DIY solenoid for a co2 setup?

Bryanmc1988 · 10-06-2012, 03:40 AM

well i seen a while back that there was a thread about a DIY solenoid for a co2 tank... cant find it... its a circle style solenoid.... DIY? or sold online? not sure any help would be great

bottom right... with the yellow end

nokturnalkid · 10-06-2012, 05:09 AM

That's a clippard mouse solenoid. There's a few people on here that sell them, bettatail and oldpunk are a couple names off the top of my head.

Bryanmc1988 · 10-06-2012, 04:14 PM

are they cheaper then the normal square looking ones? price is what i ment...

**kevmo911** · 10-06-2012, 04:34 PM

New, the mouse and mount are about the most inexpensive new solenoid out there. About $27 or $28, plus shipping, plus the voltage adapter you'd have to buy (and attach) separately. Unfortunately that's a custom-drilled mount (pm Bettatail), so no, they don't come like that. I'd have to check to be sure, but I believe one of the Clippard mounts comes with two outlets. Otherwise you'd have to build your own, or buy a manifold.

Bryanmc1988 · 10-06-2012, 08:09 PM

dam didnt know going co2 was so costly...

**oldpunk78** · 10-07-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryanmc1988

dam didnt know going co2 was so costly...

It doesn't have to be. Do you have a number in your head you hoping to stay close to? I could probably tell you if its a reasonable amount or not.

It kinda looks as if you may be trying to feed multiple aquariums from one reg. (just based on your question pic...) The more needle valves you want add, the more it will cost. Your post body can be the most expensive part of a build.

Bryanmc1988 · 10-07-2012, 12:58 AM

well not exactly, i'm doing this on only 1 tank... and i already have a single stage regulator which should work fine no need for a dual... also have a 5lb co2 tank full which should already cut the cost by half if not over...

i was just looking for a less costing solenoid so i can just have it on a timer with my lighting... know any that might be cheap? maybe around the 10$ range if even possible? saw some on ebay for like $40 shipped but didnt want to spend that much on one...

also looking to buy one that is not going to run hot but more like cool when running for 8 hours a day....

**oldpunk78** · 10-07-2012, 01:46 AM

You're only option for a solenoid that cheap is going to be [Ebay Link Removed] And you're going to have to be seriously patient.

I've got a used mouse solenoid you'd have to run inline(don't have to, but recommended) I could send you for about $20 bucks. You'd have to come up with a power supply though. (which I also happen to have...)

**Hoppy** · 10-07-2012, 03:47 AM

I would be surprised if you find a solenoid that doesn't run pretty warm, if not hot. As long as it is designed to run that way, no problem. Those designed for aquarium use should all work ok.

DeLaFe · 10-07-2012, 09:20 AM

I have seen no-name-brand Chinese solenoids on ebay for about $20. I am actually about to order a few to try them out. (I have two reef tanks and I just set up my first planted tank)

This is one of those things that you probably shouldn't DIY.

Alfred

**kevmo911** · 10-07-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeLaFe

I have seen no-name-brand Chinese solenoids on ebay for about $20. I am actually about to order a few to try them out. (I have two reef tanks and I just set up my first planted tank)

Make sure that the ports are NPT thread. If you see "Rc", "BSP", "BSPT", "BSPP", "G", or "ISO", it means they're British Standard Pipe thread, either parallel or tapered. And you won't get a good seal without an adapter, which will be either difficult to find, or costly, or both. In fact, unless you specifically see "NPT", assume threads are BSP.

Bryanmc1988 · 10-07-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

You're only option for a solenoid that cheap is going to be [Ebay Link Removed] And you're going to have to be seriously patient.

I've got a used mouse solenoid you'd have to run inline(don't have to, but recommended) I could send you for about $20 bucks. You'd have to come up with a power supply though. (which I also happen to have...)

what do you mean by running an inline? any pictures of what you mean? i might have seen it around but not sure what they are called so cant be 100% sure if i know what u ment.... also any pictures of your mouse solenoid and when else would i need to get it running... pictures would be great... also a picture of your power supply also =)

**oldpunk78** · 10-07-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryanmc1988

what do you mean by running an inline? any pictures of what you mean? i might have seen it around but not sure what they are called so cant be 100% sure if i know what u ment.... also any pictures of your mouse solenoid and when else would i need to get it running... pictures would be great... also a picture of your power supply also =)

Running a solenoid in-line:

Power supply:

^ You just clip the connector off and use your own. (the solenoid is 12vdc)

How you could directly mount it to a regulator:

^ Not recommended if you think it might get bumped once in while. Brass 10-32 fittings aren't that strong.

Hope this helps.

