Regulator help

[Thebiggestal]

Hello!

I’ve built a kegorator and got a cheap regulator from Ali express. It’s never holding pressure when I hook it up to a keg. Is it knackered? I can’t find any leaks on it at all

For example, I kegged a brew yesterday and set it to 1bar. Came back this morning and it had all but dropped. Topped up again and it’s back to zero this evening.

And yes I do have gas in the bottle

 

[sifty]

Checked for leaks by spraying starsan on fittings?
You are leaving pressure on? Gas pressure will drop as it's absorbed if main valve is closed...

 

[foxbat]

Hello!

I’ve built a kegorator and got a cheap regulator from Ali express. It’s never holding pressure when I hook it up to a keg. Is it knackered? I can’t find any leaks on it at all

For example, I kegged a brew yesterday and set it to 1bar. Came back this morning and it had all but dropped. Topped up again and it’s back to zero this evening.

And yes I do have gas in the bottle

Gas pressure will drop as it's absorbed if main valve is closed...

^^ Exactly this. Your CO2 is being absorbed into the beer within hours. You either need to leave the gas on at the desired pressure for at least a week to allow the pressure to equalise or you can speed things up by doing the 'crank and shake' method documented here. Note that speeding up the carbonation won't make your beer ready to drink any faster. You still need to leave it to condition.

 

[Thebiggestal]

Thanks both.

I am loving this hobby but I have made some silly mistakes!