Regulator madness

[blankenship]

My CO2 regulator is doing somethin' funky...
The pressure is taking a LONG time to build up...it won't stay constant.

I've got a single gauge, and when I crack the 1/4" toggle valve open, the pressure on the gauge drops immediately even when the hose is capped and there's no flow.

When I close the toggle, the pressure starts to rise much more quickly, but still not instantaneously.
If I release pressure from the hose, the pressure takes a VERY LONG time to build back up.

What the heck's goin' on here?
Ideas would sure be appreciated!

 

[Seven]

If you have a single gauge only is it possible that your C02 tank is empty?

 

[Homercidal]

First, it's entirely possible that your regulator is defective.

But make sure the adjustment is proper. With the valve closed, (not the tank valve, the regulator output) try cranking up the pressure a bit. See how it acts.

Also, try taking the regulator off and see if the CO2 comes out in a rush when you CRACK OPEN the tank valve.

 

[Catt22]

Most likely the tank is very close to empty. You could weigh the tank to determine how much CO2 remains if you know the tare weight.

 

[matpat]

It may sound simple but is the valve on the CO2 tank itself open completely?

 

[blankenship]

Something really wacky is going on.
The valve from the CO2 tank is on completely and the CO2 tank is full. When you take the regulator off and crack the tank valve, it's a serious rush.

One crazy thing: With the 1/4" toggle valve open (at the hose), if I set the pressure, it will stay there. If I then CLOSE the toggle valve, the pressure on the gauge slowly starts rising, rising, rising from that point until it's at like TWICE the psi!

What gives?

 

[Seven]

How old is your regulator? As mentioned before it could be a bad pressure gauge or a defective regulator. Maybe test with another regulator to see if this works any better.

You may need to get your regulator repaired or replaced.

 

[blankenship]

But I'm on this site because I want to be the one to repair...

 

[Catt22]

My money is still on the tank being nearly empty. They behave strangely sometimes when almost empty. How certain are you that the tank is full or nearly so?

You could try taking the regulator apart for an inspection to see if beer backed up into it or something. Sometimes you can simply wash them out, clean them up, lube the diaphram with some food grade silicone spray, re-assemble and you are off to the races once again. I've done that more than a few times with success.