How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor. - Page 50

aakinego · 11/19/2017, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted_C

Answered my own question. I put the Pacific Sun Electronics part over the burkett 6011's mechanical part and it seems to properly open/close it as the controller turns it on and off.

Why not just take the Burkert solenoid off?

Ted_C · 11/20/2017, 06:55 AM

because the pac sun one has plastic threads. Doesn't work too well with stainless steel.

Ted_C · 11/21/2017, 06:48 AM

Does anyone have any documentation / links on how to tear down and re-build a dual stage regulator? Internet searches for Regulator rebuild shows me bunches of natural gas / gas grill rebuilds. Searches for CO2 regulator rebuilds shows me bunches of how to attach my regulator to a CO2 bottle for my kegerator...

I'm stuck at the moment with a non-functioning regulator and no Calcium reactor running.

LQT · 11/21/2017, 06:59 AM

What has gone wrong with the regulator that Alanle built for you?

royvoss · 11/21/2017, 08:10 AM

from my experience , most dual stage commercial regs need to be sent back to the factory or a dealer for repair. some are cheap to have done some are not.
they flow test and calibrate them. not a cheap fix, but the reg will perform like new.

Ted_C · 11/21/2017, 10:08 AM

Thats what I'm thinking too royvoss. The lack of videos or pictures on the internet is great evidence of this.

LQT: if something went wrong - its most likely entirely my fault. Here's are the steps I did:

1: I wanted to see if the solenoid could be replaced with the pacific sun solenoid. The pacific sun solenoid is a plastic casing around the plunger - but does have 1/4" plastic threads so I thought I could make it work.

2: I shut the gas off but did not bleed the excess pressure. I removed the regulator from the CO2 bottle (slowly to let the excess pressure bleed off).

3: To remove the solenoid, I had to remove the blow-off fitting

4: I tried replacing the solenoid with the pacific sun solenoid. Since it's plastic - it never made a tight fit. Tried using tape + rectoseal (the yellow gas line rectoseal) to seal it up (this might have messed up the regulator - the gas line rectoseal)

5: while removing the blow-off fitting - I must have bent the needle on the low pressure gauge. Didn't notice though until I tried turning everything back on.

6: Forgot to re-attach the blow-off valve when testing the pac-sun solenoid (this might have damaged the regulator).

7: re-attached the blow-off fitting and tested again. wasn't getting any movement on the low pressure gauge (due to bent needle). Turned it all the way up and the low pressure needle released and red 150 PSI).

8: disassmbled from CO2 bottle (without bleeding excess pressure - I had to bleed the pressure at the CO2 bottle / regulator fitting) - this may have damaged the regulator

9: put the regulator in-line with my solenoid turned on - not getting any gas flow past the needle valve (or solenoid - or regulator - dont know).

10: tested pac-sun electronics portion of solenoid with the burkett 6011 mechanical pole. Worked. Decided to dissassmble solenoid to re-install burkett 6011.

11: cleaned out the rectoseal as best I could from the fittings to ensure gas could flow. Using 100% teflon tape from this point forward.

12: re-assembled with burkett solenoid pole and pac-sun electronics. No reading on the low pressure gauge at this point no matter where the valve was.

13: attempted to dis-assemble regulator valve to ensure no damage to parts. No damage visible but had no idea how the parts are arranged to put it back together.

14: re-assmbled the valve as best I could and re-tested. still no pressure reading on low pressure gauge.

Throughout all of this - the high pressure gauge continued to work - reading around 900 PSI.

LQT · 11/21/2017, 03:12 PM

I wonder if it’s as simple as replacing the low pressure guage if the needle is bent and you’re not able to get a reading out of it. Try PMing Alanle with what you posted above, he’s has been quite responsive via PM as I was going through my build process.

Ted_C · 11/22/2017, 07:38 AM

The needle was bent. Its fine now - I can swing it around no problem.

I actually PM'd AlanLE before I started posting this. I might be looking at a different set-up anyways - so I might send this back to him for some changes / rebuild / new regulator.

Ted_C · 11/22/2017, 07:45 AM

Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard:

Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter.

What I'd actually like to do is:
Regulator
Bleed Off Valve
Solenoid (one that fits the Pac Sun electronics - preferably 12V 4.8W)
Needle Valve
(Check valve?)
Bubble Counter
Check Valve

If you look at my pic below - I'd like the final hose coming out of all of this to be parallel to the lid of the calcium reactor - that's why I'm looking for a horizontal bubble counter.

zachrabbit15 · 11/22/2017, 11:43 AM

[QUOTE=Ted_C;25281843]Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard:

Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter.

I would just get a right angle push-loc connector.

Joshsmit56001 · 12/04/2017, 10:51 AM

I am looking at a DIY build of a reg but I don’t have a ton to spend so looking at used 2 stage. A lot of these on eBay we have no idea what gas was pushed through them previously. Should there be a worry to buy a used reg with not know what gas was used or will the gases not leave any residuals that would harm a reef tank? Also a lot of people suggest a 2 stage due to end of tank dump. Isn’t that what the solenoid is supposed to prevent by closing the solenoid if the ph goes to low? Is it not fast enough of a response and that’s the issue?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vhuang168 · 12/09/2017, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted_C

Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard:

Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter.

