Has anyone used liquid filled gauges on their regulators?

Discussion in 'Home Bar' started by mikehartigan, May 13, 2019.

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  1. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    I just made my annual replacement of the pressure gauge on my pool filter and decided to buy an oil filled gauge. They're supposed to be more accurate, more stable, longer lasting, and blah, blah, blah. We'll see. FWIW, they also look kinda sexy.

    Assuming they're all they're cracked up to be, I was wondering if these would make good replacements for the cheap gauges that I buy every couple of years for my regulators. No more tapping the face to get the needle to settle in, etc. They're only marginally more expensive (That's dollar-wise. Percentage-wise, $7 to $15 is more than double the price, but I'm not going to sweat that for what appears to a significant increase in quality and, if they really do last longer, they may well pay for themselves).

    Are they really better? And are they suitable for this purpose?
     
    #1 mikehartigan, May 13, 2019
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I have a couple. The biggest advantage is size, they are 2 1/2" in diameter with a little larger font. If you search hard you can find them with psi only (one of mine at least) which allows manufacturer to print even larger. But they are not completely liquid filled, rather a large bubble which sometimes leaves a "line" right where you want to read. On the second one below I rotated the entire reg so that the bubble is at six-o'clock. As far as accuracy they seem to be okay.

    These are about 20 bucks from Amazon and are a year+ old . . . there's a trace of corrosion on the stainless steel bezel. Some of my cheap Taprite gauges have lasted five years, some of them died in about 3 years. They do work, and are slightly better than what I replaced.

    As for sex appeal, initially I was all over myself about these beauties . . . but once the "new toy" shine wore off we rarely even talk these days . . .

    [​IMG]

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    #2 PortLargo, May 14, 2019
  3. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    We have one of them out there somewhere. I recall the client wanted a big dial. I believe they are filled with glycol. The liquid is supposed to help stabilize the needle. So if you need a pressure gauge on a piece of machinery that vibrates this would be the solution.

    Yes, they are built well. At least the one we bought. Yes, they do look marginally nicer than the POS $5 gauges typically used. No, I do not see any reason to use an oil filled gauge. Unless you are a draft nerd in which case there are plenty of reasons you need to have a few of these gauges Mike. That's just my opinion.

    @PortLargo needs to replace his 304 SS with 316. They've got to make em. Come on!

    Cheers.
     
    #3 billandsuz, May 14, 2019
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