spring casing is really difficult to clean so I suggest you don't wait 6 months to get yours fixed if you ever get beer in your regulator.

Oh. If you have trouble opening it ensure you put the regulator in a vise so you don't risk damages any parts .
I am not a plummer but not a full dummy either (part from getting beer in my regulator).
I am sure there is a better thread how to repair a micromatic regulator.
So I'll finish my monolouge with:


Don't get beer in your regulator and ignore it for 6 months.
It may work fine for a while but eventually it will cease and you'll be cursing yourself.

Matti

 

[Franko]

:lol:

good to see you've sorted it Matti.

Dont worry about the gel mate.

Franko

 

[peas_and_corn]

ewwwwwwww

 

[captaincleanoff]

i got beer in my reg probably about 6 months ago now.. I gave it a rinse but didnt take it apart.. Reading this, and seeing that photo worries me!!

Is it hard to dismantle and clean them? Is the repair kit necessary if there is no leak?

 

[chappo1970]

i got beer in my reg probably about 6 months ago now.. I gave it a rinse but didnt take it apart.. Reading this, and seeing that photo worries me!!

Is it hard to dismantle and clean them? Is the repair kit necessary if there is no leak?

Easy IMO but you'll need a big enough adjustable wrench/spanner to get the front cover plate off and some basic screw drivers to lever/persuade a few thing out. Clean it up and see what you find, you might need a repair kit but you won't know until you get in there.

 

[brettprevans]

that is gross. wow you lucky it survived.

Ross was telling me that the micromatics are usually buggered if beer gets in them. and the repair kit is almost as expensive as a new reg.

 

[technocat]

There is an enormous amount of energy in a full cylinder of CO2. I myself wouldn't touch it and would send it in for a service or buy a new one. I repair most things around our property as we live rural and was in the electronic service industry until I pulled the plug, but a regulator in any shape or form I wouldn't touch, just my view.

 

[matti]

I agree that the example in this post is aweful and it is not something I incourage people to do.
The repair kits are not cheap but cheaper then a regulator.

I took the pics to demonstrate a worst case scenario.

There are people here that tend to think that blowing the regulator out will clean it.
This might be the case for a very small amount.
The main casing will stay fairly clean but the gunk can grow and if you are a regual geek getting beer back up the gas line more the once, you can spoil your entire keg.

Most people that do get beer in the regulators are having a "blond moment" or don't know what they are doing.
If you have a double whammy like my self this is the result.

Steps to take is to
1.turn off gas bottle.
2.Disconnect the keg/kegs
3.Open release valve on regulator.

When you open it/unscrew it, it takes a bit of mucle or technique.
I mention to put the darn thing into a vice or you be knocking youself silly trying to open it.

If you haven't got the right tools, don't bother. You'll damage the regulator or yourself or someone/something standing by.

Best thing is not getting beer into the regulator in the first place either by due care or a non return valve.
:icon_cheers:

 

[hoohaaman]

Most parts in the micromatic are cleanable and re-usable,so you don't have to pay for a 2/3 price kit.

Common sense should prevail

 

[technocat]

Yeah, right on Matti bit like trying to clean a loaded firearm.

 

[MarkBastard]

Sorry for the bump.

I was at a party on Saturday with my party keg setup. First time I'd used it. Silly me didn't realise the keg was fairly badly under carbed but with no other beer I decided the only thing to do was to force carb using the soda stream bottle. I figured it'd be pretty easy to force carb a 9L keg that was partially carbed anyway.

Well I did the first part, with the pressure up high rocking back and forth. But then I realised I can't turn the gas off at the bottle. No worries I thought, I'll just turn the pressure down on the regulator for the same affect. OH SHIT. Beer in the reg. Why the hell did I take that no-return-valve off when I was swapping over the beer and gas disconnects? Oh dear god I am stupid. I ended up blowing most of the beer out of the reg using gas and it did dispense the keg and I did have a well carbed keg after that, but now I'm a bit worried about the regulator. Will pull it apart tonight. I hope with only two days exposure I should be fine and not need to use a repair kit. I guess if I get a big paranoid about using this reg on a big bottle I can buy another reg and use this one only for soda stream bottles (so a leak may not be enough to kill me).

 

[Batz]

Sorry for the bump.

I was at a party on Saturday with my party keg setup. First time I'd used it. Silly me didn't realise the keg was fairly badly under carbed but with no other beer I decided the only thing to do was to force carb using the soda stream bottle. I figured it'd be pretty easy to force carb a 9L keg that was partially carbed anyway.

Well I did the first part, with the pressure up high rocking back and forth. But then I realised I can't turn the gas off at the bottle. No worries I thought, I'll just turn the pressure down on the regulator for the same affect. OH SHIT. Beer in the reg. Why the hell did I take that no-return-valve off when I was swapping over the beer and gas disconnects? Oh dear god I am stupid. I ended up blowing most of the beer out of the reg using gas and it did dispense the keg and I did have a well carbed keg after that, but now I'm a bit worried about the regulator. Will pull it apart tonight. I hope with only two days exposure I should be fine and not need to use a repair kit. I guess if I get a big paranoid about using this reg on a big bottle I can buy another reg and use this one only for soda stream bottles (so a leak may not be enough to kill me).

You don't need a repair kit, just strip it down and clean it up. Easy as !

Batz

 

[porky]

For all those that haven't taken a reg apart....
It is only a rubber diafram, a spring, and a needle valve.
Really nothing to it.
Just take it apart.... and clean it. Really no big deal. Go for it.

It is as simple as...as Batz has pointed out.

Cheers,
Bud