Secondary CO2 gage issues

[Lufah]

Here is the new setup I did with a couple of used regulators I got.



Most of this is going to be covered by a big metal box. At least that is the plan for now.

Here is the problem. The larger gage on the left dosn't seem to work. No matter how far in or out I move the screw the needle on the gage won't move. It will move if I adjust the main regulator off the tank. I am getting CO2 out of the regulator, but who knows how much. I don't think I'm getting a good reading on the gage. I can't see how I'd have 18psi through that gage with the main regulator set to 12psi.

Any thoughts on what is wrong? Or am I a complete dumbass and it's something simple.

Travis

[seanhagerty]

Have you tried swapping the gages out to see if the problem is with the gauge or the regulator?

But, yes you are a complete dumbass

Sean

[Lufah]

Have you tried swapping the gages out to see if the problem is with the gauge or the regulator?

But, yes you are a complete dumbass

Sean

Nope. That thing was hell to put together. Taking it back apart is a last resort.

Travis

[seanhagerty]

I would bet your high pressure gauge, (the large one ) has failed. The only way to really tell is through investigation.

Do you have a spare gauge you could install in its place?

Failing that I can't think of anything else that would cause the readings.

Good Luck with it.

Sean

[DannyW]

I think you need to remove the high pressure gauge off the main regulator and run a high pressure line from the hole where you removed the gauge to the input of the scondary regulator.

the secondaries need high pressure input just like the main. The way you get high pressure bypass from the main to the secondary is through that port on the left side where the high pressure gauge was.

If you still want a high pressure gauge to tell you when your tank is getting low, then you can plug that high pressure gauge you took off the main regulator into the leftmost port on the secondary. There is probably a plug in it now.

The line you need is not a hardware store item, BTW, it needs to handle like 2000psi. Your friendly local beverage distributor might be able to fix you up, or a welding supply shop.

[Steve]

I think you need to remove the high pressure gauge off the main regulator and run a high pressure line from the hole where you removed the gauge to the input of the scondary regulator.

the secondaries need high pressure input just like the main. The way you get high pressure bypass from the main to the secondary is through that port on the left side where the high pressure gauge was.

If you still want a high pressure gauge to tell you when your tank is getting low, then you can plug that high pressure gauge you took off the main regulator into the leftmost port on the secondary. There is probably a plug in it now.

The line you need is not a hardware store item, BTW, it needs to handle like 2000psi. Your friendly local beverage distributor might be able to fix you up, or a welding supply shop.

Yep, he's right about that Travis. The way I see it it appears that you had it set up correctly but in oder to locate the real problem you HAVE to troubleshoot every link in the chain so to speak. One way is to move the gages around and see if the problem stays with the guage in question. Another way is to yes, disassemble and isolate exactly where the problem is. That shouldn't be that tough though, we not talking about taking the regulator itself apart just the assembly of one to the other and the guages as well. Good luck, let us know how you do!
Steve

[Steve]

Here is the new setup I did with a couple of used regulators I got.



Most of this is going to be covered by a big metal box. At least that is the plan for now.

Here is the problem. The larger gage on the left dosn't seem to work. No matter how far in or out I move the screw the needle on the gage won't move. It will move if I adjust the main regulator off the tank. I am getting CO2 out of the regulator, but who knows how much. I don't think I'm getting a good reading on the gage. I can't see how I'd have 18psi through that gage with the main regulator set to 12psi.

Any thoughts on what is wrong? Or am I a complete dumbass and it's something simple.

Travis

Actually, allow me to amend my last post, upon closer examination of your pictures it appears as if you have set it up incorrectly! The correct way is to feed main pressure in on the right hand port, link the second regulator to the left hand port, install your guages on those top ports, the two lower ports will feed your kegs. This should clear up the problem. I think you had the second regulator set up to get it's main pressure from the low pressure port of the first regulator, THAT will give you the problem you described. I have mine set up in the manner I just described and it works great. You may need to get a flexible hose to link your now dual regulator setup to you C02 tank. Hope this helps!


Steve

[Lufah]

Ya the more I think about this the more I think I had a case of the dumbass. I think I will end up taking the regulators off and moving them inline with the regulator on the tank. Then just running my tubing through the bulkhead fittings.

Thanks for the help.

Travis