POP, SPEW, NEED...gauge for fill station! Recommendation

[FreshAir]

First try using my new "6000 PSI" rig to top off my air rifle with this conglomeration hooked up to my Scott 45 minute 4500psi tank. The thread title gives away the result. Gauge popped and spewed when it reached about 3400'ish psi. Glycerin everywhere!

I eased the tank valve open, in the tiniest increments, every few minutes. I also compared rifle and tank gauges every few minutes. Once the "fill station" gauge indicated 3000ish, it seemed to stall. My Air Venturi Avenger is rated for a 4500psi top off. I wanted to get at least 4000 on this first fill. I persisted with tiny twists of the tank valve, but I shortened the intervals. I constantly checked the Avengers reservoir reading against the fill stations while seeing no gain. A few minutes later?....POP/SPEW

Do I need a reliable gauge? Absolutely; and I would love recommendations.

Additionally Id like pneumatic experts opinion on the possibility that the device has restrictions to flow that could prevent gain past 3000? Ridiculous thought maybe, but questions unasked....

 

[Ranchibi]

Try contacting Joe Brancatto of AirTanksforSale/Top Gun Airguns, he sells lots of fill equipment as well as airguns.

 

[Gerry52]

One does not need glycerin in the fill adapter gauge. Glycerin is mainly for vibration dampening ( like on a COMPRESSOR). I've had those gauges do the same but kept using them with no problems. There shouldn't be anything restricting flow. Don't understand your description of fill with the "tiny twists of tank valve".

 

[FreshAir]

One does not need glycerin in the fill adapter gauge. Glycerin is mainly for vibration dampening ( like on a COMPRESSOR). I've had those gauges do the same but kept using them with no problems. There shouldn't be anything restricting flow. Don't understand your description of fill with the "tiny twists of tank valve".

Per your suggestion, I'll go glycerin free. I was thinking that if Glycerin escapes, air can too?

I thought it was a good idea to move air from SCBA to PCP as slowly as possible, to reduce heat gain and subsequent pressure loss as the air cools down inside the PCP reservoir. I may have overthought/reacted with this technique. Interpret "tiny twists" as 1/8" to 1/4" movement of the Scott tank valve.

My scba tank valves gauge has read 3800 psi since the day after the fire departments chief filled it to 4500 for me. Still does after the big blow out. He had warned me that the the speed of the fill had caused heating of the air and pressure loss would occur as it cooled in my tank.

 

[swNCsw]

My guage on my small compressor did the same lol. It shot plastic and glycerin into the ceiling . I just replaced it with an extra pcp mini for now and later on another one with glycerin when I get time haha. It is not surprising to me at all nowadays. Just par for the course when you try to save money and skip quality more expensive options. I view it as I knew better lol .

 

[Gerry52]

Truth be told, the fill adapter doesn't really NEED a gauge as long as the tank, compressor & airgun reservoir have them. You could put a 1/8" plug in the adapter where the gauge goes & it changes nothing.

 

[FreshAir]

I agree that plugging it aint a bad idea. I may have to use the gauge as a target

 

[Humdinger]

If your gauge has a tapered thread at its base it seals with teflon tape it's 1/8 NPT thread. I recommend Durachoice brand sold by Directmaterial.com. Your fill assembly uses a bottom thread 1.5" diameter gauge. All 2" diameter and up will have a 1/4" NPT thread which won't fit. Directmaterial gauges are very reasonably priced. If your gauge is parallel threaded and has a delrin seal at its base in the fill assembly it is an M10*1 thread. You cannot seal a 1/8 NPT gauge into an M10*1 female thread. If it's an M10*1 gauge, you can find them on Aliexpress.com. You don't need a glycerin filled gauge on a fill assembly. Glycerin is used to dampen vibration when a gauge is on a compressor or for a gauge that gets constant vibration. All glycerin does is dampen needle movement so a gauge can be read.

 

[Heavyopp]

Need to know what thread size you have — looks like a cheap amazon fill set, threads could be anything

 

[FreshAir]

@Humdinger:Thanks. Really useful info! Even if I decide to eliminate the gauge entirely.

@Heavypop: Very Observant and Very Correct. I'm lustful of better built equipment and will take that giant leap if I find this pcp thing enjoyable

 

[Humdinger]

Need to know what thread size you have — looks like a cheap amazon fill set, threads could be anything

It's a made in China fill assembly. Most of them use M10*1 or 1/8 NPT thread gauges. It's definitely not a 1/8 BSP thread which is common in European made air rifle gauges and fill assemblies. It's easy to spot the difference by how each is sealed as stated in my previous post.