Replacing the Gauge on a CO2 Regulator

It'll work just fine and, as you correctly surmised, it'll be easier to adjust. Better yet, get a 30 psi gauge. I replaced all mine a few years ago and never looked back. Of course, if you have the 60 on hand, then use that. Keep the 30 in mind the next time you need to replace a gauge (it happens from time to time).

 

You have a soda regulator.

Yes you can easily replace the high range gauge with a low range gauge. Just be aware that the regulator spring and dial is made to adjust high pressure. So even though the gauge will allow for fine tuning the dial is going to be super sensitive. The smallest adjustment will move the needle quite a bit.

But even still, you will have better control between 5 and 20 psi, and it is worth the effort.

Note to that a dual gauge regulator id nice but entirely unnecessary. The high pressure gauge is fairly useless. You aren't missing much to be honest.
Cheers

 

I concur with Bill. That TapRight in the second picture is a lower pressure design and will be much easier to adjust. Volume gauges are hugely overrated.

 

But... but... How will you know how much CO2 is left in the tank?

The high pressure gauge is not a volume gauge. It's a pressure gauge. It tells you exactly nothing about the amount of CO2 there is in the tank except whether or not there is at least a single drop in a liquid state. Once the pressure on the high pressure gauge starts to drop, you're literally running on fumes and you will not have enough gas for tonight's party.

That's a fundamental misunderstanding of many (most?) noobies, myself included (I'm much better now, thanks for asking!) A bathroom scale will tell you exactly how much you have, within the accuracy of the scale (a typical bathroom scale is not a precision instrument).

 

Is the Taprite gauge on a working reg? If yes just swap out the entire reg. You'll have a reg that's more suitable for beer pressure and a decent scale. The last reg I bought I didn't even fool around with a high pressure gauge, just inserted a plug.

BTW, most regulators you see in the US will have all female fitting of 1/4" npt . . . that means you can swap out anything (gauge, nipple, shutoff valve). Just be aware Taprite (and some others) makes their high pressure gauge with left hand threads (should be displayed on the face).