JBJ CO2 regulator problem

[woodworker1959]

I have experienced a problem with my JBJ CO2 regulator which is the second time within the past 10 months that I have had the same problem. The regulator which includes the regulator, solinoid valve, hand needle control valve and bubble counter connected in series together.
The output slows down to 1 bubble every 3 seconds. The tank shows 900 PSI on the gauge (tank gauge) the second gauge shows 20 PSI (outlet gauge) I continually open the hand valve and the flow stays the same. The last time this happened about 4 months ago I went back to the person I had bought it new from and they replaced it. I feel that its a manufactures quality problems. Just curious is anyone else experienced a similar problem. Or if others use a different manufacturer and had great success. My goal is to get the reactor working properly, if that means replacing components like the solinoid or the hand needle control valve or the entire setup with a more dependiable setup so be it . I just don't want to continually deal with the same problem. I appreciate your imput.

 

[pecan2phat]

wood,
I use a Milwaulkee and it's been working fine since day 1 but there has also been a lot of negative experiences with them too.

20 PSI for a working pressure is kind of high within a small Ca Rx, I run my working pressure at 10 PSI.

So your saying that if you turn the fine adjustment needle valve (not pressure regulator valve) the Co2 does not increase?

Also, when you say hand valve, is this the valve on the Co2 tank? If so, this should be in the full open position all the time.
Adjust your working pressure with the pressure regulator valve to 20 or 10 PSI, adjust your Co2 bubbles with the needle valve.
Sometimes you need to tweek the pressure regulator valve a pinch open or close due to varing room temperature but usually this setting stays firm.

 

[cali_reef]

How are you feeding the water into your reactor?

20 PSI working pressure is a bit high, the MRC reactor may blow apart:lol2:.

 

[woodworker1959]

Thanks for responding, that's right I have the valve on the Co2 tank full open with the solinoid valve actuated Iwasn't getting any flow out of the hand operated needle valve. I have since taken the needle valve off cleaned it out (small accumulation of debris) and was able to restore flow out of the valve. Still leaves me feeling uncomfortable about the valve. I do plan on looking for a better quality valve.

 

[woodworker1959]

I'm feeding water into the reactor from the discharge of my main pump return, the return is tee'd so its under positive pressurefrom my Dart pump. I agree with both of you on the pressure but on that model their aren't any adjustment nuts like you see on most regulators, it's factory set and non adjustiable. For the last year it hasn't been a problem with the pressure issue but if the water outlet was clogged and not allowing what's entering to equal whats leaving the reactor I could have a buildup of pressure. I guess the best thing to do is get a higher quality regulator any suggestions.