| Introduction |
|
The BetterBottle SimpleFlo™ Valve and Racking Adapters make up the first valve system that truly addresses the specialized needs of home winemakers and home brewers; making it possible to rack and bottle professionally, without siphons or pumps. The components are made of an incredibly tough, proprietary PET that does not stain or impart flavors and is easily cleaned and sanitized. SimpleFlo Valves have a simple flow path, to prevent clogging; they are simple to operate; and they are simple to disassemble and reassemble, making thorough cleaning and sanitizing especially easy. Viton O-rings, which are amazingly resistant to harsh chemicals, are used to achieve tight, elastic compression seals (see below). But that is not all. SimpleFlo Valves are also designed to rotate, so hoses can be attached even when a carboy is on the floor. And bottling stems plug directly into SimpleFlo Valves (see the How-To Tips tab at the left side of this page).
Conventional tank valves are not designed for home winemaking or brewing, let alone racking: 1) They typically seal against the outside walls of carboys and pails, leaving all the crevices associated with the threads and nuts on the inside of the container (see the Racking Adapters tab at the left side of this page); 2) They are likely to be difficult to attach and remove from a carboy; 3) They may also be difficult to disassemble for cleaning and sanitizing; 4) They may not be made of materials intended for winemaking and brewing; and 5) They cannot be adjusted for varialble sediment levels. Furthermore, some are not designed with elastic compression seals, so a thin film of wine or beer will communicate between the inside of a carboy and the valve outlet, even when the valve is in the closed positon. This situation is very likely to cause the wine or beer to become contaminated.
Conventional Tank Valves
may lack elastic compression seals, so a thin film of wine or beer may
communicate between the inside of the carboy and the external environment,
even when the valves are closed.
Additional Information – Use the popup menus associated with the Racking Adapter and SimpleFlo Valve tabs at the left side of this page for random access to all the specific information relating to the SimpleFlo Valve and BetterBottle Racking Adapters for carboys and pails. Use the How-To Tips tab at the left side of this page for information about how to use BetterBottle components.
Chemical Resistance of BetterBottle SimpleFlo Valves – In general, avoid very strong caustics, such as KOH and NaOH (lyes), and concentrated aliphatic ketones (e.g., essence oils). For additional materials specifications, please refer to the Technical tab at the top of this page.
 Super Stainless Pull-Ring & Clip – In 2005, BetterBottle began making the pull-rings and clips for SimpleFlo valves from an especially corrosion resistant stainless steel. To replace older pull rings and clips order a BB-VALVE(HF)-SERV service kit (see below) from your dealer.
|
|
Description
|
|
The BetterBottle SimpleFlo valve can be used in line with hoses or as an outlet for pails and BetterBottle carboys. The valve can be opened for partial or full flow and closed in the blink of an eye. Its wide, simple flow path resists clogging and it can be disassembled and reassembled for cleaning or inspection in a matter of seconds – without tools.
|
|
 |
 |
| In-line Use of SimpleFlo Valve |
Components & Assembly |
|
|
Note: SimpleFlo valves operate well under a wide range of conditions; however, they may develop leaks if they are subjected to temperatures in excess of 75° C (167° F).
|
| Operation |
|
|
The SimpleFlo valve is designed to lock in the closed or open position by moving the plunger as far as it can travel in the appropriate direction (see image below). A slight increase in resistance to the movement of the plunger near the limits of travel signals the transition from adjustable flow to a locked position. When a valve is being opened and closed repeatedly at short intervals, it is not necessary to move the plunger all the way to a locked position; however, it should be locked if it is to be left unattended.
|
|
 |
|
The input of the SimpleFlo valve is designed to push into 1/2" ID tubing or to mate in quick-disconnect fashion with BetterBottle Racking Carboy and Pail Adapters (see the Racking Adapter tab to the left of this page). The output side is designed to make connection with 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" ID tubing (see the Tubing (PET-Lined) tab to the left of this page) as well as 3/8" OD bottle filling tubes (see the How-To Tips tab to the left of this page). Hose clamps should not be necessary for low-pressure applications. If clamps are necessary, use plastic clamps. Metal screw clamps can apply uneven pressure to small-diameter tubing and distort the bodies of SimpleFlo valves.
