10 replies to this topic

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Since I'll be picking up a second co2 tank I need to buy another regulator. Are the dual gauge regulators worth it? the second gauge doesn't seem to give you an idea of how much gas is left so what's the point? I'm thinking of buying a single so that it takes up less space in my kegerator. Thoughts?

[MyaCullen]

Since I'll be picking up a second co2 tank I need to buy another regulator. Are the dual gauge regulators worth it? the second gauge doesn't seem to give you an idea of how much gas is left so what's the point? I'm thinking of buying a single so that it takes up less space in my kegerator. Thoughts?

either way is fine, and the second high pressure gauge is useless with chilled co2 last time I checked

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

either way is fine, and the second high pressure gauge is useless with chilled co2 last time I checked

that was my impression as well. now that i'm looking I can get a dual one for less. weird...

[djinkc]

I like having the high pressure gauge. It at least gives you a little advance notice that you need to plan a refill. I suppose you could weigh the tank to keep track but I doubt I would do it.

[gnef]

the high pressure gauge really just helps me identify if my system has a leak. I turn off the gas overnight, and if the high pressure gauge drops, I know I have a leak somewhere, and I need to find it. It will take a long time to figure out if you have a leak or not with only the low pressure gauge.

[3rd party JKor]

Is there a second high pressure tap on the single regulator gauges? If there isn't, you wouldn't be able to add additional regulators later if you wanted to run multiple pressures off one tank.

[MyaCullen]

the high pressure gauge really just helps me identify if my system has a leak. I turn off the gas overnight, and if the high pressure gauge drops, I know I have a leak somewhere, and I need to find it. It will take a long time to figure out if you have a leak or not with only the low pressure gauge.

color me ignorant, but is this backwards?

[gnef]

I will try to explain the best I can.When you turn on the CO2 tank, the tank will pressurize the regulator, and the high pressure gauge will show you the pressure inside the CO2 tank. When you turn the valve off, the regulator still stays pressurized. The regulator 'takes' gas from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, and that is what we see on the low pressure gauge, and the output that goes to our kegs.To test for leaks, you need to pressurize the regulator by turning the tank on, and then turn the tank off at the valve.Now, if you have a leak, you will be draining the low pressure, but you won't see any movement there, at least at first. The reason for this, is that the high pressure still has more than enough pressure to keep the regulator's low side pressurized. At room temp, the high pressure side will usually be around 700-800 psi. So the low pressure will still show the 'regulated' pressure that you want, but the high pressure side will begin to decrease, as you are taking gas from the high pressure side to keep the regulated low pressure. This will keep going until eventually the high pressure side has the same pressure as the low pressure, and then the low pressure gauge will begin to drop to zero.This is why it is extremely difficult to tell if you have a leak with only a single gauge regulator. If you have a slow leak, it may take days before you see the low pressure size drop, or more for a slower leak. When you have the high pressure gauge, you can see overnight for a very slow leak, or within minutes/hours if you have a pretty big leak.

[MyaCullen]

I will try to explain the best I can.When you turn on the CO2 tank, the tank will pressurize the regulator, and the high pressure gauge will show you the pressure inside the CO2 tank. When you turn the valve off, the regulator still stays pressurized. The regulator 'takes' gas from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, and that is what we see on the low pressure gauge, and the output that goes to our kegs.To test for leaks, you need to pressurize the regulator by turning the tank on, and then turn the tank off at the valve.Now, if you have a leak, you will be draining the low pressure, but you won't see any movement there, at least at first. The reason for this, is that the high pressure still has more than enough pressure to keep the regulator's low side pressurized. At room temp, the high pressure side will usually be around 700-800 psi. So the low pressure will still show the 'regulated' pressure that you want, but the high pressure side will begin to decrease, as you are taking gas from the high pressure side to keep the regulated low pressure. This will keep going until eventually the high pressure side has the same pressure as the low pressure, and then the low pressure gauge will begin to drop to zero.This is why it is extremely difficult to tell if you have a leak with only a single gauge regulator. If you have a slow leak, it may take days before you see the low pressure size drop, or more for a slower leak. When you have the high pressure gauge, you can see overnight for a very slow leak, or within minutes/hours if you have a pretty big leak.

gotchathank you

[ChefLamont]

the high pressure gauge really just helps me identify if my system has a leak. I turn off the gas overnight, and if the high pressure gauge drops, I know I have a leak somewhere, and I need to find it. It will take a long time to figure out if you have a leak or not with only the low pressure gauge.

Meh. I just burned through about 80 pounds of CO2 before I found all my leaks.OK, maybe your way is better.

[chuck_d]

Meh. I just burned through about 80 pounds of CO2 before I found all my leaks.OK, maybe your way is better.

This stuff is great for identifying leaks. So much better than any soap solution or starsan. I had tested all my lines and connections before my friend's wedding, but in the transport some things got knocked around and I had a leak when setting up for the rehearsal dinner. I busted this out and had the leaks identified and fixed in about 5 minutes. Just bring paper towels to wipe the stuff off after...