HVAC guys: Good homeowner manometer?

[VolvoRyan]

Hi All,

Long story short: Last year around Xmas, our 23 year-old high-efficiency furnace died (heat exchanger, easy diag). No one was available to install a furnace.... and an unbelievable, pipe-burstingly-cold, cold front was on its way in. So, I ordered a Goodman furnace, took several vacation days off work, and installed the furnace myself. I used a $30 manometer to dial in the gas valve, and make sure the other adjustments were in spec. At 5pm on Xmas eve, with just hours before the temps plummeted, we were up and running.

I'd like to get a better, more trustworthy digital manometer before we fire up the furnace this fall. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[danski0224]

Fieldpiece.

 

[engineer2]

Dwyer
Sensocon

 

[bonneyman]

I used a YellowJacket gauge type pressure tester for years, because I couldn't find a tilt scale liquid manometer that wasn't broken. Would loved to have used the old school style, but could never find one usable and reasonable.

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[Ohmthis]

For a one time use…..Make your own. A piece of cardboard, clear vinyl hose, tape measure, sharpie, and a dark liquid is all you need. No worries about if it’s calibrated.

 

[PCustoms]

Maybe have a service/tuneup to get everything looked over this fall?

 

[VolvoRyan]

Thanks guys! I'll follow up with the suggestions.

Indeed, it might make sense to have a professional come out and give it a good look over. Though, I hate to admit it, I kinda enjoy the work!

-Ryan

 

[PCustoms]

Thanks guys! I'll follow up with the suggestions.

Indeed, it might make sense to have a professional come out and give it a good look over. Though, I hate to admit it, I kinda enjoy the work!

-Ryan

If nothing else, you might learn a few tricks. When I did my gas line I had a pro come in and do a couple of flare fittings and pressure test, he complimented my work but also pointed out where if I had added a union it will make my life significantly easier.

 

[finn]

You can get a simple water manometer from Amazon or probably a hundred other sources. No need for a fancy, and probably inaccurate digital manometer you will probably use once.

No moving parts, simply a graduated vial, some clear tubing, food coloring and water.

When I started working in the engine lab, that’s all we used in the days before digital data acquisition devices. The high precision devices like airflow measurements used a calibrated bellmouth with a pitot tube and an inclined manometer for more precise weddings. The inclined manometers were maybe four feet long and mounted on a board. We also used simple U-tube manometers, as well hand held sling psycometers for determining relative humidity. Labor intensive, but quite accurate

When I installed my propane boiler I used a simple manual manometer. I think it’s still hanging off a pipe in the basement from ten years ago when I did the installation.

 

[VolvoRyan]

If nothing else, you might learn a few tricks. When I did my gas line I had a pro come in and do a couple of flare fittings and pressure test, he complimented my work but also pointed out where if I had added a union it will make my life significantly easier.

That's what I was thinking. Plus, there is some genuine peace of mind from having a professional sign off on my work.

Thanks!

-Ryan