[kychris]

I won the bid on an Air Products regulator for $38 shipped Priority. Here's what the seller had in the description: "This is a high purity stainless steel gauge. Model # is E12-2440".

Did I get a good deal? Will this make a good first CO2 regulator?

I know I now need a post body and to replace the tank connector with a 320.

Thanks!

 

[sqtran]

Awww..how did I miss buyin that regulator

 

[Hoppy]

It is a good quality regulator, but notice that the first divisiion on the output pressure gauge is 4 psi. It will be impossible to set a pressure of 20 psi with any more accuracy that +/- 4 psi. That kind of limits you to using higher outlet pressures, or accepting that the setting won't repeat when you try to do so.

 

[kychris]

It is a good quality regulator, but notice that the first divisiion on the output pressure gauge is 4 psi. It will be impossible to set a pressure of 20 psi with any more accuracy that +/- 4 psi. That kind of limits you to using higher outlet pressures, or accepting that the setting won't repeat when you try to do so.

So does that mean that it won't be good to use? Or that it will only be good to use with diffusers that use higher pressure? Or that it will just be more fiddly when setting the needle valve?

 

[oldpunk78]

You're fine. I believe the seller had it listed slightly wrong. Instead of -1440, it most likely is a "D" (E12-244D). That means it's a 100psi model. I'm assuming it has a 200psi [strike]high[/strike] low pressure gauge?

 

[kychris]

You're fine. I believe the seller had it listed slightly wrong. Instead of -1440, it most likely is a "D" (E12-244D). That means it's a 100psi model. I'm assuming it has a 200psi high pressure gauge?

One gauge reads to 3000 and the left one reads to 200. Did you mean the low pressure gauge reads to 200?

 

[kychris]

You're fine. I believe the seller had it listed slightly wrong. Instead of -1440, it most likely is a "D" (E12-244D). That means it's a 100psi model. I'm assuming it has a 200psi high pressure gauge?

Oh, and BTW, reading your "how to" was what inspired me to build my own.

 

[oldpunk78]

One gauge reads to 3000 and the left one reads to 200. Did you mean the low pressure gauge reads to 200?

ops - you are correct.

Oh, and BTW, reading your "how to" was what inspired me to build my own.

cool.

I've been meaning to work on it some more. I've just been super busy lately.

 

[Bettatail]

the number show on the handle is the max output pressure.

and it is a nice find, they are really good quality regulators.

 

[btimmer92]

I don't believe the regulator is stainless steel based on the model#. It is still absolutely fine to use.... I just hate how people on ebay have no idea what they are talking about. You have to know for yourself all about what they are selling. I recently saw a single stage regulator listed as a dual stage.... terrible.

 

[kychris]

I don't believe the regulator is stainless steel based on the model#. It is still absolutely fine to use.... I just hate how people on ebay have no idea what they are talking about. You have to know for yourself all about what they are selling. I recently saw a single stage regulator listed as a dual stage.... terrible.

I was wondering that myself if it was really stainless steel. I figured at that price I was still getting a pretty good deal even if it wasn't.

 

[Hoppy]

If you use a good needle valve it won't matter that you will probably want to use 20+psi output pressure. If you have one of the cheap needle valves it might be a problem, because they can be hard to adjust very precisely when the pressure on the them is over 20 psi. I would rate it a good buy.

 

[btimmer92]

I was wondering that myself if it was really stainless steel. I figured at that price I was still getting a pretty good deal even if it wasn't.

Exactly. And I am guessing that it is nickel plated, just because of experience, I have only seen one out of many, many of those that is plain brass (I have it lol). But nickel is most similar to SS in looks. You should able to tell because white light reflected in the nickel should have a very slight yellow-orange tint to it, instead of natural white. Kind of like the difference between an incandescent light bulb and a fluorescent. But you have to look very close to notice this.

 

[maknwar]

That model is brass barstock. What its exactly coated with is unknown, but probably a nickel coating.

 

[kychris]

If you use a good needle valve it won't matter that you will probably want to use 20+psi output pressure. If you have one of the cheap needle valves it might be a problem, because they can be hard to adjust very precisely when the pressure on the them is over 20 psi. I would rate it a good buy.

My plan is to use the Fabco nv55-18. Is there a better choice for the money?

 

[Hoppy]

My plan is to use the Fabco nv55-18. Is there a better choice for the money?

No question, there are better needle valves, but that Fabco valve is a very good one that works very well in this application. I don't see any good reason to spend more for a better one.