tuning the regulator

[taz_boy]

just a problem....
i just fixed up my 2nd hand co2 set on sat....got difficulty fine tuning my bubble counts....
i'm using a dual gauge solenoid regulator...but the solenoid is spoiled...so i using as a normal regulator...
sometimes the bubble come out like 2bbps, sometime 1 and now no more...wat could be the reason....?
any how to check leaking...i apply some bubble water around the joints, but i feel that's a weird method cos the bubble water just dripped off, izzit an effective method to check, or am i doing it the wrong way?

[barmby]

Normal Regulator? I am not sure what you meant. You need to have "needle valve" to 'fine adjustment' the bubble.

Nature aquarium is a good place to get the tech stuffs. Mr. Chan is helpful.

[tawauboy]

you'll need a needle valve in order to have fine control over the bubbling rate.

don't know what you mean by bubble water but you should be using soapy water to check for leaks. alternatively, dip everything (excluding needle valve, solenoid valve, regulator and co2 cylinder) into water.

[taz_boy]

hmm...
my solenoid regulator looks like that pic attached....

so by right the needle valve is already part of the regulator rite....
i'm having difficulty having a constant bps, sometimes it just stop

and how do we check for leaks at the part (nut) where the regulator is fastened to the cylinder...we can't dip that part in water, and when i try test with soapy water, the water just dripped off

[barmby]

If your CO2 tank is about to empty. bps will not be constant.

Based on C of the diagram - thats the needle valve.

[taz_boy]

hmm...i just topped it up

[Justikanz]

The CO2 flow is also not regular when it is just being used... The flow is regular only after it had been in used for a couple of days for me... Then towards the end, it will not be regular again...

Also, found out that for the first half an hour of the CO2 being injected, the flow is also irregular...

My 2 cents lah...

[taz_boy]

The CO2 flow is also not regular when it is just being used... The flow is regular only after it had been in used for a couple of days for me... Then towards the end, it will not be regular again...

Also, found out that for the first half an hour of the CO2 being injected, the flow is also irregular...

My 2 cents lah...

oic....too bad i only get to check my tanks on weekend, will check if it;s ok now...
btw...how do u test for leaks at the place or the nut where connect the regulator to the co2 cylinder...???

[Justikanz]

Part A in the diagram?... Eh... Tried using more concentrated soap solution? Cannot inmmersed in water meh? Tilt the cylinder? Hmm...

[taz_boy]

thanks....
i'm refering to the most common leak point which is the section where the regulatr joins to the canister...

anyway, dad just called me....the bps now is rather stable, maybe as wat u said....takes some time to callibarise it....

hopefully no leaks in my tank...

[tawauboy]

you can check whether the fitting between cylinder and regulator and the fitting between regulator and solenoid valve leaks by the following procedure
1) switch off the solenoid
2) turn on main valve and not the pressure shown on the gauges.
3) turn off main valve and leave over night.
4) check the pressure on both gauges.
if there is no difference in pressure then there is no leak.

as long as the regulator output pressure is constant, the bps set using a needle valve should be constant.

[taz_boy]

you can check whether the fitting between cylinder and regulator and the fitting between regulator and solenoid valve leaks by the following procedure
1) switch off the solenoid
2) turn on main valve and not the pressure shown on the gauges.
3) turn off main valve and leave over night.
4) check the pressure on both gauges.
if there is no difference in pressure then there is no leak.

as long as the regulator output pressure is constant, the bps set using a needle valve should be constant.

thanks...my case is pretty different...cos i'm using a solenoid regulator which solenoid is spoiled...so i using it as a normal dual gauge regulator...so step 1 may not apply for mine....

but since the pressure in the cylinder still maintain at 1000psi aft 1 week, can i assume there's no leak in the system

[tawauboy]

in your case, you can fold back the co2 tube after the solenoid. this prevent co2 from flowing. use this step in place of step(1).

cylinder pressure does not tell you much except whether the cylinder has liquified co2 remaining or not.

[jon409]

umm?? i thought solenoid spoilt means that there will not be any flows of co2 from the cylinder out . correct me if i am wrong .
thanks

[taz_boy]

haha....mine is a unique case....think the valve went to the open mode when it's spoiled...so without electricity...it still works like a normal one