I have an 88 cu ft Carleton tank with a Winters PFQ 6000 psi gauge on it. The glycerin in the gauge has developed a ton of small bubbles, making it hard to read. The bubbles don’t seem to want to settle. Should I just replace the glycerin? Alternatively, if I wanted to replace the gauge with a better one - like a Winters PFP series - do I have to empty the tank? The tank is currently completely full and I would have assumed that the gauge can be removed with air in the tank but given it’s HPA maybe it’s recommended to replace the gauge only on an empty tank. Thanks for any assistance.
CF Tank Gauge Issue
- Thread starter LB1444
- Start date
If the gauge displays the actual tank pressure all the time then it sits directly in the tank and the tank needs to be empty for a switch.
If on the other hand it only displays pressure when you fill then it can be switched with pressure in the tank.
It does not need glycerine to work for your purpose!
It is there to soften shockwaves primarily from compressors that constantly gives off small pufs of air and that puts strain on the innards of the manometer.
If on the other hand it only displays pressure when you fill then it can be switched with pressure in the tank.
It does not need glycerine to work for your purpose!
It is there to soften shockwaves primarily from compressors that constantly gives off small pufs of air and that puts strain on the innards of the manometer.
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If the gauge shows the CURRENT pressure in the tank, then it is exposed to the compressed air that can send that gauge through your head and into the ceiling.
IF...IF...the gauge shows zero, but you know the tank is full/partially full, then the gauge is most likely not directly in contact with the compressed air in the tank, but reflects what pressure is in the fill hose as it fills your tank. This gauge can be removed...carefully, trust no one, loosen it slowly...listen for a "hissss". If it makes air release noise as you slowly unscrew it, then for safety sake empty the tank before going further
A refill is way cheaper than replacing your face!
Stay safe...
Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot
IF...IF...the gauge shows zero, but you know the tank is full/partially full, then the gauge is most likely not directly in contact with the compressed air in the tank, but reflects what pressure is in the fill hose as it fills your tank. This gauge can be removed...carefully, trust no one, loosen it slowly...listen for a "hissss". If it makes air release noise as you slowly unscrew it, then for safety sake empty the tank before going further
A refill is way cheaper than replacing your face!
Stay safe...
Kindly 'Ol Uncle Hoot
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Thank you both. Should’ve clarified that on all my CF tanks I have gauges that only read pressure when the tank valve is open and there is a dead end plug on the outflow or an air cylinder is connected that is being filled. When the tank valve is closed, they show no pressure. The small paint ball tanks generally work the opposite - they show tank pressure at all times. I just assumed all large CF tanks worked the way mine do - no tank pressure on the gauge when the valve is closed.
As to the purpose of glycerin, yes, I am aware that it is for dampening purposes only. I think I will start with just replacing the glycerin. I’m not sure what would have caused it to bubble so much unless there is one weird leak within the gauge itself.
As to the purpose of glycerin, yes, I am aware that it is for dampening purposes only. I think I will start with just replacing the glycerin. I’m not sure what would have caused it to bubble so much unless there is one weird leak within the gauge itself.
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Update - replaced the glycerin and the gauge is still a mess. So I pulled it off no problem. It’s a 1/8 npt fitting btw.
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I've now had two winters gauges from Amazon go bad and leak all over the place, the inner seal goes bad and the area under the glass becomes pressurized causing the glass to flex and leak. The valves as far as I'm concerned after two bad ones are total trash. I would replace it with a better brand of valve with a better track record. I've waisted to much money on them already.
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Thanks Tracker. I think you are right. Some kind of leak internally that causes small air bubbles in the glycerin. I’m replacing with a different manufacturer.
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