incontrollable CO2!

[freddiewee]

i recently bought an alumminum CO2 tank (most basic, no solenoid) just bubble counter, check valve and diffuser, .5l from NA. worked fine the first day. but at 1bps the drop checker showed yellow the next day. Turned it off. But when i tried to start it today, it kept flowing from the overflow valve when i turned the Main valve on. i tried fiddling with the main valve and secondary valve but to no avail. It will either allow no CO2 out or A massive lot, no buffer in between. is something wrong with my set up? anyone encounted this problem too?

Many thanks

Cheers!

[Cookiemunster]

Not very sure what you mean by overflow valve. I assume you mean the needle valve?

CO2 regulator should have 2 control valves. 1 on main CO2 tank, 1 smaller needle valve.

The needle valve can be damaged easily if you left it closed while fully opening the main valve at max pressure. Likely your needle valve has been damaged if you cannot fine tune the bubble rate.

[freddiewee]

hi cookiemunster,

thanks for the insight, didnt know what it was called but that should be the problem with it = incontrollable amount of CO2!

Now on my 4ft's CO2 doesnt seem to work too! but this time its fitted with an electronic selenoid. Both gauges show 0 psi, impossible afterall i just refilled it just 4 weeks ago. But i did notice that when i opened the canister's main valve i heard a slight hissing sound. Is it possible to rectify the problem? (how to check where its leaking from?) or is it more advisable that i replace the whole selenoid? Any reliable brands?

Cheers!
Freddie

[tawauboy]

for your 0.5l;
a) turn off both valves.
b) dip outlet tubing into a water container to observe bubbling rate. (use bubble counter if you have one).
c) turn on main valve by 1/4 turns.
d) drip soapy water to all joints and see if bubbles forms at those locations.
e) if no leaks are detected, turn on the 'secondary' valve slightly.
f) if it still fails, bring it back to na and ask mr chan for help.

for your 4' co2;
a) turn off the main valve.
b) remove the regulator and solenoid valve assembly.
c) turn on the main valve slightly.
d) if you do not hear hissing co2, then your tank is empty.

and to check for leaks, drip soapy into all joints. clear the soapy water after checks.