Info My DIY manometer and IP gauge for under $100

[leftyedwards]

$20 Manometer

• $11 5” H2O Mano tube https://a.co/d/4H2Y4Ck
• $4 3/4 X 3/4 X 1/2 threaded T https://a.co/d/8AEsP7U (fits snug right into any reg mouthpiece, no need to cut the zip tie!)
• $3 1/4-in barb x 1/2-in F threaded Fitting https://www.lowes.com/pd/B-K-1-4-in-Barbed-Barb-x-MIP-Adapter-Fitting/1000505031

$64 IP Gauge

• $35 Winters PFQ Series 4” 300 psi gauge 1.5% accurate https://a.co/d/aZOmdKY
• $12 1/4” mnpt 275 psi Control Devices blow off valve https://a.co/d/dceKOXQ
• $9 1/4” mnpt to bc inflate quick disconnect https://a.co/d/dityr08
• $8 1/4” fnpt T https://a.co/d/1D8d85E

 

[happy-diver]

 

[boat sju]

Aqua Intermediate Pressure Gauge with BC Quick Disconnect Fitting

Knowing the difference between a simple second stage leak and a malfunctioning first stage regulator intermediate pressure (IP) can make the difference between annoying leaks verses a major problem. Th

www.scuba.com

 

[leftyedwards]

Aqua Intermediate Pressure Gauge with BC Quick Disconnect Fitting

Knowing the difference between a simple second stage leak and a malfunctioning first stage regulator intermediate pressure (IP) can make the difference between annoying leaks verses a major problem. Th

www.scuba.com

Yeah, thats a 2" or 2.5", no name brand gauge, with no safety pop off; and if I had to guess 3% accurate (9 PSI) Grade C; I wouldn't trust that to set IP but would be helpful to determine creep or leaks. The gauge I made is 4" Winters (very well know gauge maker), 1.5% accurate, between Grade 1A & Grade A, across the entire range (that's within 4.5 PSI). Larger gauges are more accurate, doubt you'd find a tech that uses anything less than 4"; and though most techs use 1% accurate Grade 1A (3 PSI), 1.5% would be the max. As I only service my families regs this works fine. The gauge I made is comparable to the two in the links below, $115 and $170; I built mine for half that.

Analogue Intermediate Pressure Gauge Professional

This intermediate pressure gauge is ideal for the professional technician or set-up and will live up to the requirements of higher precision. It can be used stand alone or lying flat and could be wall mounted. The body of the gauge is made from stainless steel 316 with dual range of 0-350 PSI...

scuba-clinic-tools.com

Peter Built IP Gauge Assy, 4in SS Gauge 300 psi/20bar Dual Scale

Scuba Tools stocks 1% accuracy Precision 0-300 dual psi/bar scale 4 inch IP pressure gauge. This gauge is shipped assembled with a Kingston Pressure Relief Valve and a Scuba Tools 9/16"-18 standard SCUBA low pressure hose fitting.You can monitor 1st stage IP by connecting either a second LP...

www.scubatools.com

 

[boat sju]

@leftyedwards , Do you really have less than 24 dives?

 

[leftyedwards]

lol, no I’ll have to fix that.

 

[boat sju]

Your manometer is way nicer than mine

 

[leftyedwards]

Your manometer is way nicer than mine
View attachment 815893

I was going to do something like that but when I discovered that a 3/4 PVC T will fit snug in a mouthpiece and then I found that cheep $10 mano tube on Amazon I decided I'd splurge and spend the $20.

 

[rverma]

snip

• $12 1/4” mnpt 275 psi Control Devices blow off valve https://a.co/d/dceKOXQ

Thanks for the guide - I purchased all the linked pieces for the IP gauge off Canadian amazon and put it all together. However, the safety valve leaks a very small amount of air from the part where it would let off excess pressure. I called the company and discovered that this is due to the fact that it's a "hard seat" valve as opposed to a soft seat which would not leak any air. I did a bit of googling and it seems it's normal for these hard seat valves to let out air as they approach the higher thresholds of their safety pressure. This one was leaking at 130-135 PSI, less than 50% of its threshold.

Does your valve also leak small amounts of air and would this leak affect the displayed pressure on the gauge?

 

[leftyedwards]

Thanks for the guide - I purchased all the linked pieces for the IP gauge off Canadian amazon and put it all together. However, the safety valve leaks a very small amount of air from the part where it would let off excess pressure. I called the company and discovered that this is due to the fact that it's a "hard seat" valve as opposed to a soft seat which would not leak any air. I did a bit of googling and it seems it's normal for these hard seat valves to let out air as they approach the higher thresholds of their safety pressure. This one was leaking at 130-135 PSI, less than 50% of its threshold.

Does your valve also leak small amounts of air and would this leak affect the displayed pressure on the gauge?

That’s odd, mine doesn’t leak; it shouldn’t leak at all, I think this would definitely throw the gauge off, but if it’s very small I don’t think it would matter.