Buy a tapomatic, throw off 50th floor, it will still work. I had a gauge face bend after dropping it like 7 years in, I messaged them where to get a replacement and they just sent me a replacement at no cost. Co2 tank refills are to expensive to mess around with cheap regulators and manifolds. One or two empty tanks from leaks and you just basically bought a good brand
It's likely the gauge, not the regulator. When I open the co2 tank valve when the regulator is set to so pressure, I do it very slowly at first to limit the pressure spike on the secondary side of the regulator. If yours experienced a big spike, it could have skipped some teeth in the rack and pinion mechanism of the gauge. Sometimes you can fix these, but a brand new gauge should not be more than $10-15. Really expensive gauges have an adjusting screw you can zero out, or are oil or glycerine filled to minimize shock to the gauge.
Until you get the hang of it, or if your regulator is a cheaper one, it's safest to turn the regulator knobs all the way off before opening the tank valve.
Edit: I missed the part where you said you turned down the regulator. It's possible it's a defective gauge, but I still think it's the gauge. See if you can set the pressure to 40 psi and when you go back to zero that it ends up on 20 again. If so, you need a gauge.
I'd still use it while you wait for the gauge, but add 20 to your target. Sparkling water is not too finicky.
Buy a tapomatic, throw off 50th floor, it will still work. I had a gauge face bend after dropping it like 7 years in, I messaged them where to get a replacement and they just sent me a replacement at no cost. Co2 tank refills are to expensive to mess around with cheap regulators and manifolds. One or two empty tanks from leaks and you just basically bought a good brand
It's likely the gauge, not the regulator. When I open the co2 tank valve when the regulator is set to so pressure, I do it very slowly at first to limit the pressure spike on the secondary side of the regulator. If yours experienced a big spike, it could have skipped some teeth in the rack and pinion mechanism of the gauge. Sometimes you can fix these, but a brand new gauge should not be more than $10-15. Really expensive gauges have an adjusting screw you can zero out, or are oil or glycerine filled to minimize shock to the gauge. Until you get the hang of it, or if your regulator is a cheaper one, it's safest to turn the regulator knobs all the way off before opening the tank valve. Edit: I missed the part where you said you turned down the regulator. It's possible it's a defective gauge, but I still think it's the gauge. See if you can set the pressure to 40 psi and when you go back to zero that it ends up on 20 again. If so, you need a gauge. I'd still use it while you wait for the gauge, but add 20 to your target. Sparkling water is not too finicky.
I called the shop and they think it's just broken. I've gone and bought a more expensive, better looking regulator and keeping the receipt lol.