Co2 Dropping Again

[lowee]

I just got my co2 cylinder back on friday, and have been running it since on a solenoid. But i check this morning and it is already showing just 30bar. It was 50 when i got it refilled. I also did a leak test and couldnt find anything! Anyone know why this is happening? (its a 500g aquamas cylinder)

 

[lowee]

I forgot to add, im also running about 1bps.

 

[Underwurlde]

Can only be leaking somewhere else then.... Bloody weird mate!

What, did you submerse the whole thing in water to check, pipes, valves, tubes, bubble counters, tubes, and more tubes, all hooked up and RUNNING, valves open as normal? EVERYTHING listed there underwater?

Andy

 

[lowee]

Well my local air products actually filled the cylinder, they said they leak checked it and tightened everything as much as they could. To make sure when i got home i used a washing up/water solution, found a few very small leaks around the needlve valve, tightened them up and the leaks stopped. I didnt find any other leaks! Also, every morning i have to drain my diffuser of some water every morning (its a spiral diffuser), it seems to fill up with water when ever the CO2 isnt running. Any idea on this one?

 

[Underwurlde]

Pop the pipes, valve, tubes, blah blah blah, underwater. Just like checking for a puncture in your bike. Obviously ensure the setup is RUNNING as normal (not turned OFF). Oh & then try it with the system OFF and see if ANY CO2 comes out of ANYWHERE (and that INCLUDES the end of the tubes..)

No experience with spiral diffusers, sorry.

 

[lowee]

Well, i just dropped it in some water. There are no leak when i just let the cylinder stay in the water, but when i knock it some bubbles come out. They come from the gauges, the bit that holds the plastic to the metal. Its not something that can be tightened, so what should be done?

 

[Underwurlde]

That's probably just trapped air as a result of being quickly immersed. (Good idea then to dismiss these nuisance bubbles first by tapping perhaps).

You are looking for a steady stream of bubbles. By stream, I could even mean 1 bubble every 1/2 minute or so - of that order. Enough to drain your tank over a long period of time. Like a slow puncture. Take your time, leaks of this nature will be diffifult to spot.... Don't just concentrate on the cylinder - look at all joints / tubes / valves/ everything.

GL

Andy

 

[lowee]

Well, just left it under for a good couple of minutes and i found one! A very small, slow leak coming from the needle valvae. My arms now ache from the amount of tightening that took place, but it looks like thats gone. But even with that, is that really enough to drain the cylinder in a matter of days? Thanks for the help btw Andy.

Also can anyone shed any light on my diffuser problem?

Tom

 

[Underwurlde]

Woot!

Yes that will be enough as it is a small cylinder. Like I said, slow puncture scenario.

Andy