Dead CO2 tank gauge

[Guido]

I feel like such a dipshit that I didn't notice this before. I got a keg system several months ago and it's only now that I have realized that my gauge for the CO2 tank pressure level on the regulator does not work--and never did work. I was reading it backwards. I know the tank is full; I just filled it--but the gauge registers empty.

Since it's been so long, I really can't expect More Beer to exchange it. Are there any adjustments I could make or someplace I can send the gauge to.

[BarefootLion]

Is it at least accurately backwards?

Have a few, it'll make sense after that.

[Guido]

Is it at least accurately backwards?

Have a few, it'll make sense after that.

No, the needle is dead in the red, even when the tank is full!

[animaldoc]

The guys at MoreBeer are pretty cool - call them. You might be surprised.

They sent me a replacement refractometer after one of the little screws that hold the cover plate on did a dissapearing act -- 10 months after bought it.

[alanzo]

The gauge of the pressure coming form your C02 tank is kind of useless. I don't feel that it should even be on regulators. It will vary greatly depending on the tank's temperature alone. The best way to tell how you're tank's doing is to weigh it. Look for the tear-weight, it should be printed on the tank, and subtract that from the total weight of the tank. The average C02 tank holds 5 lbs and is about 4.85lbs over the tear-weight when full.

[animaldoc]

The gauge of the pressure coming form your C02 tank is kind of useless. I don't feel that it should even be on regulators. It will vary greatly depending on the tank's temperature alone. The best way to tell how you're tank's doing is to weigh it. Look for the tear-weight, it should be printed on the tank, and subtract that from the total weight of the tank. The average C02 tank holds 5 lbs and is about 4.85lbs over the tear-weight when full.

Hmmmmm ....... my average tank is bolted to the wall and holds 20lbs of CO2. I have zero desire to unmount it to weigh it.

Love the pressure gauge.
Tells me when I need to have it refilled.

[Kbar]

The gauge of the pressure coming form your C02 tank is kind of useless. I don't feel that it should even be on regulators. It will vary greatly depending on the tank's temperature alone. The best way to tell how you're tank's doing is to weigh it. Look for the tear-weight, it should be printed on the tank, and subtract that from the total weight of the tank. The average C02 tank holds 5 lbs and is about 4.85lbs over the tear-weight when full.

Hmmmmm ....... my average tank is bolted to the wall and holds 20lbs of CO2. I have zero desire to unmount it to weigh it.

Love the pressure gauge.
Tells me when I need to have it refilled.

+1 - indicator of the volume of gas - need it to tell me when it is time to refill, and if I have any leaks as it will drop faster than normal usage. Gauge feedback is a wonderful thing.......

[262andbrew]

What temp is the tank at?

When I hook up my freshly filled tank to my gauge it shows empty(because it is very cold)... and then when it warms up to 70 degrees and stabilizes it is about 40 psi (right on the low end of my green range)... and I carbonate and serve my beer (maybe 6-8 kegs depending on other purging) . BUT if it gets cold in the garage.. (right now it is 39 degrees) it is showing 25-30 psi... and tomorrow when it gets back to 70 it will show 40 psi.

Once it is getting near the end/empty, it will move from it's temp dependent psi level down to empty over the course of a couple days of serving. That is the time that I need to head across town and get it recharged.

If you want to try a little experiment and check that the gauge is actually faulty put the tank in a warm bucket of water and see if you get movement, if it moves up to 50 psi in an hour then you know it is working....the trick is to see when the gauge starts to move down, even if the temp is held high(er).

Just my experiences, I hope that they help.