How to build a co2 regulator [56k!]

[clang]

Originally Posted by sspark

Another question. I have a brass regulator, stainless steel solenoid and needle valve. I read somewhere (can't seem to find it) that there might be an issue with the brass/stainless steel connection?

I believe that stainless steel threads can be galled by brass and some other metals. Be especially careful when working with stainless steel female threads.

Thanks, darkblade; link fixed.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by clang

I believe that stainless steel threads can be galled by brass and some other metals. Be especially careful when working with stainless steel female threads.

Link doesn't work.

There is some slight galvanic action between stainless steel and brass as well.

[Steve106]

Can anyone say whether or not this is a good deal? Is it a well designed product? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...95&pcatid=9895

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by Steve106

Can anyone say whether or not this is a good deal? Is it a well designed product? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...95&pcatid=9895

You will find people that both had good experiences and bad experiences with the Azoo regulator.

A common complaint is that the needle valve may be a little fiddly/unstable when you first start using it.

[kevmo911]

It's a good deal in that it's a cheap introduction to real, pressurized CO2. But as for it being a well-designed product? No. It's on the very lowest tier of the regulator durability pole, along with Milwaukee, Aquatek, and their clones.

Fortunately for you, you've posted in the perfect thread! Start on page one and read through it slowly, and abandon any ideas about buying garbage. You'll be grateful you did.

[AnotherHobby]

Awesome thread! I have a simple question. I'm putting together a regulator right now, and while I wait for the rest of my parts, I was wondering how you get the angles to line up nicely on the parts and fittings.

How much can you tighten (or how much do you need to tighten) each fitting? I know you can over torque them. Say I start screwing in a 1/8" 90° fitting that I want pointing straight up, and it start to get tight just past where I want it. Should it be able to go around 350° or will it tighten up to quick? Should I back it out and add a little more teflon tape to make it tighter?

I know the low pressure side is not very high PSI, but I'm not sure how tight it needs to be for a good leak free seal. Any tips on final assembly?

[FlyingHellFish]

Originally Posted by kevmo911

It's a good deal in that it's a cheap introduction to real, pressurized CO2. But as for it being a well-designed product? No. It's on the very lowest tier of the regulator durability pole, along with Milwaukee, Aquatek, and their clones.

Fortunately for you, you've posted in the perfect thread! Start on page one and read through it slowly, and abandon any ideas about buying garbage. You'll be grateful you did.

You know, some people have been using these garbage and they have been working fine for them.

Used dual stage on evil bay can come DOA and then you end up reading the fine print of "As is" and "Untest"

There are pros and cons to both. What I agree with you about is staying away from the clones. The oversea stuff are cheap for a reason.

[sbarbee54]

I just got a great brand new rebranded concoa 312 dual stage of evil bay for 59 shipped. There are good deals you just have to know what to look for. I was educated by oldpink betatail and a few others. I also just got a Parker metering valve of evil bay for 28 shipped brand new and retails is 485.00


There is a used good working concoa 312 on there right now for 40 free shipping


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[eatfood]

what are you searching for - i can't seem to find that concoa

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by AnotherHobby

Awesome thread! I have a simple question. I'm putting together a regulator right now, and while I wait for the rest of my parts, I was wondering how you get the angles to line up nicely on the parts and fittings.

How much can you tighten (or how much do you need to tighten) each fitting? I know you can over torque them. Say I start screwing in a 1/8" 90° fitting that I want pointing straight up, and it start to get tight just past where I want it. Should it be able to go around 350° or will it tighten up to quick? Should I back it out and add a little more teflon tape to make it tighter?

I know the low pressure side is not very high PSI, but I'm not sure how tight it needs to be for a good leak free seal. Any tips on final assembly?

Boy, I don't have a good answer for how to get things ending up where you want them. It's a trial and error type of learning process. It's not as hard as you might think though. You might have to try it and fail, and re-tape and try it again a few times but you'll figure it out. If you're going to be using SS parts for the first time, be careful. The threads will break if you're not careful of over tightening. A good 4-5 wraps of Teflon tape should be all you need to get the fittings where you want them. With SS, maybe a couple more.

[AnotherHobby]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

Boy, I don't have a good answer for how to get things ending up where you want them. It's a trial and error type of learning process. It's not as hard as you might think though. You might have to try it and fail, and re-tape and try it again a few times but you'll figure it out. If you're going to be using SS parts for the first time, be careful. The threads will break if you're not careful of over tightening. A good 4-5 wraps of Teflon tape should be all you need to get the fittings where you want them. With SS, maybe a couple more.

Well... I'll just give it a shot then. Thanks for the advice!

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by AnotherHobby

Well... I'll just give it a shot then. Thanks for the advice!

No problem. When taping, be careful not to get it on the very ends of the fittings. You can cut the tape off at the ends and cause clogging issues. Also, if re-taping, clean every spec of the old tape out of the fittings before trying it again for the same reason.

[FlyingHellFish]

Let the games begin.



These gauges are huge, they are both bigger than my Aquatic Life regulator. The entire thing also weights a ton, you can beat a man to death with this thing.

[oldpunk78]

Ya, no one realizes those things weigh 5-7 lbs. ^ that's a good looking unit

[FlyingHellFish]

Thanks! Oh and I appreciate all the help lately, very nice of you helping out this hobby.

It's a Matheson 3122

Nickel Brass plated
4 - 100 psi