How much air pressure should I use when testing my tanks for leaks? If I use the balloon method, should I pump it up until the balloon is firm?
Thanks,
John
Somewhere I found a pressure gauge that read to 5 psi. Cobbled up some fittings and a valve and pressurized the tank(s) to a hair past 1 psi (so I could see the "1" mark). 1 tank held for 2 days, one leaked immediately. Fortunately the leak was in the BNC fitting for the capacatance fuel quantity and easily fixed.
A balloon inflated to its proper size is really all you need.
When inflating your tank, reduce your pressure setting on your
hose to a bare minimum so you don't accidentally over inflate.
You can spend 50 bucks for fancy equipment or 2 cents for a balloon, they both
do the same job.
4 tanks and no leaks for me using the balloon method
I did both simultaneously at first. The balloon burst at .5 psi. A Balloon is simply not a reliable measurement device. Van's indicates that 1psi should be your target test value. Just don't over pressure it, so cut the hose off or bend it over at this point so you can't. I then just used the manometer and took it to 27in of head. I used some clear plastic 3/8" hose I bought at the hardware store, flared the end and used an 818 nut and 819 sleeve to attach it to the tank. You should have plenty of these in your bag of fuel fittings. It really isn't that complicated, but it is accurate.
Tom.
If you just go ahead and use the soap, you don't have to keep track of temperature and barometric pressure changes. No bubbles = no leaks. Simple as that.Interesting. I ran my test for a day and tracked the atmospheric temperatures and pressures to account for any differentials in the manometer height. There was no change in my manometer level once these factors were taken into account, thus I fail to understand how this is not an indicator of the presence (or lack thereof) of any leaks? I can understand using bubbles to pinpoint a leak once you have discovered that your tank does not hold pressure, but fail to see how this can provide benefit otherwise.
Tom.
I did both simultaneously at first. The balloon burst at .5 psi. A Balloon is simply not a reliable measurement device. Van's indicates that 1psi should be your target test value. Just don't over pressure it, so cut the hose off or bend it over at this point so you can't. I then just used the manometer and took it to 27in of head. I used some clear plastic 3/8" hose I bought at the hardware store, flared the end and used an 818 nut and 819 sleeve to attach it to the tank. You should have plenty of these in your bag of fuel fittings. It really isn't that complicated, but it is accurate.
Tom.