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Chudnow regulator question

Discussion in 'Equipment/Sanitation' started by copper2hopper, Apr 14, 2015.

 

  1. #1
    copper2hopper

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 14, 2015
    View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1428972624.105490.jpg
    From day one of connecting my chudnow regulator from keg connection.com to my 5lb co2 tank it has had this pictured reading where it is and has been staying at the 500psi level. It does feel much lighter in weight since day one and I have gone through about 5 corny kegs worth of beer doing all the normal usages with the tank (purging/cleaning lines...etc). Is that reading (constantly hovering just above the "order new gas" red area) normal? And when should I be concerned about taking the tank in for exchange....like at what psi?
     
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  2. #2
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Apr 14, 2015
    What's the temperature of the tank?

    With minor secondary effects, CO2 vapor pressure will track temperature as shown below. If your cylinder is sitting in a fridge at 30°F the tank pressure will read around 500psi 'til the % fill level is in the single digits.

    [​IMG]

    Otoh, if ambient is significantly warmer and the cylinder isn't nearing empty, your gauge is out of calibration...

    Cheers!
     
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  3. #3
    doug293cz

    BIABer, Beer Math Nerd, ePanel Designer, Pilot Staff Member  

    Posted Apr 14, 2015
    That is absolutely normal, and the way the physics of gas/liquid equilibria say it must be. When the vapor and liquid of a substance are in equilibrium in the same container (the situation in a CO2 cylinder as long as there is still liquid) the pressure is determined only by the temperature, and nothing else. Warm the CO2 tank up, and the pressure goes up. Cool the CO2 tank down, and the pressure goes down. The only way to tell how much CO2 is in the tank is to weigh it.

    Brew on :mug:
     
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  4. #4
    copper2hopper

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 14, 2015
    thanks fellas! My tank temp is stuck in the fridge with my kegs at about 34 degrees so based on the graph thats perfect. So when that needle starts to decrease into the red then I guess I really should start thinking about doing the exchange at my LHBS? Is there a specific psi that I should do that at like say for example when it gets to below 100psi reading? Also, how many five gallon corny's should I get through out of a 5lb tank?
     
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  5. #5
    doug293cz

    BIABer, Beer Math Nerd, ePanel Designer, Pilot Staff Member  

    Posted Apr 14, 2015
    When the needle starts to drop, you are around 10% - 15% of capacity @ 34°F. Or, 0.5 - 0.75 lbs of CO2. Look at your usage pattern for CO2: how many kegs, how much venting, how much pushing fluids around with gas, etc. You will be able to do about 10% more of that before you run out.

    Brew on :mug:
     
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