[hchu182]

I just set up my paintball canister CO2 system. I purchased a bubble counter off of ebay:

[Ebay Link Removed]

and I have it hooked up to my aquatic life CO2 regulator, but it will not let CO2 pass through. When I hook up the tubing directly to the regulator without the bubble counter, CO2 passes through easily. What could be wrong with the bubble counter? Do I need to return it and get a new one?
Thanks!

 

[FlyingHellFish]

You hook it like this:

o ring goes on the needle valve, then you screw on the bubble counter


Then you sit back and admire how sexy it looks.

 

[hchu182]

So when I try setting it up like that, CO2 will not pass through the bubble counter. It's as if the part that connects tot he regulator is clogged or blocked.

 

[FlyingHellFish]

Could you take a pic of the set up, maybe its a diff bc?

 

[hchu182]

http://imgur.com/REjCza7

http://imgur.com/0caEwez

Here's how it is set up. I have a slightly different bubble counter, but it should work the same way. when I the solenoid is on and I turn the knob on the regulator to fully open, no bubbles will form in the chamber. Do I have to wait?

 

[FlyingHellFish]

Oh, wait wait a minute! Where in the world did you get a green Aquatic Life regulator? That looks great!

That the same bubble counter except it's made for "in-line", and you won't need that o-ring, actually I don't think it even comes with one.

Anyways, have you tried turning the needle valve up? Not too much, just turn a bit and wait, turn a bit and wait, you get the idea.


When the solenoid comes on, it should be producing bubbles in the first 5 second. If not, then you got something clogging it. And if it doesn't get any bubble, then there a huge leak or it doesn't have the required working pressure to "crack" the built in check valve, which I highly doubt that the case.

Oh yo, you sure the nut on the bottom of that bubble counter is screwed on right? It should be completely alined with the bubble counter. Yours is on an angle. First, make sure those screws are set right. If that doesn't work, use a longer tubing and test again. <- Better advice.

 

[hchu182]

thanks for the response. it is actually blue like yours, i think it's just the lighting from my tank makes it look green.

I've tightened all the screws and tubes and I think the problem is the check valve portion of the counter must be clogged or the working pressure isn't enough to break through which like you said would be odd.

with the bubble counter completely off, when i turn the knob on the regulator, i can hear co2 escaping. if i take apart the bubble counter and just place the check valve portion, i.e. the bottom part of the counter, on to the regulator and open the knob, i cannot hear any CO2 escaping

 

[FlyingHellFish]

That is a bit odd, it should be able to push the Co2 through. Try this, without the bubble counter connected, put the Co2 tubing in a glass of water and aim for 2 - 3 bps. Reconnect the bubble counter and use a longer tubing, 1 feet should be fine.

Wait 15 mins and check on the bubble counter, if it's still not going then disconnect the bubble counter because then it's a pressure issue.

a. Not enough working pressure to break the check valve
b. Leak at the connection that reduces the working pressure
c. Check valve is clog and requires a higher working pressure
d. Typical cheap bubble counter from asia with no quality control

Let me know how the bps is on the regulator, we can at least make sure it's working and can concentrate on the bubble counter. Luckily for you, I have the same setup, I'll let you know how much psi it requires to push bubbles through. I got those bubble counters on another regulator set up with adjustable pressure settings.

 

[mfurufuru]

+1 I agree. I'd say it might be a leak somewhere.
Try some soap on the connecting points. I used some teflon tape to seal my co2 connectors.

That is a bit odd, it should be able to push the Co2 through. Try this, without the bubble counter connected, put the Co2 tubing in a glass of water and aim for 2 - 3 bps. Reconnect the bubble counter and use a longer tubing, 1 feet should be fine.

Wait 15 mins and check on the bubble counter, if it's still not going then disconnect the bubble counter because then it's a pressure issue.

a. Not enough working pressure to break the check valve
b. Leak at the connection that reduces the working pressure
c. Check valve is clog and requires a higher working pressure
d. Typical cheap bubble counter from asia with no quality control

Let me know how the bps is on the regulator, we can at least make sure it's working and can concentrate on the bubble counter. Luckily for you, I have the same setup, I'll let you know how much psi it requires to push bubbles through. I got those bubble counters on another regulator set up with adjustable pressure settings.