What I'd actually like to do is:
Regulator
Bleed Off Valve
Solenoid (one that fits the Pac Sun electronics - preferably 12V 4.8W)
Needle Valve
(Check valve?)
Bubble Counter
Check Valve

If you look at my pic below - I'd like the final hose coming out of all of this to be parallel to the lid of the calcium reactor - that's why I'm looking for a horizontal bubble counter.

If you rotate the needle valve by 1/4 turn, the tubing will exit horizontally.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

vhuang168 · 12/09/2017, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted_C

Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard:

Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter.

What I'd actually like to do is:
Regulator
Bleed Off Valve
Solenoid (one that fits the Pac Sun electronics - preferably 12V 4.8W)
Needle Valve
(Check valve?)
Bubble Counter
Check Valve

If you look at my pic below - I'd like the final hose coming out of all of this to be parallel to the lid of the calcium reactor - that's why I'm looking for a horizontal bubble counter.

If you rotate the needle valve assembly by 1/4 turn, the tubing will exit horizontally.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lilchris · 12/10/2017, 11:44 PM

I have a question concerning my regulator and needle valve. I have noticed I'm getting multiple bubbles in the bubble counter at a time. I rate of the bubbles is good but when The bubbles are released it's not just one bubble at a time it would be 2 at a time. Is this normal or is this an indication of a faulty needle valve. I have a swagelok metering valve on my set up.

vhuang168 · 12/11/2017, 09:07 AM

What pressure are you running at?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lilchris · 12/11/2017, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhuang168

What pressure are you running at?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll have to look when I get home.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

solitude127 · 12/11/2017, 12:03 PM

@lilchris, do you have a check valve on your co2 line? if so, maybe that's going bad?

lilchris · 12/11/2017, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vhuang168

What pressure are you running at?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's running at 13 psi.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

lilchris · 12/11/2017, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

@lilchris, do you have a check valve on your co2 line? if so, maybe that's going bad?

Yes I have the check valve that Geo's reef sell.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

lilchris · 12/11/2017, 08:59 PM

I think my tank is getting low. The tank pressure is 900 psi and output is 13 psi. They are holding steady at both.

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vhuang168 · 12/11/2017, 09:03 PM

Try dropping it to 6-8 psi

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

solitude127 · 12/12/2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilchris

Yes I have the check valve that Geo's reef sell.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

how old is the check valve? maybe it's needs to be replaced?

lilchris · 12/12/2017, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

how old is the check valve? maybe it's needs to be replaced?

Not sure, it is a few years old.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

lilchris · 12/12/2017, 03:34 PM

I have a new one that I can out to swap out and test.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

ReefPharmer · 12/12/2017, 05:21 PM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

got this solenoid (as mine is taking a dump) and it came with the din connector. However, I just realized that the connector is not the right one as the pins ont he solenoid are much closer together than on the din and do not properly connect.

Is it that they send the wrong din? Or did i choose the wrong solenoid?

11/20/2017, 06:55 AM	#1227
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	because the pac sun one has plastic threads. Doesn't work too well with stainless steel. __________________ 150 Gal Quarantine. 310 Main Display Tank Reefing since 2012

11/21/2017, 06:48 AM	#1228
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	Does anyone have any documentation / links on how to tear down and re-build a dual stage regulator? Internet searches for Regulator rebuild shows me bunches of natural gas / gas grill rebuilds. Searches for CO2 regulator rebuilds shows me bunches of how to attach my regulator to a CO2 bottle for my kegerator... I'm stuck at the moment with a non-functioning regulator and no Calcium reactor running. __________________ 150 Gal Quarantine. 310 Main Display Tank Reefing since 2012

11/21/2017, 06:59 AM	#1229
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	What has gone wrong with the regulator that Alanle built for you? __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

