View Full Version : CO2 - Gage Pressure?
125gJoe
06-18-2003, 10:50 PM
It's my understanding that the regulated pressure on the gage should read around 15 to 20 psi. Mine is now up to 38 to 40 psi. I'm thinking the 'end of tank dump' I had may have damaged the gage - or is it just worn/bad gage? I can't get the pressure to drop, and would like it between 15 to 20..
I'm also having trouble regulating the bubble count with the needle valve.. :confused:
I wonder if this happened to my regulator?
>>"There is another reason to replace the CO2 cylinder when the pressure starts to drop. Catastrophic regulator failure described above frequently damages the regulator itself, often by making a hole in the diaphragm."<<
Skittyfish
06-19-2003, 8:14 AM
:eek: ......I keep my psi at about 3!!! Any higher and I can't keep my bubble count in check, it will steadily rise on its own.
I have about 2-3 bubbles per second. And at this psi, I haven't noticed a change in tank fullness since I opened this one up.
:rolleyes: Didn't help you any, did I!
125gJoe
06-19-2003, 2:26 PM
Originally posted by Skittyfish
:eek: ......I keep my psi at about 3!!!... I have 2 gages.. One is at 850psi or so (full main tank pressure), the other is at about 40psi (regulator). 15 to 20psi off the regulator, I thought is 'normal'.
I don't know of a gage that reads down to 3psi ? :confused:
Joe, it sounds like you may have damaged it. It should be capable of adjusting down to anywhere from 5lbs. and up.
I keep one of mine at 12 psi and the other at about 8 psi. It's definitely easier to adjust finer at the lower pressure and I watch closely to make sure the tank pressure doesn't get below 600lbs/psi.
Be careful with it until you can get another one. It may be unstable the way it is.
Len
125gJoe
06-20-2003, 4:26 AM
Len, I'm getting another... Can't chance it. It's not stable enough this way. Oh well. :(
Any ideas on 'brands' or are they all about the same in quality?
Maybe this ought to be a new topic..(?)
Are you sure it's not just a sprung guage? Does it read zero pressure if you take the regulator off the bottle? I sprung a guage recently and it read 20 at all times...even off the tank. A new guage cost me $5.
I use this one and am very happy with it:
http://rapidswholesale.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9T852
I think it's the same one that Skittyfish uses and she seems happy with hers. Tap Rite makes a pretty decent regulator.
Len
125gJoe
06-20-2003, 1:34 PM
Originally posted by gcvt
Are you sure it's not just a sprung guage?.... Thanks for the input.. I wish it was...!
125gJoe
06-20-2003, 1:39 PM
Len, how does the needle valve connect on it?
http://rapidswholesale.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/9T852.jpg
Doesn't look like comes with one..
The gage seems more easily read than the one I have now.
This is a 'Tap Rite' ?
Skittyfish
06-20-2003, 4:33 PM
Mine has a red hose and then a reducer to the green/blue air tubing and then to the needle valve. I had a hard time finding parts in my little town.
djlen
06-20-2003, 11:36 PM
Yes, it's a Tap Rite.
That little lever/hose barb on the bottom can either be used with a short piece of hose, then a reducer(which I will tell you how to get) which you attach a short piece of air line to and then an inline needle valve. That's the way I have mine set up because I like having that lever between my regulator and my needle valve.
Or, you can get the regulator as is, unscrew the lever/hose barb and screw in a male thread needle valve directly into the bottom of the reg. This way has the advantage of less connections, hence less chance for leakage.
When I bought my first reg. from them I bought a length of hose that goes onto that barb nice and tight. I cut about a 4" piece off the hose and attached it to the barb.
I went to Home Depot and bought two small brass fittings($4 total) to reduce the line from the 1/2" hose to a nipple that the standard air line goes onto. I attached a 1'' piece of air line to that and then the inline needle valve to that. It sounds more complicated than it really is. Very simple and I've experienced no leakage in my system at all.
The parts you need at Home Depot are:
Part # PB225/I.D# A-293
Part # PB966-P/I.D.# A16
They can be found in the small gas brass fittings section.
What kind of needle valve are you using? A screw in or in line?
Len
plantbrain
06-21-2003, 1:21 AM
I just remove the large typically 3/8" ball valve and replace it with a 3/8=> 1/8" brass bushing. Then screw the needle valve directly into the regulator housing. No leaks, no air line at higher pressure etc.
The clippard valves come with an 1/8" adaptor.
I keep my psi at 15. I suppose you could keep it lower but I keep it this high since I run 4 tanks on one system.
Regards,
Tom Barr
bobalston
06-22-2003, 11:33 AM
Agree with plantbrain, as that is the way I also have my clippard connected to my Tap-Rite regulator. However, I think the adaptor needed is an 1/4-inch NPT male to 1/8-inch NPT female. That connects to the 1/8-NPT male of the Clippard which comes with valves ordered from internet aquarium suppliers.
Bob