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meter problem

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:34 am
by jon_89
Ok so I just built a meter using a inline regulator from home depot. My setup is propane goes through the reg into the meter. But it doesnt seem to regulate the pressure any. Is this a bad new part or did I do something wrong? Thanks in advance

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:06 am
by starman
Are you sure you got the input and output correct? Also, you do know you have to have a closed, sealed chamber (meter pipe in this case) on the output side for the regulator to work right? The regulator will allow full flow until pressure starts to build up on output side. If it sees no pressure build up, it will allow full flow until the cows come home.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:11 am
by jon_89
Yes the arrow is pointing towards the meter. I have a ball valve right after the reg and at the output end of the meter.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:56 am
by starman
Not sure what else to tell you....I use these

Image

...fairly regularly and find them not perfect, but satisfactory for most air pressure spudgunning and metering applications.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:21 pm
by psycix
Can you post a pic of your regulator?
Maybe its one of those regulators that always regulates to nearly atmospheric pressure. (+30 millibar)

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:40 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Meter problem? Use feet! :D

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:47 pm
by ALIHISGREAT
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Meter problem? Use feet! :D
jsr, you should really change your title from 'space monkey' to...

'comedy genius' :D

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:51 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
ALIHISGREAT wrote:jsr, you should really change your title from 'space monkey' to...

'comedy genius' :D
Or rather, "living paradox", considering that I normally campaign so vehemently against feet in general :roll: :D

*ahem* sorry for the hijack

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:42 pm
by Moonbogg
I was just thinking the same thign about mine. It seems no matter what the regulator lets the full PSI of the propane tank into the pipe meter. The little brass knob thingy doesn't seem to be much more than an on and off switch for the regulator.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:47 pm
by jmeyer1022
A simple way to find out if your regulator is working is get a ball valve on the other side

so on the regulator you have connected to your propane tank another side your PSI gauge then other side 1/4" nipple into a 1/4" ball valve, make sure it is closed. If you have nothing the regulator won't do a thing. If you don't have a ball valve laying around get another PSI gauge, I've put 2 gauges going off my regulator and it worked, Mainly just need something to restrict flow

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 7:18 pm
by Moonbogg
I have my gun built. I dry fired it a couple times, but the only way to regulate how much PSI goes into the meter pipe is by turning off the propane tank itself, because the regulator is crap, or I doin't know how to use it, or both.
The regulator has a little brass knurled knob that you turn to supposedly regulate the PSI, but even while turning it ever so slightly, it suddenly just dumps all the pressure to the other side without any sign of regulating it. I duno, maybe its a cheap regulator. It looks just like the one on that guy's propane system on the burntlake website.
http://www.burntlatke.com/jpg600/lp-overall.jpg

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:43 pm
by starman
Moonbogg wrote:The regulator has a little brass knurled knob that you turn to supposedly regulate the PSI,
Yeah I haven't had any luck at all with the little brass regulators either...I thought it was just me. The black one I show above does work. There are some cheap ones at Harbor Freight I'm planning to try out as well.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:29 pm
by Moonbogg
starman wrote:
Moonbogg wrote:The regulator has a little brass knurled knob that you turn to supposedly regulate the PSI,
Yeah I haven't had any luck at all with the little brass regulators either...quote]

OK great. At least I can sort of conclude that they are cheap and just don't work that well. I think i'll try another as well. I saw one at Lowes tonight but it had straight pipe threads and it was only 15 bucks. I didn't want another crappy one so i'll keep looking.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:44 pm
by Ragnarok
Stating the obvious, you are sure it's a pressure regulator, not a flow regulator right?
Because a flow reg won't be any use for this.
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Meter problem? Use feet!
That would be metRE, ignore these Americans who don't know how to spell properly. ;)

I mean, they think colourise has no U in it, and should have a Z in there. You would trust people who would spell like that? :tongue3:

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:21 pm
by jitup
Hey us Americans spell Jus fin it aint no englis we speak only AMERICAN.
:P but on the serious side I had trouble with a similar meter (brass) I agree with starmans choice.