Gang,
I noticed I was not getting a reading from my water pressure gauge. It is plumbed in right by my Headhunter pump.
Then, I noticed that there is a liquid (water?) inside the gauge.
Two questions: 1) Is this liquid normal for our application? and 2) can anyone provide a source for this gauge? I looked online and it seems as if lots of gauges are made with glycerin inside the gauge.
The pump is operating normally and I get water so it is probably a bad gauge...but wanted to learn something in the process of replacing.
Cheers,
bill
Looking at the shape of the meniscus it is probably a glycerin or silicone filled gauge. These are better since they keep contamination (lime scaling) out of the gauge innards. Any gauge with the same fitting, probably 1/4" MNPT would work. But before you buy one pull this one out and make sure the tiny orifice is not scaled over. If it is just clean it off and try it again. Usually when they go bad you'll see some corrosion inside the gauge or the needle will fall off.
I am not sure what they used to put this gauge on with, but I am having a tough time getting it off. Is there a trick? I released pressure to the system, but the darn thing will not budge. Maybe someone with strong arms (and who is not afraid of breaking the gauge) will help in Ark!
They are fun to BREAK OFF and a new one is $12.99 at NorthernTool.com I actually broke my wrist repairing my Headhunter. It works great now, no not the wrist......Make sure you buy the 100 psi glycerin filled.
Take gauge off and run a needle into the small hole and it will work
Thanks. Is there a trick to taking it off? I have tried everything short of vice grips and hammer to get the gauge off.
Gauges are usually either bottom mount or back mount. Bottom mount will have a square surface for gripping with a wrench above where the threads are for mounting. Back mount will have the same setup but at the rear of the gauge in the middle. You should be able to use a crescent wrench on the flat surfaces but might want to use another wrench on the pipe it mounts into. Rightie tightie, leftie loosey
But you probably know this.
Don't know if you can get heat to it, but that can help. Penetrating oil is not likely since it won't get past the dope or Teflon tape. I would be close by a well stocked hardware store or lowes if you decide to force it. The body is probably brass and the threads will break off in the fitting. Now you you have some real work to do before you have water again.
Richard, that is exactly what was in my mind when I stopped trying to force it. Will take another look at it.
I know this sound dumb, but why do you need a gauge. Either it pumps water or it doesn't.