Now improved for 2021:
• 20% more adjustment knob range allows for finer flow control
• New softer spring for the poppet allows for both easier connection to a keg and easier knob adjustment
• New softer spring for the securing ring also eases installation and removal
• New markings on adjustment knob make it easy to know if you are increasing or decreasing flow
This all stainless fitting features a ball lock beer side connection, a ¼" male flare threaded outlet, and adjustable flow control. Perfect for making keg mounted faucets where you do not have 4' of 3/16" interior diameter tubing to reduce foaming. Adjust the flow when it leaves the keg!
If you want to make a ball lock keg faucet, you will need to purchase this connector, plus our items I26 Faucet Adapter, X85 Nukatap Faucet, D87 Concave Washer, and a tap handle of your choice. This disconnect is 3" tall.
Note: Due to variances in machining, these vary a bit as far as how much flow they constrict at a given turn of the knob. So if you have more than one, one may require a different amount of knob turning to achieve the same flow constricting result. Also, these have a bit more restriction than normal wide open ball lock disconnects even when they are fully open, something to keep in mind.
Click to download cleaning instructions in pdf format.
May 11, 2021 by Timmer
Q: Any update on when these might be back in stock?
A: It could be August or September, we are not sure.
Mar 17, 2021 by Nathan G
Q: Are these the First or Second Generation flow control QDs?
A: They are the second generation.
Nov 28, 2020 by Jesse
Q: Will these be back in stock? If so is there an ETA? Thanks
A: We don't know. It could be as early as March of 2021, or quite a bit later.
Jan 07, 2020 by GG
Q: Is a plastic flare washer needed if connecting this directly to a Q79 faucet adapter?
A: Yes, our item Q87
Dec 18, 2019 by Joe
Q: If I attach a faucet directly to this (no beer line), would I need a flow control faucet to dispense at 12 psi, or will this alone give me enough flow restriction?
A: This will let you dial in plenty of restriction, no need for the flow control faucet.
Restricts flow, allows for high carbonation.
I've been fermenting cider for about a year now and started kegging about 6 months ago. With a picnic tap, I wasn't able to get anywhere near the carbonation level I wanted without losing most of it to foam and waiting for that foam to die down a few times in order to fill a pint. With this flow control ball-lock, I can dispense at high pressures with no problems. So far I have had no issues with leaks or otherwise on all three that I ordered. Also these have a nice etched + and - indication on the top of the thumb screw. They are a bit taller than plastic ball-lock connectors, so be sure you have a little extra space.
Better than a flow control faucet
I've been using both an Intertap flow control faucet and a Perlick flow control faucet. Never quite happy with the Perlick. I had 12 feet of line based upon the online calculator I found and even with the Perlick still had issues. I installed one of these and after about 1 pour of fiddling around each time I change a 1/6 keg, I never have to mess with it again. I left my original beer line installed instead of changing it over to the recommended ID line form Kegland. I'm not in that much hurry to make a pour and I'm very happy with the results. I ditched the Perlick for a regular Intertap SS faucet and couldn't be happier.
No worries about line length anymore!
Conceptual physics and CO2 phase behavior aside as to why this works like it does, this can be adjusted to choke back your liquid flow rate enough that the CO2 stays in solution and only comes out at the tap with however much tubing you have. I highly recommend experimenting and taking a log book of how many turns from closed result in the optimal combination of foam and flowrate, noting bubbles in your tubing and the amount and quality of the head in your beer. At Denver sea level and 7' of tubing, I need about 1.25 - 1.5 turns to get more than a dribble out of the faucet without too much foam. Though a lower flow rate at home isn't bad - it's not like you need to get whatever you are pouring to the customer in record time - you're in control and doing the pouring yourself, so get the foam levels how you want them!
The best ball lock connector on the market
This thing is freaking incredible. I kid you not, I'm running less than a foot of line from this thing to a Pluto gun, and after adjusting it (which is comically easy, even with one hand), I have better pours than some of the lines at the brewery where I work (~2.5 vol for reference). If you can spare the money, 100% buy one of these for every keg you have. This is the best ball lock connector in existence
Not what I expected
I'd rate this as 5 stars if only it flowed more. It's too restrictive when "fully open". I do need to share some of the blame with this though, I didn't read the note about that before buying. Really, the only plus is that yes, my beer flows slowly and I don't get a ton of foam on that particular tap, but for less money I could have just made the beer line longer and used one of the cheaper plastic ball locks. I know this ball lock has a place in the world of beer, it's a well made product and aside from the flow, it rocks. Please, KegLand, make these flow better!