PP164 Flow meter

I think I have a minor issue with the few meter on mY PP164. I can set the flow rate and the ball indicator floats just fine.
When the flow stops, the ball falls as expected. So far so good.
However, when the gas starts flowing again, the ball indicator stays put at the bottom of the flow gauge. The gas is flowing, but doesn't register on the flow meter.
If I increase the flow rate slightly, the ball will jump up, but the whole process starts over again.... gas stops, ball falls and stays down even when gas flow resumes.
It's almost like the ball or seat is dirty. Can it be disassembled and cleaned?

Gee,

I'd just take it off the tank and shake the ball up and down in its tube for about a minute or so.

That'll probably take care of it.

If not, replace it. They're about $35.

Or, if it's from an Everlast unit you recently purchased, Everlast warrantees those items for 6 months, I think it is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnT

I think I have a minor issue with the few meter on mY PP164. I can set the flow rate and the ball indicator floats just fine.
When the flow stops, the ball falls as expected. So far so good.
However, when the gas starts flowing again, the ball indicator stays put at the bottom of the flow gauge. The gas is flowing, but doesn't register on the flow meter.
If I increase the flow rate slightly, the ball will jump up, but the whole process starts over again.... gas stops, ball falls and stays down even when gas flow resumes.
It's almost like the ball or seat is dirty. Can it be disassembled and cleaned?

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It does sound like you have some gunk in there. Yes the plastic tube can usually be unscrewed. There will be some O-rings and or seals to keep track of as it comes apart. However, if you do find anything like fluid, you have to wonder what else is contaminated. Those gas passages should always be clean and dry. If it has always been this way, maybe there is a defect in the ball or the seat that you can fix. A burr or something causing it to jam.

I took it apart. Very simple, actually, the tube that holds the ball is tapered and the ball would get lodged in the narrow end
A couple swipes with some sand paper did the trick. Oh , and 10 minutes crawling on the garage floor looking for the ball after dropping it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnT

I took it apart. Very simple, actually, the tube that holds the ball is tapered and the ball would get lodged in the narrow end
A couple swipes with some sand paper did the trick. Oh , and 10 minutes crawling on the garage floor looking for the ball after dropping it.

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Yeah that's probably what I would have been doing too I usually drop the small parts and have to search for them.

Mark