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CO2 meter up and down

623 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Dman911, 
Nigel95
Got a new pressure regulator which stays in the good zone of 1-1,5 bar. The meter goes every second a little up and down. I checked everything for leaks. What could be wrong?
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PlantedRich
What is on the output side to control flow? Nothing like a dosing type system that might be kicking on/off?
I might see that as something that would take the reg a slight bit of time to adjust but rather strange if nothing like that is involved.
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D
Just out of curiosity are you using it on an atomizer or reactor that incorporates an atomizer?

Dan
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Nigel95
Dman911 said:
Just out of curiosity are you using it on an atomizer or reactor that incorporates an atomizer?

Dan
Click to expand...
I am using a diffusor.

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PlantedRich said:
What is on the output side to control flow? Nothing like a dosing type system that might be kicking on/off?
I might see that as something that would take the reg a slight bit of time to adjust but rather strange if nothing like that is involved.
Click to expand...
This is the regulator the 1-6 meter is bouncing a little.

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PlantedRich
Reason for asking what is on the output is that there doesn't seem to be a lot on the other side or in the reg to make it pulse???

Looking at a blow up of a single stage reg, there just isn't much there. The high pressure gas comes in behind a diaphragm and tries to push it up while the spring adjustment on the other side tries to push it down. That "should" mean that the reg takes a bit to get the balance but then stays there as long as we don't change the adjustment.


I thought that there might be something on the output to open/close flow so that the needle would bob. Not seeing why it does if not that.
Perhaps not a real problem? But worth looking over for a leak or obstruction that opens and closes, like where a tubing is bent?
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Nigel95
PlantedRich said:
Reason for asking what is on the output is that there doesn't seem to be a lot on the other side or in the reg to make it pulse???

Looking at a blow up of a single stage reg, there just isn't much there. The high pressure gas comes in behind a diaphragm and tries to push it up while the spring adjustment on the other side tries to push it down. That "should" mean that the reg takes a bit to get the balance but then stays there as long as we don't change the adjustment.


I thought that there might be something on the output to open/close flow so that the needle would bob. Not seeing why it does if not that.
Perhaps not a real problem? But worth looking over for a leak or obstruction that opens and closes, like where a tubing is bent?
Click to expand...
Hopefully not a real problem so I can finally enjoy my tank haha ;)
Yeah the tubing is bent a lot maybe thats the problem. Thanks for help
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PlantedRich
Yes, check for places where the tubing might be bent enough to stop flow? Not at all sure of the idea but maybe? Thinking that the flow might be stopped as long as the pressure is going through but then when bent it stops flow for a bit and the pressure builds to "unbend" the tubing? Not an idea that I would chase too far as it sounds pretty iffy even to me!!!
Perhaps moving the pressure setting just a bit higher would move to a different spot so that one would not have to watch the meter bob and wonder why?
Kind of like having a splinter in the finger and can't find it? Just stop using that finger until it is better!
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D
Sorry for the late reply, I think 1-1.5 bar might be to low of a pressure for ceramic type diffusers they usually require 30-35 psi or 2-3 bar if its not a ceramic diffuser then disregard. I'm thinking this would be the reason you get the fluctuating gauge as the pressure need to build before there is enough to push it through the diffuser. Just a thought.

Dan
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Rhenerie
What kind of check Valve are you using?? If it's anywhere near your working pressure it's possible it's popping open , flowing until there is a relative pressure drop and re-seating causing pressure to rise, until it opens again.
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Nigel95
2
Ada check valve after magnetvalve and a cheapo check valve because my bubble counter was leaking.

Some pics they say more than words ;)

Seller told me 1,5 bar is a good "average" as the range is 1-2. Might depends on the kind of regulator idk?

Some little bents as you see..

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D
Nigel95 said:
Ada check valve after magnetvalve and a cheapo check valve because my bubble counter was leaking.

Some pics they say more than words ;)

Seller told me 1,5 bar is a good "average" as the range is 1-2. Might depends on the kind of regulator idk?

Some little bents as you see..
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong with 1-1.5 bar. But if it will work for all applications is another question. If in fact it is a ceramic diffuser I would highly suspect (not guarantee) that this is what's happening. Its pretty easy to test if this is the cause. Just take the Co2 line off the diffuser and put it on an air stone. If it fixes the problem I think you have found your culprit if not then no harm done.

Dan
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