Note: Never use pliers or other mechanical gripping devices to install or remove tubing.
|
|
A) 1/2" ID PET-lined tubing pushed over the output port. B) 3/8" ID PET-lined tubing coupled to 1/2" ID PET-lined tubing that is pushed over the output port. C) 3/8" ID PET-lined tubing coupled to the output port with 1/4" ID PET-lined tubing that is pushed into the output port. D) 1/4" ID PET-lined tubing pushed into the output port. E) Soft 1/4" ID X 3/8" OD tubing stiffened with a short length of rigid or semi-rigid tubing and pushed into the output port.
|
| Cleaning / Sanitizing |
|
The special PET from which BetterBottle SimpleFlo valves are made has a non-porous, hydrophobic surface, making it extremely easy to clean and sanitize. BetterBottle is not aware of any detergents and sanitizers, used in home winemaking and beer brewing, that damage SimpleFlo valves, when used according to their manufacturer's instructions. However, SimpleFlo valves may be damaged by temperatures exceeding 75° C (167° F). Read the Wash/Sanitize section, under the Technical tab at the top of this page, for important specifics. The PET is very tough and will not scratch easily, but take precautions not to scratch the precision, smooth, sealing surfaces. Always rinse SimpleFlo valves thoroughly in clean water before storing them.
Abrasive scouring pads and cleansers should never be required or used.
Soaking metal parts in cleaning or sanitizing solutions can cause corrosion – they should be removed.
Service – It should not be necessary to remove SimpleFlo valve O-rings for routine cleaning and sanitation. If an O-ring requires replacement, do not use sharp tools that might cut the O-ring or scratch the walls of the groove. Pinch a short segment of the O-ring into its groove with a finger nail and use the other hand to rub the rest of the O-ring around the groove and toward the pinch. The O-ring will stretch and bulge up so it can be rolled out of the groove. Use only BetterBottle O-rings for replacement; they are made of special materials that cannot be easily obtained through hardware suppliers and other materials may not function correctly.
If a SimpleFlo valve leaks at point #2, the SimpleFlo valve plunger is not sealing properly. To disassemble a SimpleFlo valve, rotate the wire ring through the hole in the end of the plunger shaft, pulling the end of the wire slightly to the side, so the ring unscrews out of the hole (see assembly photo under Description above). Then, push the plunger out the end of the valve body. Check the O-rings for cuts and the valve bore for scratches or debris by looking down the bore toward a source of light. If the O-rings and bore appear to be in good condition, check the O-ring grooves for scratches or debris. To reassemble the valve, push the plunger into the valve body and screw the wire ring back through the hole in the end of the plunger shaft by pulling the end of the wire slightly to the side.
 |
If a SimpleFlo valve / Racking Adapter assembly leaks at point #1, there are a number of possible causes: 1) The large O-ring on the SimpleFlo valve has been damaged or its groove is scratched or dirty, 2) The bore of the Adapter is scratched where it seals with the large O-ring on the SimpleFlo valve, or 3) The Racking Adapter is not sealing against the inner wall of the carboy or pail and liquid is creeping along the thread of the Racking Adapter to the first point where it can escape, which is at point #1. If the first and second causes can be ruled out, recheck the installation of the Racking Adapter (see the Racking Adapter tab to the left of this page for service advice).
To confirm that the valve seals of a SimpleFlo valve / Carboy Racking Adapter assembly are in good condition, use a hose to connect the stem of the Adapter to a faucet and apply water pressure. A pressure of between 1 and 2 bar (15 and 30 PSI) is recommended. Higher pressures may cause the valve to pop out of the Racking Adapter. Open the SimpleFlo valve to let the connecting hose fill with water and then close the valve, dry off the parts, and check for leaks.
If a pull-ring or clip shows signs of corrosion, order a set of repair parts (see Part Numbers below) and replace them. The pull-ring and clip are currently made of very corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
|
| Part Numbers |
|
SimpleFlo™ Valve – BB-VALVE(SF)
Replacement set of O-rings, retainer clip, and pull ring for SimpleFlo Valve – BB-VALVE(SF)-SERV
|
| Packaging |
|
Harmonized System Code – 3923.30.90.90 applies to these parts
BB-VALVE(SF) –
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper bag
Bags of 20 individual packages – 1.41 lbs (0.64 Kg)
|
|
