Manometers

Chris V

What type of manometer is best to use for checking Natural gas pressure.

Kevinj

gas

What are we working on ??????????? I use a 10" dial guage most of the time but use a liquid manometer when I need to be accurate. I also work with gas up to 35 PSI so I ues an assortment of devices.

Glenn Harrison

Dwyer 1227 kit.

I would have to say that the one of the best is the dwyer 1227 dual scale manometer. It will read up to 16" wc on the high scale and 2.6" water column in .02" increments on the inclined scale. It will read positive and negative pressure just by switching the hoses around. Great for Natural, propane, manifold and differential pressures. Can even be used for diagnosing pressure switches on induced draft equipment. And for $51.50 you can't go wrong. Just make sure you always plug the ports and keep it vertical, unless you like cleaning up red dye all the tyme.

check it out at http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/pressure/qsseries1227.cfm

Jack_23

Get a simple U tube

but make sure it can accept two hoses so you can read differential pressure. More and more equipment requires it. Years ago (before they were readily available)I bought an electronic differntial manometer. It cost me $800 bucks. Pretty cool piece, BUT I hadn't used one before and I started comparing it to my u-tube. Lacking confidence in it I returned it to the manuf who returned it. Just for the info I called and asked what they used to calibrate my digital. The guys said,"A $15 U-tube manometer". I wonder where that digital is?

rob

just a question..

does the fluid freeze? What do you think of magnehelic guages? I thought I heard nat gas not good for the innards. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

tim smith_2

manometers

I have a digital Dwyer manometer that has a very good accuracy for differential readings on pressure switches. Also just bought the new Testo digital manometer with + and - ports, again resolution at up to 5" wc is .01, this is whats needed to set a lot of the new induced draft commercial boilers.

Mike Murray

I use a RobertShaw 3-1/2" dial guage for portability and ease of use. I replace it every 5 yrs or so. Good to 15"wc If I want more precision I use my Dwyer U-tube either straightup or inclined for pressure switches, etc. (I also use it to check my dial guage with from time to time).
The red dye doesn't freeze (I think it's hyd oil or something) but it does make a mess if it leaks out. lol
I also have a graduated cylinder type manometer that uses water and is handy to keep behind the seat in my truck. I forget where I got it from... I think a supplier gave it to me as a promotional thing.

Dale

Manometers

We have a Dwyer red oil hanging on the shop wall, everything is checked against that. We use the Richie 0to 28 inch gauge kit and 0 to 15 inch Dwyer magnahelics for standard pressure and 0 to 3psi for 2 pound gas. The trick is to compare all the gauges at least yearly against the oil filled u tube, we use oil because the green dyed water filled kept evaporating even with the top ports closed.

Wes

Manometers

For the last 10 years or so I have used a magnehelic gauge from 0"w.c. to 14" w.c. I check it every so often with a u-tube and calibrate it if necessary. The beauty of a magnehelic gauge is that it can be calibrated.

bob_25

The cheap

solution is an empty beer can and a hunk of 1/4" tubing. Mark the tubing every 1/4" or so depending on how accurate you want to be. Take the top off the can and fill it with water. Stick the tube in to the bottom and hook it up to the gas. Slowly pull the tube up, when you see a bubble look at the dimension on the side of the tube at the surface of the water thats the pressure in inches of water. Dead nuts accurate. When you're finished throw it away, it never wears out and never freezes in your truck. Next job you get another beer and if you work with higher pressures you have to get a taller can whoopee. bob

bob young

the beer can method seems the way to go. especially if you got animals working for ya that break and destroy everything.

HP80

Testo

Try the 505P2 it is good for +- 52 w.c. which lends its self to quite alot of applications frm natural/propane to pressure switches.

Steve Miller

I agree with Glenn

I like the Dwyer 1227 and no, the red fluid doesn't freeze. The only thing I'd change is the flimsy plastic case. I also wrap black tape around the ends to hold the red plug thingy on so ya don't lose it and I store it laying down with the plugged ends pointing up. I used to carry a water manometer until I was on a new installation with no water on the job.

Steve M.

[Deleted User]

i recently switched

from the ''tube within a tube'' water manometers to the dwyer 1223 u-tubes with red oil..i like the oil cause the inch marks are longer cause oils lighter than water, plus in a dark boiler room, they are much easier to read,,being red..i call them, manometers for the visually impaired...but the other day i managed to spill one in my truck,,yuck,,,now i'm starting to think about the magnehelic gauge....m-gauge guys, how tough are those gauges?? can they handle being bounced around in the back of a truck??

RichW

mano

I just got a UEI dual port digital unit. It has .01 res. and a built-in magnet to attach to the epuip. under test. It is small, fits in the tool box, switchable back light,
memory, and best of all; it does not leak. I still use my Dwyer to check it from time to time. It's always dead-on. $135 and I use it a lot more than I used the Dwyer.

RichW

Ken Wilson

boiler info

Just installed first two Baxi Luna wall hung sealed combustion gas boilers. Startup was easy and boiler has alot of features. Initially impressed with boiler. Anyone else use these and have comments.

Glenn Harrison

Fluid hasn't frozen yet,

although you do have to be carefull going from a cold truck to a warm house as the fluid will expand as it warms and you will have to re-zero the scale if taking readings for a long time.

Magnahelic's are great. I have a 0" to 2" that I bought when I first started 12 years ago, however I only used it to check pressure switches, never gas. You might want to e-mail them at tech@dwyer-inst.com to make sure they are o.k. for natural and/or LP gas measurements.

Glenn Harrison

Got to agree with you about the case

I can't tell you how many times I have retaped my case. I'll give you alittle tip on those plugs. I found a couple of short fine thread screws that woul snuggly fitt into the plugs and just screw them in after putting the plugs to swell the plugs. Then just loosen a couple of turns to remove plugs but screws still stay in the plugs.

Glenn Harrison

Is that Testo certified for checking...

Natural of LP gas? I ask because I bought a Dwyer digital manometer, and they had two types, only one was certified for gas usage.

Rich Jones

gas pressure

UEI makes a great digital that does positive and negitive pressure you can do gas pressure and also ckeck static pressure. You can also use it for air balancing with a pitot tube. All for under $100.00