11/21/2017, 10:08 AM	#1231
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	Thats what I'm thinking too royvoss. The lack of videos or pictures on the internet is great evidence of this. LQT: if something went wrong - its most likely entirely my fault. Here's are the steps I did: 1: I wanted to see if the solenoid could be replaced with the pacific sun solenoid. The pacific sun solenoid is a plastic casing around the plunger - but does have 1/4" plastic threads so I thought I could make it work. 2: I shut the gas off but did not bleed the excess pressure. I removed the regulator from the CO2 bottle (slowly to let the excess pressure bleed off). 3: To remove the solenoid, I had to remove the blow-off fitting 4: I tried replacing the solenoid with the pacific sun solenoid. Since it's plastic - it never made a tight fit. Tried using tape + rectoseal (the yellow gas line rectoseal) to seal it up (this might have messed up the regulator - the gas line rectoseal) 5: while removing the blow-off fitting - I must have bent the needle on the low pressure gauge. Didn't notice though until I tried turning everything back on. 6: Forgot to re-attach the blow-off valve when testing the pac-sun solenoid (this might have damaged the regulator). 7: re-attached the blow-off fitting and tested again. wasn't getting any movement on the low pressure gauge (due to bent needle). Turned it all the way up and the low pressure needle released and red 150 PSI). 8: disassmbled from CO2 bottle (without bleeding excess pressure - I had to bleed the pressure at the CO2 bottle / regulator fitting) - this may have damaged the regulator 9: put the regulator in-line with my solenoid turned on - not getting any gas flow past the needle valve (or solenoid - or regulator - dont know). 10: tested pac-sun electronics portion of solenoid with the burkett 6011 mechanical pole. Worked. Decided to dissassmble solenoid to re-install burkett 6011. 11: cleaned out the rectoseal as best I could from the fittings to ensure gas could flow. Using 100% teflon tape from this point forward. 12: re-assembled with burkett solenoid pole and pac-sun electronics. No reading on the low pressure gauge at this point no matter where the valve was. 13: attempted to dis-assemble regulator valve to ensure no damage to parts. No damage visible but had no idea how the parts are arranged to put it back together. 14: re-assmbled the valve as best I could and re-tested. still no pressure reading on low pressure gauge. Throughout all of this - the high pressure gauge continued to work - reading around 900 PSI. __________________ 150 Gal Quarantine. 310 Main Display Tank Reefing since 2012

11/21/2017, 03:12 PM	#1232
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	I wonder if it’s as simple as replacing the low pressure guage if the needle is bent and you’re not able to get a reading out of it. Try PMing Alanle with what you posted above, he’s has been quite responsive via PM as I was going through my build process. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

11/21/2017, 08:10 AM	#1230
royvoss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: nj Posts: 467	from my experience , most dual stage commercial regs need to be sent back to the factory or a dealer for repair. some are cheap to have done some are not. they flow test and calibrate them. not a cheap fix, but the reg will perform like new.

11/22/2017, 07:38 AM	#1233
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	The needle was bent. Its fine now - I can swing it around no problem. I actually PM'd AlanLE before I started posting this. I might be looking at a different set-up anyways - so I might send this back to him for some changes / rebuild / new regulator. __________________ 150 Gal Quarantine. 310 Main Display Tank Reefing since 2012

11/22/2017, 07:45 AM	#1234
Ted_C Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clearwater FL Posts: 1,923	Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard: Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter. What I'd actually like to do is: Regulator Bleed Off Valve Solenoid (one that fits the Pac Sun electronics - preferably 12V 4.8W) Needle Valve (Check valve?) Bubble Counter Check Valve If you look at my pic below - I'd like the final hose coming out of all of this to be parallel to the lid of the calcium reactor - that's why I'm looking for a horizontal bubble counter. __________________ 150 Gal Quarantine. 310 Main Display Tank Reefing since 2012

11/22/2017, 11:43 AM	#1235
zachrabbit15 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 67	[QUOTE=Ted_C;25281843]Looking through this thread and all the broken pictures made this determination hard: Does anyone know of an in-line bubble counter that has a horizontal outlet instead of a vertical outlet? Most i see have gas glowing into the bottom of the bubble counter and flowing out from a compression fitting on the top of the bubble counter. I would just get a right angle push-loc connector.

12/04/2017, 10:51 AM	#1236
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I am looking at a DIY build of a reg but I don’t have a ton to spend so looking at used 2 stage. A lot of these on eBay we have no idea what gas was pushed through them previously. Should there be a worry to buy a used reg with not know what gas was used or will the gases not leave any residuals that would harm a reef tank? Also a lot of people suggest a 2 stage due to end of tank dump. Isn’t that what the solenoid is supposed to prevent by closing the solenoid if the ph goes to low? Is it not fast enough of a response and that’s the issue? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

12/10/2017, 11:44 PM	#1239
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	I have a question concerning my regulator and needle valve. I have noticed I'm getting multiple bubbles in the bubble counter at a time. I rate of the bubbles is good but when The bubbles are released it's not just one bubble at a time it would be 2 at a time. Is this normal or is this an indication of a faulty needle valve. I have a swagelok metering valve on my set up.

12/11/2017, 09:07 AM	#1240
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	What pressure are you running at? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

12/11/2017, 12:03 PM	#1242
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	@lilchris, do you have a check valve on your co2 line? if so, maybe that's going bad? __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

12/11/2017, 08:59 PM	#1245
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	I think my tank is getting low. The tank pressure is 900 psi and output is 13 psi. They are holding steady at both. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

12/11/2017, 09:03 PM	#1246
vhuang168 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,136	Try dropping it to 6-8 psi Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Vincent 40g custom AIO --> DSA190Pro

12/12/2017, 03:34 PM	#1249
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	I have a new one that I can out to swap out and test. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

12/12/2017, 05:21 PM	#1250
ReefPharmer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,836	How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 got this solenoid (as mine is taking a dump) and it came with the din connector. However, I just realized that the connector is not the right one as the pins ont he solenoid are much closer together than on the din and do not properly connect. Is it that they send the wrong din? Or did i choose the wrong solenoid?