Regulator leakage...what is normal?

[donchiquon]

I've just got back from a weeks camping and found that all my gauges were at zero! I had four cornys connected up, and had turned off the main tap on the CO2 cylinder in case of leaks.

All four kegs had been on gas for over 10 days, and the kegerator was sitting at a constant 11.5 degrees.

None of the lids seemed loose so I have gassed up again and purged a couple of times....fingers crossed.

What is a normal (if any!) leakage rate once the gas is turned off? (assuming constant temp and pre-gassed beers). Thanks!

[Stanna]

It's because we left the eu

[donchiquon]

It's because we left the eu

You mean Gasxit?

[donchiquon]

I'm thinking in retrospect that maybe I should just unhook all the kegs from the gas when I'm away for more than a few days. Then if I get a leak I only risk spooling a single keg.

Is this what other folk are doing or should I be hunting for a leak?

As far as the four kegs that got down to zero pressure, hopefully the gentle release of CO2 from the kegs will have prevented oxygen getting in.

[orlando]

What is a normal (if any!) leakage rate once the gas is turned off? (assuming constant temp and pre-gassed beers). Thanks!

Well it should be none but some cornies are notorious for not sealing properly and that can cause problems but I would think turning the bottle off before going away is a simple precaution. How long had you had the bottle, my gauge always looks good then disappears fairly rapidly when near the end?

[donchiquon]

Well it should be none but some cornies are notorious for not sealing properly and that can cause problems but I would think turning the bottle off before going away is a simple precaution. How long had you had the bottle, my gauge always looks good then disappears fairly rapidly when near the end?

The tank is only a few weeks old and has been holding 50 bar since day 1 (see far LH gauge).

This gauge starts to drop within an hour of the tap being turned off (see pic below taken about an hour after turning off tap).

Once this gauge has dropped, the far right hand gauge (the carbonation one) then starts to drop. The two middles gauges are the last ones to go - these are the ones connected to the kegs.

I'm not sure whether the regulator has a non-return valve between the keg gauges and the cylinder gauge. In this case I guess it means that my kegs are fine, but that there is a leak somewhere between the cylinder and the carbonation gauge.

Confused, to say the least!!!!

[Dave S]

I suspect it could be a leaky tap - one of the three intermediates. I had a similar issue with my gas management board. You could isolate the offender by plugging the three outputs in turn to see if the leak stops.

[donchiquon]

I suspect it could be a leaky tap - one of the three intermediates. I had a similar issue with my gas management board. You could isolate the offender by plugging the three outputs in turn to see if the leak stops.

Thanks Dave - do you mean one of the pressure adjustment screws below the gauges, or do you mean one of the beer faucets on the kegerator?

[orlando]

CO2 detector might help you.

[Dave S]

I suspect it could be a leaky tap - one of the three intermediates. I had a similar issue with my gas management board. You could isolate the offender by plugging the three outputs in turn to see if the leak stops.

Thanks Dave - do you mean one of the pressure adjustment screws below the gauges, or do you mean one of the beer faucets on the kegerator?

The pressure adjustment screw(s) The JG end stops are about 75p each if you need to buy some. Just disconnect the lines one at a time and replace with a plug.

[Dave S]

CO2 detector might help you.

They're CO detectors, Ashley

[donchiquon]

CO2 detector might help you.

They're CO detectors, Ashley

Darn - so nearly an excuse to buy more kit LOL

I'll start investigating tonight. Will probably pressure up and submerse each of the connected grey discos in a jug of Starsan to see if I can see any obvious bubbles.

If no joy then I'll disconnect the lines and plug each of the regs and just leave the cylinder connected and turned off to see whether the leak is there.

Assuming that my leak-quest fails do you all reckon I'm best off leaving all of the kegs completely disconnected?

[orlando]

CO2 detector might help you.

They're CO detectors, Ashley

Bugger a missing 2, thought they were cheap, still useful though. For your very rich brewer. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Handheld-Carb ... SwSWJXRF0p

[orlando]

CO2 detector might help you.

They're CO detectors, Ashley

Darn - so nearly an excuse to buy more kit LOL

I'll start investigating tonight. Will probably pressure up and submerse each of the connected grey discos in a jug of Starsan to see if I can see any obvious bubbles.

If no joy then I'll disconnect the lines and plug each of the regs and just leave the cylinder connected and turned off to see whether the leak is there.

Assuming that my leak-quest fails do you all reckon I'm best off leaving all of the kegs completely disconnected?

I once noticed that a JG fitting that connects to the disco wasn't tight enough so I would check that too. Until you nail it down yes I would leave them all disconnected.

[Dave S]

CO2 detector might help you.

They're CO detectors, Ashley

Bugger a missing 2, thought they were cheap, still useful though. For your very rich brewer. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Handheld-Carb ... SwSWJXRF0p

I think I'll make do with the visual inspection - i.e. is there a head on it?