How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

[d2mini]

What if you get a little propane torch and torch the nipple and get hot to heat the lock tight or tape whatever is on there let it cool a little bit then try to break it loose.

not the reg its self just the nipple portion.

Maybe. I don't have one on hand.
I filed down two sides of the nipple so my vice will hold it again.
It's currently locked in the vice and no amount of strength will move it.
I tried putting a small piece of 2x4 against it and hitting the other end of the 2x4 with a rubber mallet and that won't break it loose either.

I have a heat gun and vice at the office. Maybe that will help.

 

[alanle]

Use a monkey wrench and a vise. Dont apply any heat to the regulator. The working temperature on these regulators are under 150F or so.

 

[d2mini]

ok, i'll try that today.
I'm afraid of snapping it in half with the amount of force I'm applying.

I just had to spend $600 on a new Reeflo pump when I snapped the main shaft while trying to remove the impeller that was seized after 2.5 years of use.

 

[d2mini]

ok, the big pipe wrench and vise trick worked.
But now I know why I was having so much trouble. :furious:
I haven't tried threading on the new nipple yet.

 

[alanle]

ok, the big pipe wrench and vise trick worked.

But now I know why I was having so much trouble. :furious:

I haven't tried threading on the new nipple yet.

Oh that doesnt look good. Try to fix the threads with a taper. Wrap extra teflon to the cga320 nipple or you will have a leak.

 

[alanle]

How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

Here's a Hoke 1300 inline valve. It has a 1/4 tube connection so you dont need the swagelok adaptor. Just connect your 1/4 co2 tube directly to the valve.
Ebay item
381181399173

Setup will look like this

 

[biecacka]

Here's a Hoke 1300 inline valve. It has a 1/4 tube connection so you dont need the swagelok adaptor. Just connect your 1/4 co2 tube directly to the valve.
Ebay item
381181399173

Setup will look like this

Alan, what is the knob with 10-15 and one lines on it?


Corey

 

[alanle]

Corey that's the swagelok vernier handle. Each company has its own vernier handle to fit with a specific metering valve in the family.

http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?part=NY-5K-S

 

[biecacka]

What does it do?


Corey

 

[dantdodge]

http://imgur.com/JMchqS0
http://imgur.com/2YV6NMh


Alan,

Do I need that fitting coming from the bottom and the second valve is that just a metering valve if it is should I get a different one or use that one

 

[Dapg8gt]

What does it do?


Corey

It's a metering valve to precisely adjust your c02 entering the reactor. It's a must for me now, I didn't realise how crappy the one on the Milwaukee is compared to using this one.. Night and day when it comes to bubble adjustment..

 

[alanle]

Here's the 22 series needle valve. It's a rare needle valve with a metal vernier handle. It will work nicely with out application.
251869577006

 

[alanle]

How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

http://imgur.com/JMchqS0

http://imgur.com/2YV6NMh





Alan,



Do I need that fitting coming from the bottom and the second valve is that just a metering valve if it is should I get a different one or use that one

That is not a metering valve. It's a stop valve. You should remove it. Please look at my first post. The stop valve is not needed. That fitting sticking out from the bottom is a relieve valve. You can leave it there or cap the hole with a 1/4 npt plug. A full Co2 tank is only 800psi. A relieve valve is not required.

 

[alanle]

How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

What does it do?


Corey

It's overkill for our purpose but you can learn more about it here

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micrometer

 

[ianrwesley]

Any thoughts on these two regulators?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191521416571?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCOA-312-...379?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f77ffbe3

 

[alanle]

Any thoughts on these two regulators?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/191521416571?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT



http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCOA-312-...379?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f77ffbe3

Both of them are good. The first one is stainless steel.

 

[alanle]

Anyone built their system yet?

 

[dantdodge]

Anyone built their system yet?

Waiting on some parts will get mine posted up here soon!

 

[JB NY]

So how much pressure can you have going into the Reactor. I have an MTC ProCal Ca reactor and it has a pressure gauge on the first chamber, when running it reads about 3-4 psi inside the unit. I have the CO2 gauge reading at 30psi and I still have a difficult time controlling the bubbles (meaning making fine adjustments say 40 bpm to 50 bpm).

 

[ct_vol]

What kind of metering valve do you have?