Loosing CO2?

[Beer-lord]

I'm a keg newbie and have a dual gauge regulator that I have made sure has pipe tape on all possible areas. I've checked for leaks with gas on and off and there is absolutely no sign of leaks. Also, can't hear anything (thought I wouldn't expect to in small leaks).
But, after I put the tank in the kegerator and it sat there with only 1 mini keg attached (2.5 gallon) on 10 psi, the gauge is showing it lost about 25%. So, being ignorant, would sitting at 38 degrees for a few days affect how much gas is showing on the gauge?

 

[sjanz]

If you have already tried checking for leaks using the soapy water trick, you may have a bad gauge. Do you have a lot of head space in your keg?

 

[hoppymonkey]

was the first reading at room temp and the second at kegerator temp? Then the temperature difference is your answer. You didn't lose anything.

 

[Beer-lord]

If you have already tried checking for leaks using the soapy water trick, you may have a bad gauge. Do you have a lot of head space in your keg?

No, not more a few inches.

was the first reading at room temp and the second at kegerator temp? Then the temperature difference is your answer. You didn't lose anything.

Room temp reading then a few days in the kegerator.
Thanks, I sucked at science but was good at history!

 

[Yooper]

I've said this many times before, but the best way to deal with the "pressure gauge" (not the regulator that controls the c02 going to the kegs) is to cover it with duct tape if you can't take it off.

It's not totally and completely worthless, but just about. It's NOT an indicator of how much gas is left in the tank at all. What happens is, c02 is a liquid that is dispensed at as a gas. At a warm temperature, the gauge may say "750 psi". If you stick the tank in the fridge, it'll be in the red and the "order more gas" range, even if it's totally full! Then, it'll stay at 400 or 500 psi until the tank is completely empty and go to 0 in an hour.

So, I think the 'problem' with your regulator is just that I bet it's in the fridge.

The only way to really know how much gas is in your tank is to weigh it. Co2 is sold by weight. The tare weight of the tank is stamped on the outside, and if you take off the regulator and weigh the tank, you'll know how many pounds of c02 you have. That's a pain, and I never do it, but that's really the way to know. I just have an extra 5 pound tank that I hook up when I run out of gas, until I get my big one filled.