Gas flow detector?

[spittybug]

I'm looking for a quick way to detect any flow of CO2. I have a keezer with 8-9 kegs either on tap or carbonating at any given time. That's a lot of o-rings, connections and what not that can leak. I'm looking to put an inline, quick and simple flow meter to see if gas is flowing to tell me if I need to do any soapy water investigations. Something like a clear tube with a hollow plastic ball that would float on a gas flow, like you see in some hospital equipment. I've tried searching for such online and can't find any. Has anyone made one or bought one somewhere that I haven't found? Thanks.

 

[ClaudiusB]

I'm looking for a quick way to detect any flow of CO2. I have a keezer with 8-9 kegs either on tap or carbonating at any given time. That's a lot of o-rings, connections and what not that can leak. I'm looking to put an inline, quick and simple flow meter to see if gas is flowing to tell me if I need to do any soapy water investigations. Something like a clear tube with a hollow plastic ball that would float on a gas flow, like you see in some hospital equipment. I've tried searching for such online and can't find any. Has anyone made one or bought one somewhere that I haven't found? Thanks.

Search for roto meters
Sample roto meters

 

[day_trippr]

A rotometer presumes a rather large flow given the context.
In this case, the OP is looking to detect very tiny flow rates.
Like, verging on zero.

Even a floating ball would be too crude, imo. I have such as part of my wort oxygenation gear and that is measuring gas flow in the tenths of liters per minute and higher up to 5 lpm.

I would look into "bubble counters"...

Cheers!

 

[Serverator]

what about this item? it looks purpose built for this issue. they also make them in a single.

https://www.wholesalebeerparts.com/...umps/double-in-line-beer-system-leak-detector

 

[spittybug]

what about this item? it looks purpose built for this issue. they also make them in a single.

https://www.wholesalebeerparts.com/...umps/double-in-line-beer-system-leak-detector

Good find. For $130 however, they are crazy! I bought a little plastic aquarium bubble detector thingy for $5 that does the trick!! Thanks anyway.

 

[marc1]

@bracconiere keeps his tank on a scale to detect any excessive loss

 

[bracconiere]

that i do! works great. i can catch a leak after just an ounce.

i'd say i could catch a leak after 3 grams, but the sun's gravity and all......lol

here's the scale.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYA0RC2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Serverator]

Good find. For $130 however, they are crazy! I bought a little plastic aquarium bubble detector thingy for $5 that does the trick!! Thanks anyway.

You're welcome. I think that was the best price I found for that Item, but yeah, for what it is that is a bit steep. Now I'm curious about your aquarium bubbler.

As to the scale, I've been looking for something similar but for my kegs not my cylinders.

 

[bracconiere]

As to the scale, I've been looking for something similar but for my kegs not my cylinders.

someone using them to tell how full their kegs were is who gave me the idea for my co2 tank! (full circle! )

 

[spittybug]

Simple way to see if gas is flowing when it shouldn't be...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P74J3PL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_xIt9FbVHHPNM2

 

[Serverator]

So basically just an airlock. How regularly do you clean it? any issues with high gas flow, such as sealing a keg or feeding off to a mixer??

 

[spittybug]

So basically just an airlock. How regularly do you clean it? any issues with high gas flow, such as sealing a keg or feeding off to a mixer??

I don't leave it permanently in line. I periodically disconnect a hose from the regulator and put this guy in line for a little while to check. I've thought about a couple of valves to 'shunt' the gas line through this, but concluded it wasn't worth the effort. Change a keg, test....