Blichmann Riptide PRV

Systems, Gear, & DIY
1

I have the Riptide pump head which uses a pull-style PRV similar to the type used on kegs. To purge the air out of the pump and on the suction side, the PRV ring is pulled and hot, sticky work/air mixture escapes the side vent holes on each side of the housing. This creates a mess down the pump head and onto anything beneath. Does anyone have a solution to control this mess?

2

I used the PRV once and have never used it again because it made a mess. I arrange the pump and hoses so that I can fill the pump with liquid and get the air bubbles out with gravity before I turn on the pump. I rotate the pump housing so the inlet is pointing down and the outlet is pointing up. That also helps with draining the hoses at the end. I have never had a problem priming the pump.

3 Likes
3

I suggest using a long rod with a hook at the end to pull the PRV ring while encasing the PRV with a thick wad of paper towels.

4

Interesting you say that. Blichmann cust service said to cover with rags.

they have designed a solution with a small barbed post for a tube but that requires replacing the entire pump head at ~$100.

I’m thinking rags/papertowels.

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5

I have the riptide and agree its a mess maker!! I will look at mine when I get home. Im thinking that a nipple and elbow might negate the issue. I’m thinking that it can be extended an 1” or 2” then 90* elbow pointing downward and reattach the PRV. Should be a cheap fix if it can be done.

6

I sanitize my pump, inline screen (to catch any stray hop pellet pieces), and plate chiller before the end of the boil. If you leave the hose full of sanitizer when you connect it to the kettle, the pump will be primed and you will be good to go. You just have to watch outflow of the pump to your fermenter to make sure you get all the sanitizer out of the system.

My situation is a bit unique since I pump the wort from the center of the kettle, so I have to make sure the dip tube in the kettle is full of wort before I start chilling by draining a small amount through the kettle valve. If I don’t do that, it becomes a PITA to get the pump primed.

7

I disassembled the pump head and looked at the threads. Although they look like NPT, they are a coarse thread and shallow and the relieve ports are before the pull ring so zero chance of a nipple. My idea is null and void.

8

I did the same thing and came to the same conclusion. I see three options:

  1. live with it, use rags/paper towels prior to pulling PRV/bleed valve.

  2. buy a new design Riptide pump head for ~$100

  3. buy a new pump for ~$200-300.

Pending any other good alternatives, I think I’m going with option No1.