Maintenance

KL15868 Mini 360 Core Actuator Regulator | Maintenance

Pressure Creep | Seat and Seat Cap Assembly Replacement

All regulators contain parts that are susceptible to ingress of contamination. Although the Mini 360 Core Actuator Regulator is made from high quality components and assembled in a clean environment it’s possible that throughout its life that some contamination can get into the regulator (normally through the inlet side).

For example, if a keg is completely full and at a higher pressure than the regulator is set to, then beer can enter the regulator through the outlet when the keg is connected. Always pulling the PRV of the keg to release headspace pressure will help prevent this from happening and is best practice whenever a CO2 Cylinder and regulator is connected to a keg.

If this contamination is able to get past the integrated sintered filter you may get “pressure creep”. Pressure creep is when contamination or something else has got into the seat and seat cap assembly and the flow of gas doesn’t stop even when the set pressure is reached.

This will often be noticed if the needle on the pressure gauge continues to rise until the pressure relief valve opens and pressure is released. If this happens repeatedly then it’s likely you will need to perform this maintenance process.

NOTE: The seat and seat cap assembly is the same part used inside the KegLand MK4 Regulator and is interchangeable. The required part is KL15646 MK4 - Replacement Regulator Diaphragm and Seat Assembly

Replacing the Seat and Seat Cap Assembly

1. With a small screw driver remove the two grub screws on both sides of the regulator knob

1. Once these grub screws have been removed the regulator black knob can be completely undone and removed as shown below

1. Using a set of needle nose pliers remove the piston diaphragm

1. With a 16mm or 5/8” socket set remove the seat and seat cap assembly. Please ensure the black o-ring comes out with this assembly. If the o-ring doesn’t come out at the same time you may have to remove the o-ring separately with a pointy object or pick tool.

   

Replace the brass seat and seat cap assembly with a new one. Ensure that you adequately tighten this seat cap assembly and then re-assemble the regulator in the reverse order.

Replacing Thumb Screw O-Ring

If for some reason you get gas leaking from the base of the thumb screw it’s possible that you have blown the o-ring on the thumb screw shaft. To replace this o-ring follow the steps below

1. Follow the steps 1-4 above for Replacing Seat and Seat Cap Assembly

2. Once the seat and seat cap has been removed in step 4 the thumb screw can be completely removed. Simply unscrew in the anti-clockwise direction

1. Inspect the o-ring in the image above and replace if necessary

2. Re-assemble the regulator in the same sequence as you took the components apart.

Lubricating Thumb Screw

It is highly recommended to lubricate the thumbscrew before use and at regular intervals to maintain performance. This will assist with ease of operation and is important as a maintenance step if the Mini 360 Regulator is used in adverse environments (such as inside a kegerator or fridge)

Food grade lube such as Mini Haynes Food Grade Lube 28g is ideal.

1. Disconnect the regulator from the pressure source

2. Turn the thumb screw all the way anti-clockwise so it’s out as far as it will go

3. Apply food grade lubricant to the thread or shaft of the thumb screw as shown below. Rotate the thumb screw in both directions to spread the lubricant over the thumb screw components

NOTE: It is completely normal for the thumb screw to be tight when under pressure

When the regulator has a cylinder attached and is under pressure the thumb screw will be more difficult to turn but with moderate force it still will move. When the pressure is released it will become easier to turn.