electronic leak tester

[WK]

Hello and a Merry Christmas to you all!!
I use 50/50 Isopropanol/water to check for leaks at ambient temperatures after column installation which isn't great - at least I'm using helium carrier. Then I look at hexane peak shape.
I would like an electronic one suitable for hydrogen and helium.
Please post a testimonial for the electronic leak checker you have in the lab.
I'm looking at Restek and Agilent at the moment - does anyone know anyone else?
Many Thanks
WK

[Radish]

I use the Gow-Mac mini for helium. It's awesome and can be purchased from various chromatography suppliers such as Alltech.

[WK]

Radish,
Thanks for your reply.
Can it be used safely for hydrogen and maybe nitrogen?
WK

[Radish]

According to the accompanying literature, the Gow-Mac can be used to detect any noncorrosive gas with a thermal conductivity different than air. It says it is not designed to be used with hydrogen.

[WK]

Thanks Radish,
I see that the Gow-mac you refer to goes down to 1 x 10-5 cc/sec.
Restek goes down to 1 x 10-4 cc/sec.
Some only go to 1 x 10-2 cc/sec.
Price will inevitably come into it - I think on balance the Restek one will be suitable although 1 x 10-5 cc/sec sounds great.
I wonder if someone knows the minimum flow detectable with IPA/Water with carrier 1mL/min!!! - Probably 0.99mL/min!!!
WK