Hate to tell you that as a professional licensed HVAC tech for 20 years that if your Windex or soap bubbles don't show a leak neither will that meter. You must have missed checking that joint or didn't see the bubbles or fizzing. If you "smell" gas it means it can't even hold .5 or 1/2 PSI. Most municipalities require either 10 PSI or 15 PSI of inert gas (compressed air or nitrogen) to hold for at least 24 hours.
You applied way too much Teflon tape. You only need 3-4 wraps max. on pipe sizes 1/2" and 3/4" NPT (it's the TPI that is important, not diameter). Also you didn't use a backup pipe wrench when tightening, putting a lot of stress on the pipe, in a sideways direction no less (not good).
@@TheRabidPosum Don't know about propane or oil piping. But it's allowed for residential low pressure natural gas piping at least, and for me--that's all I care about! :-)
I stopped using pipe dope in 2016; PTFE tape only, on potable, heating water, nat. gas and propane Licensed gasfitter in Toronto Canada I highly doubt Teflon tape is against code in NY (for nat. gas)
@@jeffreyjohn2037 Tru Blu or Leak Lock is the best. Can you put a hose onto a barb fitting with Gasoila like Tru Blue or Leak Lock and a clamp then pressurize it to 120+ PSI with no leaks or blowing apart? That is probably a negative ghost rider.