Matheson 3104c Regulator Problem

fishboy199413 · 02-18-2013, 07:24 PM

Hello my regulator stem is stuck and needs to be changed to a cga 320 fitting. But when I went Airgas the guy I talked to said that this regulator could not handle CO2 as it is very cold and would split the diaphragm. Is this true? Also does anyone have any advice? I do not have much money to spend if I it can not be used so I may have to get a cheap regulator even if it is a single stage and I know about the end of tank dump. Is there any way to combat that? Thanks

Darkblade48 · 02-18-2013, 08:20 PM

What was the Matheson 3104c used for originally? If it was originally used for inert gas (CGA580), then it should not be a problem to switch it over to CO2 use.

From the specification sheets that I can find, the 3104c also comes in models that are for CO2 use.

fishboy199413 · 02-18-2013, 08:32 PM

It currently has a cga 580 but I can not remove it as apparently it is a left hand regulator, which I don't understand.

Darkblade48 · 02-18-2013, 09:57 PM

Do you have a picture?

Where did you see/find that the regulator is a "left hand regulator?" Are you perhaps referring to the threading?

The CGA580 stem and nut can be removed with a pipe wrench. Using a bench vise is recommended to hold the regulator in place so you can torque the CGA580 fitting off.

**kevmo911** · 02-18-2013, 10:11 PM

The guy realizes that CO2 comes through really cold. What he doesn't realize is how little we use. Tell him thanks for the advice, and then have him remove the nipple and sell you the CGA320 nipple and nut.

It shouldn't have left hand threading. It might have 1/2-27 threads, like other older Harris Group models. I have one or two 3104's in the workroom - I'll check a bit later. Western Enterprises part #'s CO-3 and CO-4 (2" and 2 1/2" CGA320 nipples) are standard 1/4" NPT thread. CO-7 is the 1/2-27 thread. They all use the same nut - CO-2. And they're available through Airgas.

**kevmo911** · 02-18-2013, 10:21 PM

Okay, just checked. I have 2 3104's and they're both 1/4" NPT inlets. So WE part # CO-3 or CO-4. Or SS-CO-3 (there's no SS-CO-4) if you want Stainless. WE doesn't have chromed CGA parts.

02-18-2013, 07:24 PM	#1
fishboy199413 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Va Posts: 346	Matheson 3104c Regulator Problem Hello my regulator stem is stuck and needs to be changed to a cga 320 fitting. But when I went Airgas the guy I talked to said that this regulator could not handle CO2 as it is very cold and would split the diaphragm. Is this true? Also does anyone have any advice? I do not have much money to spend if I it can not be used so I may have to get a cheap regulator even if it is a single stage and I know about the end of tank dump. Is there any way to combat that? Thanks __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...50-gallon.html Eheim Pimp #520

02-18-2013, 08:20 PM	#2
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,043	What was the Matheson 3104c used for originally? If it was originally used for inert gas (CGA580), then it should not be a problem to switch it over to CO2 use. From the specification sheets that I can find, the 3104c also comes in models that are for CO2 use. __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

02-18-2013, 08:32 PM	#3
fishboy199413 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Va Posts: 346	It currently has a cga 580 but I can not remove it as apparently it is a left hand regulator, which I don't understand. __________________ http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...50-gallon.html Eheim Pimp #520

02-18-2013, 09:57 PM	#4
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,043	Do you have a picture? Where did you see/find that the regulator is a "left hand regulator?" Are you perhaps referring to the threading? The CGA580 stem and nut can be removed with a pipe wrench. Using a bench vise is recommended to hold the regulator in place so you can torque the CGA580 fitting off. __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

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02-18-2013, 10:11 PM	#5
kevmo911 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 3,750	The guy realizes that CO2 comes through really cold. What he doesn't realize is how little we use. Tell him thanks for the advice, and then have him remove the nipple and sell you the CGA320 nipple and nut. It shouldn't have left hand threading. It might have 1/2-27 threads, like other older Harris Group models. I have one or two 3104's in the workroom - I'll check a bit later. Western Enterprises part #'s CO-3 and CO-4 (2" and 2 1/2" CGA320 nipples) are standard 1/4" NPT thread. CO-7 is the 1/2-27 thread. They all use the same nut - CO-2. And they're available through Airgas.

02-18-2013, 10:21 PM	#6
kevmo911 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 3,750	Okay, just checked. I have 2 3104's and they're both 1/4" NPT inlets. So WE part # CO-3 or CO-4. Or SS-CO-3 (there's no SS-CO-4) if you want Stainless. WE doesn't have chromed CGA parts.