VICTOR and DUAL STAGE REGULATOR PIMP CLUB (Helpful Information Links are on Page 1)

[Left C]

Hi zzyzx85

Is your VTS253A working OK since you replaced the low pressure gauge two months ago? What other parts did you use to build your Victor regulator.

I haven't seen these chrome ones for sale on eBay in a while.

Left C

[Squawkbert]

Update: My DIY has been gone for about 3 weeks now.

I sat on that regulator for quite a while before I finally assembled the rest of the system -

a 10# Al tank (new, fish store in St. Charles, MO - about same $ as repainted steel tanks are going for on ebay - I think it was ~$80, shipped), a Parker 120V 150PSI rated solenoid (~$17 shipped, SherrodSurplus - ebay), and an Upchurch microflow needle valve - all PEEK, works w/ the 1/8" PEEK (CO2 proof) tubing I use, uses the same flangeless ferrules I had in my Tee from the pair of DIY I raplaced) - ~$56 (ouch) - but it works better than the $7 brass needle valve I tried before (evidently, that one was for liquids, is nearly useless in this application). My diffuser is a miniature polymer "airstone" looking thing sitting a fwe inches below my Eheim inlet, which i just recovered w/ a Fluval coarse sponge.

So, I got CO2 going on my light timer - all good quality parts, cheaper than most package deals and w/ really skinny tubing.

My only other expenses were a 1/4" scrap of Cu tubing ($$1 or 2 at HW store for a foot) and some PTFE tape for the solenoid connections - everything else is swaged.

[Left C]

Hi Squawkbert

I'm glad that you got it going. It sounds like you have a very good system.

Left C

[zzyzx85]

Haven't gotten around to installing it yet. Took the old one off though. I'm running the rest of my DIY first. Also, moved to a new tank (20g to 55g) so that's been eating up all my time.

I've ordered parts from Rex and I'm waiting for them to come in. I wanted an Ideal NV but settled for a Fabco NV.

[Left C]

Does your Fabco needle valve come with barbs or 1/8" NPT?

Did you get a solenoid as well?

I'm wondering, did you order the brass parts that you will need as well?

[zzyzx85]

Actually, I ordered parts for both options. I couldn't make up my mind about how to attach it.

I already have a solenoid (a Burkert I found for a $1 ). I need to clean it up though. Looks like it saw calcium reactor duty.

[Left C]

Dang $1. I paid $60 plus shipping for a new one. It is on my VTS253D-320.

[zzyzx85]

I got really lucky. I have a thread in the equipment section but basically, I found a junk regulator and flow meter with this solenoid attached to it at a fish shop near my school. Took the solenoid out, dusted it off a bit, plugged it in and it clicked. So hopefully it still works.

I contacted Burkert and they were trying to sell me a new one as they were saying mine was obsolete. Obsolete, yes, but it doesn't really matter if it can still do its job.

[bsmith]

Does anyone have a solenoid laying around they wouldnt mind selling to me or trading for something???

[Left C]

A new Clippard MME-2PDS-W110 solenoid lists for $19.70 plus shipping. Do you have a Clippard distributor near you? I ordered some catalogs from them and they called me a few weeks later. I told them that I had an aquarium business on the side and they send me some free parts. I got about $50 or so worth in free parts.
http://www.clippard.com/store/displa...=MME-2PDS-W110

[bsmith]

I am just worried about hooking up the plug myself. I saw that even you had to ask a few questions about it after I did some research on the subject.

[Left C]

That's true. I have never worked with AC current parts until then. I'm glad that some folks gave me great info for me to follow.

[Left C]

If you do not want to wire your Solenoid, you can order the above solenoid and then order either the 6’ or 15’ DIN connector with a grounded power cord and LED so you can replace the stock DIN connector and LED.
DIN connector with 6’ (152 mm) grounded power cord and LED
Part # CC-BLM-P6 - $13.00 each
http://www.clippard.com/store/displa...?sku=CC-BLM-P6

DIN connector with 15’ (381 mm) grounded power cord and LED
Part # CC-BLM-P15 - $22.00
http://www.clippard.com/store/displa...sku=CC-BLM-P15

[bsmith]

I saw that but I am not familiar with what the differences are. I figured that was what you ordered.

[Left C]

I haven't seen those parts. The Clippard rep gave me the part numbers.

I used the Clippard MME-2PDS-W110 solenoid and the $3 cord.




The Burkert solenoid's part number is 6011. http://www.iprocessmart.com/burkert/bukert_6011.htm

http://www.iprocessmart.com/images/B...dard-US-EN.pdf

6011 A 5/64" FRW B-A
NPT 1/8" P Max 115 psi

NPT 1/8 5/64 0.13 0-116 0-65