How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

CornDoggyDogg said:
New to CO2 and to the thread. Can someone please tell me if this regulator is a good choice at the price?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Gas-E1...AOSwym1c0y6W:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!85024!US!-1
Click to expand...

Looks good and the seller offers 30 day returns so you have time to make sure it passes a leak test. I will say however, that after building a few of these, I like the working pressure to be somewhere in the 0 - 30 or 0 - 60 psi range as we can more accurately dial in the pressure at a range more appropriate for CaRx use.
 
The first link concerns me as with no gas connected the low pressure gauge should be at zero. The second one I’d definitely consider as that’s a good price for a stainless steel Mathewson. Note however that the seller does not offer returns, so Caveat Emptor.
 
LQT said:
The first link concerns me as with no gas connected the low pressure gauge should be at zero. The second one I’d definitely consider as that’s a good price for a stainless steel Mathewson. Note however that the seller does not offer returns, so Caveat Emptor.
Click to expand...
Thanks again LQT. I was able to get the Matheson for $80, with a money back guarantee for any leaks. I think I'm all set. I'll post my pictures/progress in a couple weeks when I get it all put together.
 
Can't figure out how to get my pictures attached! But, i have my new regulator put together, and everything WAS working great - until I added the solenoid. I initially used a 1/8" union while I waited for the solenoid to arrive, and manually turned the CO2 on and off. I received my Clippard Mouse Solenoid today, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything at all. It's the ET-2M-12 solenoid with the 15490-5 manifold and ET-C48 cable.

I connected the solenoid post-regulator, pre-needle valve. Again, everything was working as anticipated with the union in place of the solenoid. It seems the solenoid is essentially acting as a union instead of a valve. Does not restrict or stop air flow at all whether powered or unplugged.

I can't figure out whether I may have done something wrong, or possible a defective valve. I do have it installed in the correct orientation (input/output) according to the clippard diagram.

Anyone have thoughts?
 
view
 
While I’m not familiar with your Clippers solenoid used, when you power up the solenoid or cut off power to it, do you hear an audible click? You should be able to hear the valve actuating when power is applied or cut oss, at least that the case for my Burkert 6011 solenoid.
 
It sounds like it's working now, but those clippards are nice, and they definitely don't sound like the Burkert. The clippards are what are in the CarbonDoser, as they're fast-switching, and they sound extremely quiet, where as the burkert sound like a relay closing. I picked up the non-manifold EV-2-12 https://www.clippard.com/part/EV-2-12 to fix the carbon doser I bought, and it works like a charm, though I have yet to test it hooked up to gas.

I really need to just build my new reg now that the Trident is up and running and I can monitor alkalinity easily.

More in-line with the intent of this thread:

Has anyone used Great White compound instead of teflon tape for their regulators? It seems superior in a lot of ways, and should hold up for the use, but I just don't see it mentioned much, and was wondering if there were a reason why.
 
I’ve read that using Teflon paste will lead to a big mess as it is not meant for use in high pressure gas situations, which is why Teflon tape is more appropriate for our purposes.
 
eBay... type in 6011 Burkert Solenoid in the search. The listing for $79 is the one I would buy. It’s stainless, brand new and comes pre wired.
 
LQT said:
eBay... type in 6011 Burkert Solenoid in the search. The listing for $79 is the one I would buy. It's stainless, brand new and comes pre wired.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! Do you happen to know which solenoid this is? Saw it from an earlier post. Can't seem to find the name of it or where to get it either.
 

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I skipped on the one I posted above and just got a Matheson 3122 off of Ebay.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
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