Single or double gauge CO2 regulator

[Peter Mok]

Can somebody enlighten me whether it is sufficient to have only one gauge for a solenoid.

Is a needle valve essential also?

[bobalston]

Regardless of whether or not you use a solenoid, I think your regulator should have two gauges - one reads the output pressure and the 2nd reads the tank pressure. You need to know both.

And YES you do need a needle valve.

Take a look at my web site for info on needle valve alternatives, other components of pressurized co2 systems and low cost sources of supply:

http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/...Pressure%20CO2

Bob Alston

[tawauboy]

Can somebody enlighten me whether it is sufficient to have only one gauge for a solenoid.

Is a needle valve essential also?

is the single gauge 'regulator' made up of a gauge and a on/off valve? if so, then it is not usable. such single gauge 'regulator' are actually just an on/off valve. there is no pressure regulation. the pressure will exceed the solenoid's rating of 10 bar. what you need is a true regulator or pressure reducer,which controls the output pressure to maybe 3-4 bars.

a needle valve is used for precise control of flow rate or bubbling rate or bps. essential if you do not want to tear out your hair trying to control the bubbling rate.

[Peter Mok]

The model that I bought has a check valve, one single gauge mearusing the tank pressure but no needle valve. I haven't started to set up the tank. Hopefully, no need to tear so much of my hair in adjusting as there is no needle valve attached.

Thank you for the info.

[tawauboy]

i believe that you have an on/off valve with a pressure gauge. for this kind of setup, it is notoriously difficult to adjust the bubbling rate. you will be tearing your hair out very soon. :P

[Peter Mok]

I called up the retailer and they told me that the one gauge is their new stock and the pressure has been internally stepped down already. I was quite skeptical and wanted to change to a two gouge model. However, they told me that they did not have the old stock any more.

Then, I tried it out over the weekend. As what they said, doing fine adjustment with the single knob was a breeze.