Is this going to be an issue?

mcaquatic said:

Since I have switched to the inline atomic I need to run my Co2 at a higher pressure. So now when the solenoid turns off the needle falls down to the high and of the gauge instead of zero. So when the Co2 turns back on for about the first 5 to 10 second a lot of co2 rushes out before the gauge corrects itself. The tank is a 90g. I feel like this probably really isn't all that much Co2 in the scheme of things, but wanted to get some advice. Thanks

Click to expand...

after re-reading what your saying.. im just trying to clarify..

So you recently switched from something else.. to a Atomizer. Now Most all atomizers need at least 30PSI. You shouldnt ever really adjust your system on the working pressure higher then 40 as the ratings for solenoids and such. It will be normal for when your solenoid shuts off to have your working pressure rise. Why? You have stopped the flow of gas to the atomizer. Basically a controlled leak. When the Atomizer or any other use be it a ceramic diffuser or reactor... is running and the solenoid is open it will cause working pressure to drop some. Again thats normal. Certain things such as an atomizer will make a bigger difference due to the higher back pressure they have. Once the flow starts or stops you should notice a change. Nothing to worry about. Again its normal. The reason it takes a few seconds after turning on to get back to "normal" is the Co2 must fight the backpressure of the Atomizer to start working. This delay in time is what it takes. Once the backpressure is overcome and working it changes pressure.

livingword26 said:

I'm going to bump this up one more time because I am a bit concerned about it. Again, If I understand you right, and your low pressure gauge is rising all the way to the highest pressure reading when you shut off your solenoid, then your regulator is leaking. You don't know how much it is leaking because your gauge is pegged out as high as it will go. You could have tank pressure hitting the needle valve when your solenoid turns back on, and thus high pressure in your line, if only for a few moments.

Click to expand...

The only issue with thatis he would have other things going on. But beings that its a dual stage It's really easy to check if the first stage is leaking into the 2nd.

Turn off the bottle valve. Have your solenoid on and bleed off all pressure on both gauges till they read zero. Now. Turn off the solenoid turn off the low side completely. Then turn the bottle valve back on. Let the pressure max out and then turn the bottle valve back off. If there is an internal leak between the two. The high side will go down in pressure while the low side goes up. Leave this arrow this way for a day. Check it see if high side still shows close or exactly same pressure. See if low side still at zero. If so then you have no leak. If there is changes then you do have a leak.


But... The issue he is seeing.us fairly normal for his set up. I honestly don't think he has a leak. First issue would be he would have issues adjusting. His co2 use would be higher.

Try the leak check above and verify though no leaks.

Ok. There are a couple of issues here. Here is a diagram of a 2 stage regulator.



First, I am going to assume that your low side gauge goes up to the highest reading when your solenoid shuts the flow off. To me there is no argument that that means your second stage is leaking by. Now, if your first stage is not leaking, then the only thing that is leaking through, is the co2 stored in between the 1st and 2nd stages. I don't know how much that is. Personally I think it would be odd to have both stages leaking at the same time, however, if this is the same regulator that you had to take apart, and there is debri, (teflon tape, metal shavings ect.) in the unit, then theoretically both of them could be leaking by.