My failing solenoid regulator.

[KeIgO86]

My solenoid regulator has been serving me well for almost 2 years already. But recently, a problems is surfacing. The rate of release of CO2 decreases over time. eg. if its flowing at 1 bps in the morning, at about 3 hours before lights out, the flow is 0 bps. Then if it goes unnoticed, the next day, my tank will be running high light without CO2 until i noticed that CO2 has stopped flowing and turn the needle valve until my desired flow rate again.

Anyone has encountered this problem before? Can it be fixed? The solenoid is a taiwan one made to look exactly like a JBJ one, only difference would be the name on it.

[benny]

With the falling prices these days, a new one might provide more reliability than trying to repair this one.

Besides the solonoid, the check valve could also be the culprit. Change on and see how it goes.

Cheers,

[GaspingGurami]

Are you sure you have sufficient CO2 in the cylinder? Check the high pressure gauge reading. if less than 1000psi it means you have no more CO2 in liquid form. time to start looking for a refill.

[vinz]

In my experience, the cylinder should be able to maintain pressure until as low as 50psi.

[KeIgO86]

pressure is still at the amount just after refill.

[tawauboy]

did the problem just surfaced by itself or after some events?
does the output pressure drop to zero when the co2 flow stops?

try opening the needle valve to allow high co2 flow for a short while. then tune it down to your desired flow rate.

it may not be due to the solenoid as the solenoid valve acts as a on/off valve.

[KeIgO86]

It happens as one fine day, I was walking pass my tank when I saw no bubbles flowing through to bubble counter screwed on the solenoid. The pressure shown on both gauges is normal, the same as when I first got my CO2 refilled.

try opening the needle valve to allow high co2 flow for a short while. then tune it down to your desired flow rate.

Tried that, problem came back the next day. Now what I'm trying is keep turning the flow higher and higher everyday when I see the flow is zero and never try to turn the valve the other way as to stop the flow and see what happens.

[tawauboy]

did you try checking for any leaks?
are you using a reactor or a diffuser?

[bossteck]

pressure is still at the amount just after refill.

Hi,

What's the reading?

[PeterGwee]

Check valves do fail and will fail and using those screw on type of bubble counter cum check-valve is asking for trouble. Seems like Murphy's got you.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[KeIgO86]

Checked. No leaks on any part of the solenoid before the bubble counter. The flow remains the same throughout the day. But when the solenoid is offed for a night, the next day when its on again, its flow has dropped to 0 bps.

Check valves do fail and will fail and using those screw on type of bubble counter cum check-valve is asking for trouble. Seems like Murphy's got you.

I do not really understand what you mean. Please explain.

In what way will my check valve fail? Here's what I tried though: I assume a failed check valve will disable fluid movement in both directions instead on one. So immediately after solenoid and lights go on, bubble counter shows 0 bps as usual. I plucked out the tube from the check valve so now the other end of the air tube is now leading to atmospheric pressure. Bubble counter still shows 0 bps. If my assumption was true, CO2 should flow immediately after I plucked out the check valve.

I have also made markings on the needle valve or whatever its called. The thing that we turn to control the amount of CO2. I put it to 4 bps just before lights off. I observed that the needle valve did not turn back by itself during the night to totally close and stop CO2 flow. It stayed just where it was the day before. But just a little twitch of the controls, much less than what it normally takes to increase CO2 flow from 0 to 4 bps, and the flow rate returns to 4 bps. Its almost as if its a water hose that clogs up slowly every night. And when I remove the clog, in this case by tweaking the controls, it flows as normal again. I tried turning on the solenoid just 2 hours after its off (lights out), and CO2 still flows, but at a slower rate.

[David Moses Heng]

Hi!!

have your problem been solved?

I have got an electronic solenoid to give away. wonder if you are interested?

Can PM if you are keen. It's FOC.

Cheers!!