Co2 leak?

[wagon21]

I kegged my first batch in a 3 gallon keg on Sunday. Set the pressure to 11 psi for slow carb. I wanted it to carb enough for Saturday. So I tested last night and it was carbing but I bumped the psi up to 20 to speed up the process.

This morning I checked on it before leaving for work and the psi is still at 20 but the gas gauge dropped right above the red area. (Yesterday it was around 40). Do I have a leak? The co2 tank is in the fridge. I checked for leaks when I kegged on Sunday but didn't find any. This morning I tightened everything up again. Still at work but interested to see if it dropped anymore when I get home. Also the first three days the gas gauge was steady. Not sure if bumping up the psi affected the gas gauge?


Thanks!


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[zachattack]

It would appear that you have a leak.

The tank pressure is mostly a function of temperature until the tank is out of liquid (and close to empty).

At a cold fridge temp of 33 degrees, the CO2 pressure should be 511 psi. The fact that you're below that means you probably have a leak. Sorry!

Check everything with soapy water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_data#Vapor_pressure_of_solid_and_liquid

 

[wagon21]

I just got home and the gauge is back to where it was last night. Hmmm. I guess the moral of the story is to not rely on that gauge?



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[Paradingbull]

When you put a room temp CO2 tank in the fridge you will often see a dramatic change in the supply gauge for a few hours. This is normal. If it has stabilized you likely do not have a leak. Many say the supply gauge is not accurate until you get to the very end of tank, 50 psi or so.