fabco nv 55 open/closed fixable?

vnghost · 12-18-2012, 07:45 AM

equipment gurus: i bought a 2 stage reg with 3 fabco nv 55 attached. i was only planning to use 2 of the NV and so did the previous owner. so in the possession of the previous owner, it was closed all the way as a shutoff, while the other 2 ran. problem is the nylon knob is free spinning now and i cannot adjust co2. since then, i took that problem NV out and plugged the manifold with a 1/8th plug. i tried tightening the 2 allen screws in the problem nv but cannot get it to stop freespinning. it will turn and turn and never have enough resistance to actually stop turning into a closed position. im not going to use it closed but want it to function properly. is it salvageable?

**oldpunk78** · 12-18-2012, 10:47 AM

1. It's just the Allen screw at the end of the knob that makes it hold onto the valve. The other is just a set screw so it stays put and doesn't turn.
2. It could be broken. The NV-55 isn't supposed to be used as a shut-off valve.

vnghost · 12-18-2012, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the reply. I think the previous owner had it closed all the way for a long time. I tightened the screw on the end of knob and that screw is also free spinning like it is stripped. I'm hoping someone knows a trick to these things but I think it's not salvageable any more.

**oldpunk78** · 12-18-2012, 06:38 PM

Take the white knob off and try putting a drop of super glue in the threads of the nylon. (let dry) It might let you use that Allen screw to at least see if you can open the valve.

Kathyy · 12-19-2012, 03:01 AM

Thanks for posting this. A perfect storm of the good kind.

Read this post and asked DH about Allen wrenches and he got out his set for me. The smallest standard one fit the bolts and I was able to take the plastic knob off and really look at mine. It hadn't sunk in that the bolt closest to the fitting was a locking one. Oops. Now the knob works as it ought to.

Is there any reason you couldn't take off the plastic cover and use pliers to see if it can move?

vnghost · 12-19-2012, 05:35 AM

I haven't attempted to take the knob off yet and have not attempted the super glue trick. Currently trying to solve other problems with my co2 unit but will try as soon as I take care of other priorities first.

12-18-2012, 07:45 AM	#1
vnghost Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 216	fabco nv 55 open/closed fixable? equipment gurus: i bought a 2 stage reg with 3 fabco nv 55 attached. i was only planning to use 2 of the NV and so did the previous owner. so in the possession of the previous owner, it was closed all the way as a shutoff, while the other 2 ran. problem is the nylon knob is free spinning now and i cannot adjust co2. since then, i took that problem NV out and plugged the manifold with a 1/8th plug. i tried tightening the 2 allen screws in the problem nv but cannot get it to stop freespinning. it will turn and turn and never have enough resistance to actually stop turning into a closed position. im not going to use it closed but want it to function properly. is it salvageable?

12-19-2012, 03:01 AM	#5
Kathyy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Newbury Park, CA Posts: 2,947	Thanks for posting this. A perfect storm of the good kind. Read this post and asked DH about Allen wrenches and he got out his set for me. The smallest standard one fit the bolts and I was able to take the plastic knob off and really look at mine. It hadn't sunk in that the bolt closest to the fitting was a locking one. Oops. Now the knob works as it ought to. Is there any reason you couldn't take off the plastic cover and use pliers to see if it can move? __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=195914 "180 gallons of Ferny Wood"

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12-18-2012, 10:47 AM	#2
oldpunk78 newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,419	1. It's just the Allen screw at the end of the knob that makes it hold onto the valve. The other is just a set screw so it stays put and doesn't turn. 2. It could be broken. The NV-55 isn't supposed to be used as a shut-off valve.

12-18-2012, 05:06 PM	#3
vnghost Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 216	Thanks for the reply. I think the previous owner had it closed all the way for a long time. I tightened the screw on the end of knob and that screw is also free spinning like it is stripped. I'm hoping someone knows a trick to these things but I think it's not salvageable any more.

12-18-2012, 06:38 PM	#4
oldpunk78 newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (102/100%) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 4,419	Take the white knob off and try putting a drop of super glue in the threads of the nylon. (let dry) It might let you use that Allen screw to at least see if you can open the valve.

12-19-2012, 05:35 AM	#6
vnghost Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 216	I haven't attempted to take the knob off yet and have not attempted the super glue trick. Currently trying to solve other problems with my co2 unit but will try as soon as I take care of other priorities first.