CO2 System clarifications

[Joeljohn]

Hi guys,

I have a couple of queries with my new CO2 System.
I had purchased a complete CO2 system with solenoid valve from a LFS.
I don't know what The brand of solenoid but it has a model no shown as : "CS Solenoid Valve - CS D2 D"
1) I find that the solenoid is becoming hot during operation. Is this normal?
2) Is this brand -CS known to any of you?
3) The output of the solenoid is connected to another valve with small knob for fine adjustment. Is this the Needle Valve?

Thanks
Joel

[michael lai]

Hi Joel,
1)Yes
2)No
3)Yes.

[torque6]

1) I find that the solenoid is becoming hot during operation. Is this normal?
2) Is this brand -CS known to any of you?
3) The output of the solenoid is connected to another valve with small knob for fine adjustment. Is this the Needle Valve?

Thanks
Joel

1- yes solenoid are usually hot during operation except for the german made ones, most people have found them cooler than the taiwanese made, i split my photo period for 2hours so it doesnt get hot at 1 go.
2- cs brand, you bought them from c328 ?
3- check your low gauge and see if they are at around 20-40 psi, then regulate the flow with this needle valve/knob for fine adjustment up to 1-2 bubbles per second.

[Joeljohn]

Hmm...so that means I do have a Needle Valve. So by right i wouldn't have the "End of Tank" problem with my setup. and this means i can keep going with the tank until its empty. Am i right ?

BTW, i purchased this CO2 system from a shop at Novena.
I really don't know what brand the solenoid is. I attach pictures of my solenoid for you.
Please help me if you can identify this brand.
is this a good one?
Another question is if the solenoid is heating .. then it should be a power gobbler.
Do any one of you know how much powe it consumes ???

Thanks a lot for all your help....
Cheers

[PeterGwee]

Your CO2 system is fine. Don't worry, it is not a chiller and won't consume much energy.

Regards,
Peter Gwee

[Joeljohn]

Hi All,

Thanks Peter for ur reply..
Now I have some peace of mind !

Thanks
Joel

[tawauboy]

look good as it has a few safety marks from various countries. solenoid should consume less than 5 watts and will run hot. you can check your solenoid to see if there is any ???w. that will tell you power rating.

[torque6]

Looking good, wish i had invested in a co2 system when i first startup.

Joe, believe its a taiwan brand, does it have 2 gauges with black rims ?

[Joeljohn]

look good as it has a few safety marks from various countries. solenoid should consume less than 5 watts and will run hot. you can check your solenoid to see if there is any ???w. that will tell you power rating.

Can't see any wattage mentioned on the solenoid.
I can only see this : 240V / 3.8VA

[Joeljohn]

Looking good, wish i had invested in a co2 system when i first startup.

Joe, believe its a taiwan brand, does it have 2 gauges with black rims ?

Ya I too think its a taiwan brand. cause it was not that expensive piece.
No this one is not black.. its steel type rim. But i checked with magnet and the gagues are made of normal metal. that means it will rust over time. infact that was when i had doubts about its quality.

[tawauboy]

Can't see any wattage mentioned on the solenoid.
I can only see this : 240V / 3.8VA

va - volt-amps. this is the amount of power drawn from the main to energize the solenoid as well as generating the heat.

don't worry too much about power consumption.

[Joeljohn]

va - volt-amps. this is the amount of power drawn from the main to energize the solenoid as well as generating the heat.

don't worry too much about power consumption.

Thanks tawauboy !

[fugu_88]

Hi, just wonder is the solenoid seperate from the regulator?
I mean if example, any problem with the soleniod then just get a new one, and reuse the regulator....

[torque6]

solenoid and regulators are "separate" devices so to speak, but they are pieced together. The jbj solenoids/taiwan brand sold in NA are 2in1, so their treads are glued together but its possible to break them apart and reuse either the regulator or solenoid if one or the other leak/malfunction.

[Joeljohn]

Yes..when i purchased from NA I had actually asked the person there.. and he did say that its easily fixable should any of the parts give trouble..
He also said the parts are all freely available..
Du no until i hit any problem to see about validity of his statements !!

[fugu_88]

Which type or model, and brand are you using?
Cause i know nothing on regulator & solenoid....

[torque6]

Yes..when i purchased from NA I had actually asked the person there.. and he did say that its easily fixable should any of the parts give trouble..
He also said the parts are all freely available..
Du no until i hit any problem to see about validity of his statements !!

You are refering to Chan from NA, he is one of our most trusted LFS here in AQ, good pricing too. My co2 system were also bought from him.

[Joeljohn]

Yes torque I am refering to the same person.
He is a nice guy and very helpful. Has no problems answering to our silly questions..and also gives good advise....
I wish I had gone to him right from begining....

[Joeljohn]

Which type or model, and brand are you using?
Cause i know nothing on regulator & solenoid....

The cylinder itself is said to be imported and as per Mr. Chan it did not have any problems with stocks since last 2 years.
Just incase the stocks are not available then you can always exchange it for a local cylinder for which he said i have to top up $20
CO2 regulator is some taiwan brand. Only problem is its all steel so dun know how long it will last. and the gauges are not corrosionresistant.
Solenoid is standard one. I saw the same one fitted in JBJ too.