Lately I have been receiving a few emails from the forum members asking me how to build a custom regulator with the Burkert 6011 solenoid and Hoke 1300 series needle valve. Since I'm putting a system together today, I will show you how it's done. There is already a thread that talked about custom CO2 regulator in general. I'll keep this one simple and specific to the Burkert 6011 and the Hoke 1300 series needle valve.
Parts needed:
1) Regulator body (output pressure from 30-125 PSI is ideal)
2) CGA 320 nut and nipple
3) 1/4 male NPT x 1/4 male NPT hex nipple (Swagelok cross ref. SS-4-HLN-200 or 150. 200 is 2 inches. 150 is 1.5 inch)
4) 1/4 female NPT x 1/8 male NPT elbow (Swagelok cross ref. SS-4-RSE-2)
5) Burkert 6011 solenoid (1/8 NPT)
6) Hoke 1300 series needle valve
7) Swagelok SS-400-R-2 (SS Swagelok Tube Fitting, Reducer, 1/4 in. x 1/8 in. Tube OD)
8) 1/8 male NPT x 1/8 male NPT elbow (Swagelok cross ref. SS-2-SE)
*The SS in front of the Swagelok part # stands for Stainless Steel. Substitute it with a B if you want brass.
Note: A vise is highly recommended but it's not impossible to assemble the system without one. Never overtighten the fittings. I usually do 3 to 4 turns until the joints are secured and cannot be wiggled by hand.
Here are the parts
Preparation
Start out by cutting a piece of teflon tape and fold it in half.
Wrap the Teflon tape around the threads in clockwise direction. Leave the first thread exposed. Wrap the Teflon around each fitting 2 times. 3 times for the CGA 320 nipple.
Assembly
Tighten the 1/4 hex nipple to the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow.
Remove the DIN connector from the solenoid's coil.
Tighten the 1/8 male x 1/8 female elbow to the solenoid's outlet "A" port (as labeled on the solenoid).
Tighten the CGA320 to the regulator's inlet port. Remember to slip in the nut before you attach the nipple.
Tighten the 1/4 hex nipple and 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow to the regulator's outlet port.
You can make adjustment by turning the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow.
Tighten the solenoid's inlet "P" port to the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow. You can use your legs to secure the regulator. Try not to hold the regulator knob.
Tighten the Hoke 1300 series needle valve to the 1/8 male x 1/8 female elbow.
Connect the power adapter to the DIN and attach the complete unit to the solenoid. This is a 24 VDC power adapter.
You can fold the wire in half and twist it if it's too thin.
Insert a 1/4 OD CO2 tubing to the Swagelok tube fitting.
Tighten the the Swagelok tube fitting unit to the Hoke needle valve.
Here is the finish product and you're ready to pump some CO2. Remember to do a leak test by applying soapy water with a Q-tip around the joints.
This is my 8 weeks old tank. Please disregard the poor scaping. However my plants are surely benefiting from the CO2 injection.
Thanks for looking! I hope this thread gives you a visual understanding of how to put together a custom CO2 regulator. I will show you how to integrate a JBJ style bubble counter to the post body on the next tutorial.
Parts needed:
1) Regulator body (output pressure from 30-125 PSI is ideal)
2) CGA 320 nut and nipple
3) 1/4 male NPT x 1/4 male NPT hex nipple (Swagelok cross ref. SS-4-HLN-200 or 150. 200 is 2 inches. 150 is 1.5 inch)
4) 1/4 female NPT x 1/8 male NPT elbow (Swagelok cross ref. SS-4-RSE-2)
5) Burkert 6011 solenoid (1/8 NPT)
6) Hoke 1300 series needle valve
7) Swagelok SS-400-R-2 (SS Swagelok Tube Fitting, Reducer, 1/4 in. x 1/8 in. Tube OD)
8) 1/8 male NPT x 1/8 male NPT elbow (Swagelok cross ref. SS-2-SE)
*The SS in front of the Swagelok part # stands for Stainless Steel. Substitute it with a B if you want brass.
Note: A vise is highly recommended but it's not impossible to assemble the system without one. Never overtighten the fittings. I usually do 3 to 4 turns until the joints are secured and cannot be wiggled by hand.
Here are the parts
Preparation
Start out by cutting a piece of teflon tape and fold it in half.
Wrap the Teflon tape around the threads in clockwise direction. Leave the first thread exposed. Wrap the Teflon around each fitting 2 times. 3 times for the CGA 320 nipple.
Assembly
Tighten the 1/4 hex nipple to the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow.
Remove the DIN connector from the solenoid's coil.
Tighten the 1/8 male x 1/8 female elbow to the solenoid's outlet "A" port (as labeled on the solenoid).
Tighten the CGA320 to the regulator's inlet port. Remember to slip in the nut before you attach the nipple.
Tighten the 1/4 hex nipple and 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow to the regulator's outlet port.
You can make adjustment by turning the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow.
Tighten the solenoid's inlet "P" port to the 1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow. You can use your legs to secure the regulator. Try not to hold the regulator knob.
Tighten the Hoke 1300 series needle valve to the 1/8 male x 1/8 female elbow.
Connect the power adapter to the DIN and attach the complete unit to the solenoid. This is a 24 VDC power adapter.
You can fold the wire in half and twist it if it's too thin.
Insert a 1/4 OD CO2 tubing to the Swagelok tube fitting.
Tighten the the Swagelok tube fitting unit to the Hoke needle valve.
Here is the finish product and you're ready to pump some CO2. Remember to do a leak test by applying soapy water with a Q-tip around the joints.
This is my 8 weeks old tank. Please disregard the poor scaping. However my plants are surely benefiting from the CO2 injection.
Thanks for looking! I hope this thread gives you a visual understanding of how to put together a custom CO2 regulator. I will show you how to integrate a JBJ style bubble counter to the post body on the next tutorial.