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Tennessee “Bubblier”
Yep, I built one! It is amazing how sensitive this thing is as it can detect the smallest of leaks. Many thanks to Hector for the instructions on how to build and use the “Texas Bubblier”. I built this one from scrap materials and fittings I had on hand and purchased the valves, regulator and filter. If you don’t have one, I highly reccommend you consider building one.
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11 Replies
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Nice job Tom, you can tell it was built by a Liberty owner, great looking pipes…
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Tom,
Great job!! Yours looks much better than mine, but it get the job done. Since developing and using mine, it has put in touch with the suspension system.
Now I do realize the comment of this being a Tennessee bubbler was designed to get a comment from me (and a grin from Jon), well it has. It is the Texas Bubbler! A guy as detailed as you must have misread the title of the building instructions.
I am glad to see you built it. It is my tool of choice for managing leaks on my bus. I hope more bus owners build this and use it to take the guess work out of managing suspension system leaks.
Good Luck,
Hector
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Since there are now two bubblers in TN, and only one known to be from TX it would appear the device is now the TN bubbler.
The device is an instrument of torture designed to drive the most anal among us nuts. But for those who enjoy pain and frustration it is ideal for locating air leaks. Hector has led the way when it comes to our pneumatic system, not only creating a leak free coach using his TN bubbler, but by providing the superb suspension system power point program that make the mysterious operation of the Level Low system easily understood.
All right, it IS a Texas bubbler.
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Well, ya learn something every day.
And here I always thought that a Tennessee bubbler was a ……….still.
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Hector,
Did you tell these TN boy’s about the Patent?
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Humm. Their is a great possibility that a second Texas Bubbler is to be built here in Texas….. Time will tell.
I can see copper pipe polishing as the next build requirement.
Hector
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Tom,
The more I look at your build, the more impressed I am. WoW!
You did a great job…
One comment, the air regulator that you use for inlet pressure regulation has to be very, very stable. Un be known to me, that a normal air regulator will “hunt” around the set pressure, 1/4 pound or so. In normal operation of an air regulator, the user would not notice this fluctuation. But with the bubbler, 1/4 pound of pressure fluctuation will cause a roar of bubbles, indicating a major leak, in the bubbler part of the system. This can cause one to think they have a leak. I discovered this when testing the unit, it only took me 1 1/2 hours to sort it out. Remember, patience is key. I now use a dual stage Victor regulator. It is steady as a rock. You can buy these regulators at any welding supply store. It is the same regulator I use to pressure test with a nitrogen bottle when pressure testing AC lines.
Another comment, when checking air bags or air bag systems, you will need to let the bubbler sit at least 20 minutes to assure the air bag has stretched to its maximum size. You will notice that the bubbler will slowly decrease the bubbles until it stops, if you do not have a leak. I will not tell you how long it took me to sort this out.
Again, great job.
Hector
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The alternative to a very precise (read expensive) regulator is a constant pressure air supply. I have a 60 gallon tank on my compressor and when it reads 100 PSI I start my test. The few bubbles from a leaking joint have an almost negligible impact on the tank pressure and the pressure even though unregulated is constant.
But as Hector has set his up he can use any air supply and with the regulator he uses is assured of the same constant pressure.
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Hector,
Thanks for the pointers. I pressurized the system to 100psi and let it set for 4 to 6 hours, glancing at it occassional. Saw no pressure drop on the Swagelok gauge nor bubbles in the filter. You point is well taken and I will change the regulator out. I am on my second filter. The first one was a piece of junk and I ended up buying a Norgren air filter to replace it. The first leaked like a seive!
As to the use of the term “Bubblier”, I was poking fun at my TN version and all of the non-believers out there. Didn’t mean to include the term in reference to the Texas version. I know Jon views these contraptions as pain and anguish but they do get the job done.
Keep me posted on the new version – I can already see a couple of improvements I want to make on mine. Then maybe apply for a patent! Just kidding of course.
BTW Jon, I’ll be happy to let you borrow mine any time.
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Paul,
You are right on. They both produce bubbles. Although I think “shine” does it in the brain. Never tried it though.
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Tom,
You could have borrowed mine. I would have even let you polish it.
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