#2 in Pressure & vacuum measurement tools
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Reddit mentions of Winters PEM Series Steel Dual Scale Economical All Purpose Pressure Gauge with Brass Internals, 0-30 psi/kpa, 2" Dial Display, +/-3-2-3% Accuracy, 1/4" NPT Bottom Mount
Sentiment score: 1
Reddit mentions: 3
We found 3 Reddit mentions of Winters PEM Series Steel Dual Scale Economical All Purpose Pressure Gauge with Brass Internals, 0-30 psi/kpa, 2" Dial Display, +/-3-2-3% Accuracy, 1/4" NPT Bottom Mount. Here are the top ones.
or
- Brass wetted parts for measuring non-corrosive liquid and gas pressure
- Circular dial is enclosed in a steel case for corrosion resistance
- Measures pressure with dual scale (psi/kPa)/(Hg. vacuum/kPa)
- Display accuracy is + or - 3/2/3% over the entire range of the gauge (ASME B40.100 Grade B)
- Lower mount or center back male connection with either 1/8" or 1/4" NPT rate
Features:
Specs:
| Number of items | 1 |
| Size | 0-30 psi/kpa |
| Weight | 0.22 Pounds |
I'm glad to see more people are mentioning this, it's (IMO) a much better way to leak test without the risk of actual leaks. Some Amazon links for my current setup:
You'll need a pressure gauge, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087UCI8C/ has a relatively low maximum for high sensitivity (easy to see if there's a drop)
You'll need a valve you can hook a hand pump on to (like what you'd use to pump up a bike tire -- I don't recommend an electric pump because of the low pressure you need). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PLI4BA/ is in the same threading as the gauge.
You'll need a tee to connect these things to -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQUTBS/
Finally, connecting the tee to your rig. I take a scrap of tubing, put a fitting on one end, and slip the other over: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CFNKBO/ (check for your tube's inside diameter!).
Assembly is pretty straightforward, wrap some pipe tape around each component's threads and screw into the tee. Before connecting to your rig, you may want to cap the open end and pressurize it a bit to make sure you're not starting with any leaks. Connect in to your fill or drain port as appropriate, and slowly pressurize the system. You don't need a ton, only 8-10 psi is plenty, and is more than the water will be operating at. Mark the gauge position, and come back in a few hours. If the needle has moved, you've got a leak -- you can swab glycerin or dawn soap around your seals to find where. If not, you know that air at higher than normal operating pressure isn't leaking out, and that's a nice tolerance to know you have!
You don't need to buy those pre-made ones. You can just make one yourself with cheapo non-watercooling components. Low-pressure air gauge, a schrader valve, a t-block with one male and two female ends, and a thread adapter. About $20 worth of stuff, assuming you already have something to pump it with.
I use this one paired with this gauge and this connector, and love it.