Using powder type fire ext for co2?

ineedfire · 06-24-2012, 06:00 AM

Can you clean out and re use a powder type fire extinguisher for a DIY pressurized co2 setup? They seem a lot cheaper so I'm thinking they may not hold the pressure...?

Also if I get a dual guage regulator that doesn't have a needle valve, how/where do I add one into the line? I know you can buy co2 needle valves on eBay.. Would they be compatible?

I've found this item on eBay. (
Brand New Dorado Dual Guage Co2 Regulator Home Brew Beer Keg Aquarium
http://bit.ly/MNN6ys)

Would I be able to use it? Pretty sure the thread type would match a 2.5kg fire ext. But I m don't know if it has a needle valve, I can't see one in the pic and it isn't in the description.

Sorry for all the questions. Its a habit of mine. Lol.

**Jeffww** · 06-24-2012, 06:43 AM

I'm not sure about the powder type but you can take a liquid CO2 fire extinguisher can and get it fitted with the proper fitting to use with CO2 liquid.

robbowal · 06-24-2012, 07:43 AM

ineedfire
You can't use a powder FE for Co2 it will not withstand the 1000+Psi that the Co2 requires.
Also you need to check if the regulator will fit the Co2 Fe that are available in Australia.
They may be din 477 (european standard) as you guys were a british colony at one stage.
You will alo need to ask if the Co2 FE is a dip tube type (if it is, it is not suitable as it feeds liquid Co2 to the nozzel)
If it is din 477 then get a Dual Gauge reg from Flea-bay from HK the Up Aqua ones are very reliable.

The paint ball connectors are CGA 320 i believe.

ineedfire · 06-24-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbowal

ineedfire
You can't use a powder FE for Co2 it will not withstand the 1000+Psi that the Co2 requires.
Also you need to check if the regulator will fit the Co2 Fe that are available in Australia.
They may be din 477 (european standard) as you guys were a british colony at one stage.
You will alo need to ask if the Co2 FE is a dip tube type (if it is, it is not suitable as it feeds liquid Co2 to the nozzel)
If it is din 477 then get a Dual Gauge reg from Flea-bay from HK the Up Aqua ones are very reliable.

The paint ball connectors are CGA 320 i believe.

I figured as much with the difference in contents.

If the regulator has an aus standard screw type then it should fit any co2 cylinder with the same type thread. Which I'm guessing any local shops would sell only aus thread type cylinders.

It looks like I am looking at the same price range as a standard empty co2 cylinder. May as well get one of those and save myself the trouble.

What are the paintball connectors used for? Just a fitting between the cylinder and regulator?

robbowal · 06-24-2012, 10:05 AM

in the US some people use paintball cylinders (500Grm -1KG) as a supply source for tight areas and those connectors are different from the standard US Co2 cylinder connection. search the forum for "paintball set up"

In your case i would ask at a local welders (they use both Regs and Co2) they will know what fits what, also thay may be able to supply Co2 cheaply / refill for you.

ineedfire · 06-24-2012, 10:32 AM

I'll definitely check out a local welding shop. Maybe I'll luck out and they'll have a cheap cylinder out back or something. I guess I'll just start piecing together my co2 setup starting with a regulator and solenoid. I've read that you need to replace the washer in the regulator every time you remove it. Is this true?

robbowal · 06-24-2012, 12:43 PM

yep
they normally include the nylon crush washer with the refill.

ineedfire · 06-24-2012, 08:14 PM

Oh cool well that saves me buying in bulk to have a stash of them haha. Thanks for all your help.

06-24-2012, 06:00 AM	#1
ineedfire Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Australia. Posts: 124	Using powder type fire ext for co2? Can you clean out and re use a powder type fire extinguisher for a DIY pressurized co2 setup? They seem a lot cheaper so I'm thinking they may not hold the pressure...? Also if I get a dual guage regulator that doesn't have a needle valve, how/where do I add one into the line? I know you can buy co2 needle valves on eBay.. Would they be compatible? I've found this item on eBay. ( Brand New Dorado Dual Guage Co2 Regulator Home Brew Beer Keg Aquarium http://bit.ly/MNN6ys) Would I be able to use it? Pretty sure the thread type would match a 2.5kg fire ext. But I m don't know if it has a needle valve, I can't see one in the pic and it isn't in the description. Sorry for all the questions. Its a habit of mine. Lol.

06-24-2012, 07:43 AM	#3
robbowal Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: london UK Posts: 528	ineedfire You can't use a powder FE for Co2 it will not withstand the 1000+Psi that the Co2 requires. Also you need to check if the regulator will fit the Co2 Fe that are available in Australia. They may be din 477 (european standard) as you guys were a british colony at one stage. You will alo need to ask if the Co2 FE is a dip tube type (if it is, it is not suitable as it feeds liquid Co2 to the nozzel) If it is din 477 then get a Dual Gauge reg from Flea-bay from HK the Up Aqua ones are very reliable. The paint ball connectors are CGA 320 i believe. __________________ Canon Pimp Club #003 "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein "Living in the lap of luxury isn`t bad, except you never know when luxury is going to stand up." Orson Welles

06-24-2012, 10:05 AM	#5
robbowal Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: london UK Posts: 528	in the US some people use paintball cylinders (500Grm -1KG) as a supply source for tight areas and those connectors are different from the standard US Co2 cylinder connection. search the forum for "paintball set up" In your case i would ask at a local welders (they use both Regs and Co2) they will know what fits what, also thay may be able to supply Co2 cheaply / refill for you. __________________ Canon Pimp Club #003 "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein "Living in the lap of luxury isn`t bad, except you never know when luxury is going to stand up." Orson Welles

06-24-2012, 12:43 PM	#7
robbowal Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: london UK Posts: 528	yep they normally include the nylon crush washer with the refill. __________________ Canon Pimp Club #003 "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein "Living in the lap of luxury isn`t bad, except you never know when luxury is going to stand up." Orson Welles

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06-24-2012, 06:43 AM	#2
Jeffww Microsynodontis Lover (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 2,081	I'm not sure about the powder type but you can take a liquid CO2 fire extinguisher can and get it fitted with the proper fitting to use with CO2 liquid.

06-24-2012, 10:32 AM	#6
ineedfire Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Australia. Posts: 124	I'll definitely check out a local welding shop. Maybe I'll luck out and they'll have a cheap cylinder out back or something. I guess I'll just start piecing together my co2 setup starting with a regulator and solenoid. I've read that you need to replace the washer in the regulator every time you remove it. Is this true?

06-24-2012, 08:14 PM	#8
ineedfire Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Australia. Posts: 124	Oh cool well that saves me buying in bulk to have a stash of them haha. Thanks for all your help.