I am looking to upgrade my 10 year old Co2 regulator with a double gauge one which will show the amount of co2 left in the cylinder. My question is who makes the most reliable well built regulators Tap-rite, micromatic etc? Thanks in advance
The only instrument that will show you how much CO2 is in the tank is a scale. A pressure gauge will only tell you that there is still liquid CO2 in the tank. Even a single drop will cause the gauge to read 700 psi, give or take - the same as a full tank. Once the gauge starts dropping, it means you're running on fumes (literally) and you won't have enough for tonight's party. That said, Micromatic seems to be one of the better brands.
Thanks this the type of response I am looking for. The one I have now which came with a Haier kegerator is leaking so I figured i may as well get one that shows cylinder capacity as well.
Glad I could help. But remember (as mikehartigan said), that the high pressure gauge only tells you if there is any CO2 left, not how much CO2 is left. The only thing that will make that needle move (other than being empty) is a change in temperature...i.e. its 'normal' reading is lower when it's colder and higher when it's warmer. That's why a lot of people have a spare CO2 tank. You never know when it's going to kick.
So would it makes sense to get a second co2 tank rather than even bothering with a dual gauge regulator?
If I had a working single gauge regulator (not leaking), I'd get a second tank before I would upgrade the regulator.
I already have a second tank so what I am gonna do is go with a new dual gauge(micromatic I think) and give my buddy my old one cheap to repair and use for his home fridge kegerator project.
+1. If it was a choice between the two, I'd definitely go with the second tank. I might go so far as to say that if the high pressure gauge added more than a few dollars to the price, I might have gotten a single gauge primary. As I said, when the high pressure gauge tells you you're out, it's likely already too late.
