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Homemade Manometer
Homemade Manometer
Homemade Manometer
Manometer Photos
Here's the finished manometer being used to test gas pressure in the laundry room (dryer) and the garage (water heater).
Pressure Readings
Below, the first photo shows a zero reading (gas value off). The next photo shows a several inch reading (gas value on). The last photo shows detail of the measurement; about 3 1/2 inches. The gas pressure is then two times that (since one water column goes down as much as the other column goes up and the pressure is proportional to the difference in elevations). So the gas pressure here is about 7 inches. This level seems normal.
Double Check
Just to be sure the manometer is working, I brought it over to another house. The gas pressure there also is about 7 inches.
Actual Pressure
24-Apr-2008 PSE (Puget Sound Energy) was here today to make official measurements of the pressure. They reported 6.8 inches. So it looks like my homemade manometer is right on. Since the gas line is fine; it must be a problem with the dryer. 25-Apr-2008
Replacement new dryer installed today and it works fine. Mystery solved: PSE gas pressure is fine, new gas line is fine, the first dryer was DOA.
Parting Shot
Just a few ounces of water, plastic tubing, and a ruler...
Further Reading
Introduction to Gases Lecture notes, with great diagrams. Gas Laws Nice tutorial, with Java animation. Wikipedia: manometer Pressure measurement. Measurement of pressure with the manometer Dwyer whitepaper. Manometers Lecture notes. Home-made Manometer Another one. Regulators and Relief Devices Dry, but thorough.