Bad co2 tank?? new to kegging.

[Redpappy]

about 2 weeks age I purchased my kegging system ( 3 kegs, hoses, picnic taps, 10lb co2 tank, a 2 way splitter ). I filled up my co2 tank, tested my lines, splitter, and 1 tank. All was good, did not notice any leak. I sprayed all my connecting spots with StarSan, no bubbles. So I turned the tank off, disconnected my keg, Depleted all pressure, then turned all my valves off.

I finally got to fill my keg this morning. Hooked up my co2 line, turned my tank on, and noticed my gauge is only showing half full. I sprayed (StarSan) the canister and all parts again, and no bubbles. I’m at a lost on what happened to all of my co2.

My set up:
Full size fridge, removed everything on the inside except the top rack.
2 kegs and co2 fits inside, so no modifications needed.
Fridge location is in the garage ( garage is not insulated) temps have been between 15f and higher.
Co2 has been inside the fridge, which was not plugged in till yesterday.

My system is as simple as possible, with the exception of the splitter(distributor).

Any suggestion on where my co2 ran off too?

 

[parjay]

What is the PSI for "half full?"

That high pressure gauge really only tells you when you are empty. The best way is to weigh your tank. The empty weight should be stamped on the bottle. Just subtract the measured weight from the stamped weight
and you will know how much gas you have left.

 

[Redpappy]

What is the PSI for "half full?"

That high pressure gauge really only tells you when you are empty. The best way is to weigh your tank. The empty weight should be stamped on the bottle. Just subtract the measured weight from the stamped weight
and you will know how much gas you have left.

Think I am loosing my marbles here.. earlier today it was showing under the 40, when first hooked up it was showing above the 80 bar line... is the gauge just food bar? I will have to inspect the tank more closely tomorrow for the dry weight.

 

[TennBrewer]

Just checking here, was the initial measurement at room temperature? Did you put the tank in the cooler then check it later. When you chill the tank, the indicated volume drops, the colder it gets, the lower it reads. Also, it is possible that the keg is leaking, check the o-rings for any damage. I have had mysterious leaks before and finally filled a large 50 gallon waste bucket with water and dunked the hoses to find the bubbles. You might want to dunk just the tank to see if it's leaking through the valve. There should be a nylon o-ring between the tank and the gauge, make sure it's ok and properly seated. Good luck.

 

[Redpappy]

Just checking here, was the initial measurement at room temperature? Did you put the tank in the cooler then check it later. When you chill the tank, the indicated volume drops, the colder it gets, the lower it reads. Also, it is possible that the keg is leaking, check the o-rings for any damage. I have had mysterious leaks before and finally filled a large 50 gallon waste bucket with water and dunked the hoses to find the bubbles. You might want to dunk just the tank to see if it's leaking through the valve. There should be a nylon o-ring between the tank and the gauge, make sure it's ok and properly seated. Good luck.

Well poopers....

I’ll start with that when I had the tank filled it was roughly 25f.... when I did my first run, it was in the 40sF. My fridge is reading around 36f, which is what the last reading( picture above)is from. Now, I did notice a regular o ring on the inside of my gauge side. Am I supposed to have a O ring as well as a nylon ring/fitting?

Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Cold tank reads lower pressure. That's your answer.

The tank will read an equilibrium pressure for that temp up until the point where all the liquid has turned to gas- ie tank is nearly empty.

Your gauge should hold steady there. When it starts to drop (and drops halfway from there) it doesn't mean half full tank, it means all but empty tank.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]Now, I did notice a regular o ring on the inside of my gauge side. Am I supposed to have a O ring as well as a nylon ring/fitting?[...]

The pic of the gauge indicates this is a Taprite regulator, and they come with a captive O-ring that should obviate the need for a plastic or fibre washer. It really depends on the condition of said O-ring, and presuming this is a new regulator it should be in its best condition...

Cheers!

 

[Redpappy]

The pic of the gauge indicates this is a Taprite regulator, and they come with a captive O-ring that should obviate the need for a plastic or fibre washer. It really depends on the condition of said O-ring, and presuming this is a new regulator it should be in its best condition...

Cheers!

Would you suggest that with temp changes that it would change the fullness of tank, and that I should be patient and wait till it says empty( in red) before I have any concern?

This is all a learning curve so I do appreciate all comments and suggestions on the matter.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Would you suggest that with temp changes that it would change the fullness of tank, and that I should be patient and wait till it says empty( in red) before I have any concern?

This is all a learning curve so I do appreciate all comments and suggestions on the matter.

Temp changes don't change the *fullness* of the tank. They change the *pressure* of the tank. The pressure is what is being read, not the fullness. The actuall mass of CO2 hasn't changed, and will last just as long either way. As I said, it won't tell you how close you are to empty until you're practically empty. As others have said, if you need to know what's left, weigh it.

Also I don't trust the Taprite "o-ring" or whatever. Seen too many fail. My dual gauge regulator is a Taprite and I've used a fiber washer on it since day one.

 

[camonick]

Would you suggest that with temp changes that it would change the fullness of tank, and that I should be patient and wait till it says empty( in red) before I have any concern?

The CO2 in your tank is a liquid. The “fullness” or weight of the contents don’t change with temperature. The gas you’re using is the vapor from the headspace as the liquid boils as it’s consumed. Think of it like a propane tank. The vapor pressure changes as the temperature changes. At room temperature (72°F) the vapor pressure will be about 860 psi. At 40°F it should have a vapor pressure of 600 psi which is about what your gauge shows. Barring no leaks, a 10# tank should last a very long time.
Qhrumphf beat me to it as I was typing.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw...

 

[Redpappy]

Thanks everyone. This helps out a lot