Stupid IP testing question

[InTheDrink]

Ok, stupid question and I'm guessing I'll need one and one only response.

Got IP tester last week. Testing it this Thursday night. The gauge is 80% liquid, 20% gas, from looking at it. It looks a little strange. I guess cos I'm used to something being all liquid or all gas, not a combo. The tester (Apeks) came with exactly zero documentation so I've no way of knowing whether the tester is faulty or whether the air/liquid combo is by design. My feeling is the latter but on the off chance I'm wrong, be good to have my feeling confirmed before I pressurise it Thursday.

TIA.
J

p.s. excuse erroneous subject title. I guess I've worked with computers too long now.

 

[Luis H]

Are you saying you have a pressure gauge that is partially filled with liquid? That is very common for gauges mounted used in machinery consoles and other high vibration environments, but I have never actually seen one used on a hand held application. I can’t think of any real reason why you couldn’t use it, but it just adds weight to the gauge without any benefit.

The purpose of the liquid filled pressure gauges is to dampen any external vibration. They can’t be 100% filled with liquid since they need some compressible gas volume to allow the gauge bourdon tube to expand.

You bought this gauge directly from Apeks?

I hope this answers your question... this is kind of strange... but I just notice that you are in the UK. Maybe you all use that kind of gauge for hand held applications.

 

[InTheDrink]

Thanks Luis,

I bought it from SimplyScuba.com - have had good experience with them in the past.

Not sure what the standard is in the UK, this is my first outing with any such kit. I'll try it out tomorrow, with caution

 

[Fishpie]

I can't see a problem with using an oil damped IP gauge.
It might react a little slowly to record IP drop and recovery when reg is purged....but that's just me nit picking again today.

 

[Luis H]

If the one in the link below is the one you have, it doesn't show it as being an oil filled IP gauge.

Apeks Intermediate Pressure Tester in Instruments from Simply Scuba

 

[krawlings]

How can you tell from that picture ? It could have been laying on a flat table (when the picture was taken . ) the oil would have covered the face of the gage and not show any gas bubble.
just my observation.

 

[Luis H]

How can you tell from that picture ? It could have been laying on a flat table (when the picture was taken . ) the oil would have covered the face of the gage and not show any gas bubble.
just my observation.

The plastic case on the gauge in that picture is not even sealed tight against the brass fitting. That gauge looks like a common plastic case gauge, not an oil filled gauge.

Again, I am not familiar with many foreign gauges and some of their engineering practices, but lets just say that I have worked with a few gauges.

 

[nwdiver2]

Ask the place you bought it from, they would know.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Are you sure they did not send you this:

Apeks Cylinder Pressure Tester in Cylinders,Accessories from Simply Scuba

The cylinder pressure tester could very well be oil filled (mine is).

Just a thought.

Best wishes.

 

[InTheDrink]

The tester is the one in Luis' post but it doesn't look so clear when lying flat - it shows both viscous liquid and air. It's nearly impossible to get it to show only one or the other.

Problem #2 - I went to the pool this evening to try it (and my new miflex 5' hose and mask [atomic ultraclear - it rocks]) and well, it doesn fit on anything. I thought it would simply snap into my low pressure hose but it's marginally too big for this. So whilst it's not the same kit as in LeadTurn_SD's picture I'm not convinced it's meant for regs. Pretty annoying. I'll try to post a pic of it tomorrow and maybe that will yiled more clues - but essentially it looks *exactly* like Luis' post - Apeks Intermediate Pressure Tester in Instruments from Simply Scuba - bar the liquid.

Thanks for your input. I was quite annoyed. I was looking forward to being a bit pro-active and learning how to test my regs. Oh well, worse things happen at sea

J