Oh, these solenoids only use something like 0.67 watts. They run quite cool. I would like to mention though that the temps at which solenoids run at really aren't as important as you might think. What is important is that it is rated for a continuous duty cycle.(will the components of the solenoid hold up while powered for 8hrs at a time...)Quality does tend to vary from one manufacturer to another in that regard.

Bryanmc1988 · 10-07-2012, 04:46 PM

a mouse solenoid doesnt come with a bigger fitting to be mounted onto a 1/8" NPT? or a co2 regulator?

also the power supply cord that you are using.... doesnt that plug to a wall outlet? if so doesnt a standard U.S. outlet 120v ac?

**oldpunk78** · 10-07-2012, 05:10 PM

You can get them with a 1/8npt in port. I'm all out though. I just through this out there because you said you wanted to keep it cheap. The electrical adapter is to go from 110/220ac to 12vdc. Most of the small solenoids that are relatively inexpensive are dc. If you run ac current to them, they will fry.

10-06-2012, 03:40 AM	#1
Bryanmc1988 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego - CA Posts: 505	DIY solenoid for a co2 setup? well i seen a while back that there was a thread about a DIY solenoid for a co2 tank... cant find it... its a circle style solenoid.... DIY? or sold online? not sure any help would be great bottom right... with the yellow end Last edited by Bryanmc1988; 10-06-2012 at 04:19 AM.. Reason: add photo

10-06-2012, 05:09 AM	#2
nokturnalkid Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (75/100%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: HI, but Pueblo, CO for now Posts: 1,226	That's a clippard mouse solenoid. There's a few people on here that sell them, bettatail and oldpunk are a couple names off the top of my head. __________________ Schuber Wright 6 gal Mr. Aqua 11.4 g...coming soon 30gal Journal - RIP

10-07-2012, 03:47 AM	#9
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (54/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,215	I would be surprised if you find a solenoid that doesn't run pretty warm, if not hot. As long as it is designed to run that way, no problem. Those designed for aquarium use should all work ok. __________________ Hoppy

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10-06-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
Bryanmc1988 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego - CA Posts: 505	are they cheaper then the normal square looking ones? price is what i ment...

10-06-2012, 04:34 PM	#4
kevmo911 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 3,750	New, the mouse and mount are about the most inexpensive new solenoid out there. About $27 or $28, plus shipping, plus the voltage adapter you'd have to buy (and attach) separately. Unfortunately that's a custom-drilled mount (pm Bettatail), so no, they don't come like that. I'd have to check to be sure, but I believe one of the Clippard mounts comes with two outlets. Otherwise you'd have to build your own, or buy a manifold.

10-06-2012, 08:09 PM	#5
Bryanmc1988 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego - CA Posts: 505	dam didnt know going co2 was so costly...

10-07-2012, 12:58 AM	#7
Bryanmc1988 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego - CA Posts: 505	well not exactly, i'm doing this on only 1 tank... and i already have a single stage regulator which should work fine no need for a dual... also have a 5lb co2 tank full which should already cut the cost by half if not over... i was just looking for a less costing solenoid so i can just have it on a timer with my lighting... know any that might be cheap? maybe around the 10$ range if even possible? saw some on ebay for like $40 shipped but didnt want to spend that much on one... also looking to buy one that is not going to run hot but more like cool when running for 8 hours a day....

10-07-2012, 01:46 AM	#8
oldpunk78 newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,430	You're only option for a solenoid that cheap is going to be [Ebay Link Removed] And you're going to have to be seriously patient. I've got a used mouse solenoid you'd have to run inline(don't have to, but recommended) I could send you for about $20 bucks. You'd have to come up with a power supply though. (which I also happen to have...)

10-07-2012, 09:20 AM	#10
DeLaFe Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New York, NY Posts: 146	I have seen no-name-brand Chinese solenoids on ebay for about $20. I am actually about to order a few to try them out. (I have two reef tanks and I just set up my first planted tank) This is one of those things that you probably shouldn't DIY. Alfred

10-07-2012, 04:46 PM	#14
Bryanmc1988 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego - CA Posts: 505	a mouse solenoid doesnt come with a bigger fitting to be mounted onto a 1/8" NPT? or a co2 regulator? also the power supply cord that you are using.... doesnt that plug to a wall outlet? if so doesnt a standard U.S. outlet 120v ac?

10-07-2012, 05:10 PM	#15
oldpunk78 newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,430	You can get them with a 1/8npt in port. I'm all out though. I just through this out there because you said you wanted to keep it cheap. The electrical adapter is to go from 110/220ac to 12vdc. Most of the small solenoids that are relatively inexpensive are dc. If you run ac current to them, they will fry.