high pressure reading vs. gass leak

[Faceman]

I noticed my high pressure reading on my tank went from 1500 PSI to 1200 PSI after only pouring about 25 beers off a 1/2 keg (full). I did the leak test by turning the tank off and watching the gauge. ( I waited over night) The high pressure reading was at 0 PSI. Next I used a leak detector soap and looked for bubbles. Could not find any.

My questions:
Is it possible that the Guinness handle on my system leaks slowly? ( I wasn't about to soak that with soap)

Is it ok to turn the gas off when the keg is not being used? (I use it every day but not when I am sleeping)

If the leak is at the Guinness handle, is there some kind of shut of I can buy or should I cap the end of the faucet?

[edramshaw]

Originally Posted by Faceman

My questions:
Is it possible that the Guinness handle on my system leaks slowly? ( I wasn't about to soak that with soap)

Is it ok to turn the gas off when the keg is not being used? (I use it every day but not when I am sleeping)

If the leak is at the Guinness handle, is there some kind of shut of I can buy or should I cap the end of the faucet?

1) It could but it wouldn't leak gas, it would leak beer which you could see

2) I would leave the gas on as there is a balance that you are trying to maintain. Of all the beers you could get away with doing this to for a bit, Guiness would be it but I would still leave it on.

3) See 1

Here what you can do. Leave the set up on (all valves open except for the faucet) and alone for about a half an hour. Shut down the tank using the knob on top of the tank. Note your high pressure and watch the needle. If after 4 to 5 minutes it hasn't moved then you a probably all set, if you see it fall pretty quick then you have a leak. Basically, the quicker it falls the bigger the leak. If it does fall quick then turn it back on and let the system repressurize. Shut the ball valve on the bottom of the regulator (if it has one) off and then shut the tank off, if it falls now it is the regulator, if not (and it fell earlier) then it is in the line.

[Faceman]

Thanks Ed-
It is my first keg of Guinness and I don't want to run out of gas. It has been maintaining about 1200 for the past 2 days. I will follow you advise and just leave it alone, and hope that 1 tank of gas will last the entire keg.

Thanks again.

[peterj50]

Check your HP gauge for leaks, the tube inside the gauge can develop a crack which will show up at higher pressures, and since its inside the gauge case is hard to find.