Need a decent gauge to measure water column

[bczygan]

For a 50K BTU garage heater, then later a stove, water heater and dryer.

Bill

 

[Alchymist]

Make your own with a piece of 1 X 4, a yardstick and a length of 1/4" tubing.

Here's one:

 

[Krzewinskibe]

I saw some decent digital manometers on amazon that seemed to get good reviews...

 

[firebirdparts]

Hard to go wrong with tygon tubing and water.

 

[D45]

There are a few used kits in eBay for cheap, I was just looking at some

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Bill this is the one I have, I don't think I paid to much for it, but I was surprised how much it was on ebay. I have had it for a long time

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jandy-3343...917393?hash=item1c8d6e8f51:g:I6IAAOSwKJRZhNUw

 

[mm08822]

Buy a yellow jacket gauge. No mess, no fuss.

 

[joes169]

I've had one of these attached to my wood furnace for a few years, it doesn't get much simpler/easier IMO:

https://www.zoro.com/dwyer-instrume...MIhIDouMe_1wIVllcNCh2yNALMEAQYASABEgLQvfD_BwE

 

[D45]

Why do you need or want one, to adjust or check the valve pressure?

 

[D45]

Are the gas valves on garage heaters set or adjusted from the factory?

Or do they ALL need to be checked and adjusted?

 

[finn]

The valve pressure needs to be set if you are changing a unit factory shipped as natural gas to run on propane.

I just did a search for manometers on the internet. I remember that it cost about $16. It probably came from Amazon.

I would have made one, but I’m lazy.

 

[Showkey]

Each install your technically suppose to check the available gas pressure at the device.
Too high........over firing, booming on start up, shut down for over heating.
Too low.........low heat output, poor combustion, excessive condensation, shut down from improper ignition or fail to light or inconsistent lighting.

Yes........pressure checks are often not done. But can vary by pipe size and distance.

 

[D45]

For $30, I might buy one to mess around with and make sure the valve is adjusted and the heater is running like it should

 

[peter2772000]

We always check pressure on new start-ups. 80% of the time, they're within parameters but every once in a while, you get a WTF?

 

[D45]

Anyone want to loan me one, I'll pay shipping

Or, if someone else if needing to buy one, I will pay a rental fee and throw some money your way

Just hate to buy one, that I only intend on checking my garage heater and not using it again

 

[mrramsey]

Are the gas valves on garage heaters set or adjusted from the factory?

Or do they ALL need to be checked and adjusted?

They are not factory adjusted. Just had my unit installed and it was way off.

 

[D45]

Mine seems to be working completely fine, but I just want to make sure it's adjusted

All local places charge $50, no way

I did the entire install myself and am confident I can adjust the valve myself also......just need a gauge

 

[mrramsey]

Mine seems to be working completely fine, but I just want to make sure it's adjusted

All local places charge $50, no way

I did the entire install myself and am confident I can adjust the valve myself also......just need a gauge

YEah thats what mine "looked like" as well. The first install they didnt test it. The second installer tested and made a rather sizable change. The ill effects can be premature heat exchanger failure.

 

[finn]

Two of the heaters I installed, a BM And some other brand I don’t recall, specifically said to use a simple water manometer rather than a gauge, because the low cost gauges are notoriously inaccurate.

Professional service people I spoke with both use gauges, although I doubt they are in the happy homeowner price range.

Simple water manometers are pretty cheap on the Internet, and a little food coloring improves readability.

 

[D45]

They are not factory adjusted. Just had my unit installed and it was way off.

Did you see what kind of pressure test kit they used?

 

[mrramsey]

Did you see what kind of pressure test kit they used?

He had a digital one but I didn't catch the brand on it.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Brian_WK]

I use this one a UEI AMAZON LINK But I also use it for duct/building pressure. Have also used it to check intake manifold pressure on a car.... a cheaper option with good reviews AMAZON LINK

Brian

 

[SuperD]

I have the Big Max 50,000 BTU and just converted it to propane this week. It came with the conversion kit and instructions. It has the instructions in the owners manual including how to use a manometer so you can find a download. Here is a link to a very easy to make manometer for the purpose of measuring LPG for RV use, so it applies to you for the conversion perfectly,

Be aware that most you-tube videos contain manometer use for the purpose of measuring vacuum, so they really won't be much help. One hint when you make your own manometer (as per the one in the video attached) is the understanding of 11 inches of water column. IF you start with the water level in both tubes at 0 inches and then apply pressure to one tube ( such as the test port on your LPG furnace ) the one side of the column of water goes down 5 inches, and the other column of water goes up 5 inches = 10 inches of water column. You can keep it simple by just marking 1/2" marking on the one side that is going to go up the column ( like the guy does in the video) and each 1/2 inch marking is actually equal to 1 inch of water column by just ignoring the column that has lowered because of the pressure. Remember, the manufactures of the $500.00 digital manometers us a water column to test their accuracy. Hope this helps.