Dissecting an old Gas Meter

[@coondogtheman]

Made it all the way through with no skipping. That was interesting. I'm a big fan of gas stuff like meters.

[@bernym4047]

Beautifully simple mechanism. I would imagine it's quite slow moving even when several appliances are in use as the volume of the diaphragm cylinders is quite large and hence, be very long lasting and reliable. Also, if either diaphragm fails I would imagine the unit would stop passing gas and would have to be replaced or repaired. The only other obvious point of failure is the gear train to the dials. I suppose that could potentially break (e.g. a stripped gear or broken shaft) and stop metering the gas. With the new smart metres, I guess that would be instantly reported to the energy company. Thank you for the video.

[@davidharris5441]

Weirdly, something I always wanted to do

[@leebarker539]

Excellent. I wondered, I Googled, I watched and learned! Two suggestions for your tool array: a Vaughn 12" flat bar and a Vaughn Bt90 8.5" flat bar. Vital for disassembling. Thank you for the video!

[@pinnyb3213]

There is a way to slow these meters down without breaking any of the seals. I don't know the process but gas meter was off and something was being prodded into one of the holes, not sure which one though

[@bootsowen]

I have heard that if you turn them around so that out is in and in is out they will run backwards, I am not brave enough to try it however!

[@codehindiofficial]

Clicking sound is coming from our meter when we turn the gas on. Please advise if it is safe to use it as it would take 10 days for the technician to come.

[@bootsowen]

I am not a gas engineer. You should talk to your supplier or gas network. Whoever owns the meter. They normally come out immediately if you say you think there may be a leak.

[@codehindiofficial]

@@bootsowen Spoke to them. They said they will only come immediately when there is a leak. Currently no smell is coming.

[@coleman4360]

Excellent and very informative. I am just wondering if they are still accurate and give an incorrect reading after a few years use. Suppliers are reluctant to replace meters after a few years unless you pay. They used to be free as part of your contract. If you have a smart meter fitted then they will be free, don't want a stupid smart meter they are a con. Great video many thanks

[@bootsowen]

I can’t tell if it’s accurate but I don’t use much according to the meter so I am happy enough.

[@therealchayd]

Very interesting, thanks for the teardown!

[@1700iDiGuy]

I wonder if you could slip gas slow enough through to bypass the metering without motion?

[@morthren]

I have the exact same gas meter still in use at my place! It's interesting to see what's inside them.

[@bootsowen]

Yeah, so have I. It just trundles away.

[@artyrka]

How could you stop the meter when it is still installed? I heard with magnets, but I think not with this structure

[@bootsowen]

I can't see magnets working on a gas meter, maybe some electricity meters. If you don't want to pay for gas just take the meter off and bypass it. It is illegal, but stealing usually is.

[@dusterdude238]

that was'nt boring to me. I'm in America and just acquired an old gas meter that our Maintenance man threw out. Ours work the same but have two round bellows and an Pentograph-ish sort of arrangement on top to move the bellows. and are a heck of a lot easier to disassemble, Albeit a couple of screws designed to break when removing them, so tempering is evident. On the contrary, I found your video very interesting to see how your gas meters look and work on your side of the pond. :)

[@bootsowen]

Thanks buddy!

[@doctorscoot]

hey, no it was interesting because now i know how a gas meter works.

[@drpoontang9201]

I always wondered how those worked but didn’t want to get busted (nicked I think you say over there) for smashing one open.

[@bootsowen]

I think you will only get in trouble if it is still installed!

[@roberthorwat6747]

Mikes electrical stuff did a teardown of a modern electronic gas meter which uses ultrasonic pulses to measure gas usage. Very clever stuff. Someone made the very comment that was on my mind which was "tear down a mechanical meter for a comparison" so I was most intrigued to find your most excellent video. Interesting comparisons in that the gas tight chamber in the new meter needed grinding open but this one is secured by an easy to remove metal band. For the life of me I couldn't see why the clock housing refused to part with the meter body but no matter, the bellows mechanism was fascinating. I assumed it would be a vane of some sort turning the clock mechanism - very surprised to see the bellows mechanism. I wonder if the corrosion is due to it having been disconnected and left open to the elements for some time? Even with some moisture content in the gas the absence of oxygen should have kept the internals pretty pristine? Great video, thanks for posting!

[@joostk]

Made it till the end. Had skipped/fast-forwarded through some parts to be honest. Great look into a gas meter. Today a new gas meter was installed at my place, so I wondered what is inside, how it works and why it produced the characteristic sound when gas is flowing. Thanks (for this boredom)! ;-)

[@bootsowen]

I have a medal for you (Metaphorical!) Well done, sterling effort and you are a tribute to perseverance!

[@1963murf]

Good job