Liquid Filled Pressure Gauges

[Richard]

I bought (and was given) a handful of liquid filled pressure gauges so I can check various things.

Time went on, the gauge on my (pretty new) tire filler got smashed, so I replaced it....with a liquid filled one. The gauge on my 20 gallon air compressor bit the dust.....so I replaced it with a liquid filled one. I essentially looked to replace "whatever" with liquid filled if I needed a new gauge.

When filling tires, I noticed that the non filled gauge is much quicker / more snappy when it comes to putting the chuck onto the valve stem... the dial zips up or zips down. After I changed over to the liquid filled gauge, the dial might be pretty quick (not as quick) and then noticeably slows down for the last 5 psi or so. I presume it's meeting some resistance with the liquid in the gauge so it's not as snappy (?)

I've learned to just be a bit more patient when using the tire chuck.

Any negatives, other than mentioned, on using the liquid filled gauges "for everything"? I'm not seeing any but I don't always see everything!

 

[LouNY]

A liquid filled gauge is dampened some by the liquid fill. However many gauges have dampening orifices built into them.
These orifices can be clogged easily.
But all in all they usually hold up a bit better.

 

[rScotty]

I bought (and was given) a handful of liquid filled pressure gauges so I can check various things.

Time went on, the gauge on my (pretty new) tire filler got smashed, so I replaced it....with a liquid filled one. The gauge on my 20 gallon air compressor bit the dust.....so I replaced it with a liquid filled one. I essentially looked to replace "whatever" with liquid filled if I needed a new gauge.

When filling tires, I noticed that the non filled gauge is much quicker / more snappy when it comes to putting the chuck onto the valve stem... the dial zips up or zips down. After I changed over to the liquid filled gauge, the dial might be pretty quick (not as quick) and then noticeably slows down for the last 5 psi or so. I presume it's meeting some resistance with the liquid in the gauge so it's not as snappy (?)

I've learned to just be a bit more patient when using the tire chuck.

Any negatives, other than mentioned, on using the liquid filled gauges "for everything"? I'm not seeing any but I don't always see everything!

I like fluid-filled gauges & have had no problem with them. They seem higher quality.

The only downside I know of is with the liquid used for filling. And that's only a problem if they live outside in cold weather. Glycerin is common but it can freeze at normal winter temperatures. Freezing doesn't seem to damage the gauge, but of course it reads off until it thaws.

For cold weather I've taken out some of the glycerin and added 50% distilled water which moves the freeze point down to -35F or so.

With liquid filled gauges you may have to sometimes carefully unscrew the fill port just enough to let any air bubble escape. You'll know if that is necessary because it will not go back to zero because of the the air pressure until the bubble is released.

rScotty

Some gauges are now using liquid silicon solution but I haven't tried that.

 

[Richard]

Didn't think about cold affecting them! Fortunately, I hope, that bug won't bit me as my tank is in garage along with other gauges. I would have never thought about changing the liquid to lower freeze point!

 

[thepumpguysc]

When I was in the work force.. the manager hired this kid to do “busy work”..
One day he comes in and says with a big grin, I was done with the work u gave me so I took it upon myself to DRAIN THE WATER OUT OF ALL THESE GAUGES..
He was SOOO PROUD of himself.. lol
He’s probably running the place by now..