Victor vts250b co2 regulator problem!Please help :-(

2522 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by GreenAnt, Oct 13, 2010

GreenAnt

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2010

Hi everyone i am new here.
I am trying to build first aquarium but luck is not on my side....

Can somebody please :help:
I have connected regulator for the first time on CO2 bottle,solenoid and regulator valve were closed,start to open bottle valve slowly and suddenly heard "crash & hisssssss" sound and gas started to leek from safety relief!?

Outgoing pressure gauge gone crazy and blocked here:

Complete setup:

Problem is that i was saving money for months to complete this setup and now can't buy another regulator in Europe because of NPT thread....
Can some help?Can i fix regulator somehow?

My poor wannabe planted tank:

Kind regards,
GreenAnt.

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KShoes

· #2 · Oct 12, 2010

I haven't setup my co2 system yet but I have the victor 250c. I believe you were supposed (based on my research & youtube):

1) loosen the handle on the regulator until there is no more resistance.
2) open up the valve on the co2 all the way
3) slowly turn the handle on the regulator back the other way until the low pressure gauge reads desired pressure (i believe 10-15psi?)

If anyone sees that this is wrong, please let me know. Thanks.

reybie

· #3 · Oct 12, 2010

Also, the gauge cover can be unscrewed so you can fix the needle. I don't know though if it's permanently damaged when it goes past the stop.

Darkblade48

· #4 · Oct 12, 2010

KShoes said:
I haven't setup my co2 system yet but I have the victor 250c. I believe you were supposed (based on my research & youtube):

1) loosen the handle on the regulator until there is no more resistance.
2) open up the valve on the co2 all the way
3) slowly turn the handle on the regulator back the other way until the low pressure gauge reads desired pressure (i believe 10-15psi?)

This is the correct method to start up a CO2 cylinder. It is important to back off the regulator delivery pressure first by turning the knob on the regulator counter clockwise until no resistance is felt. Then, and only then, should the main CO2 cylinder valve be opened.

yikesjason

· #5 · Oct 12, 2010

You should still be able to use the regulator as is. Follow the steps above and check for leaks. Your low pressure gauge is probably ruined, but you can still manage without it. It is not too difficult to fix even, you just need a replacement gauge with 1/4 NPT threads. I imagine you should be able to find one even in your country. Are there any welding supply stores there?

GreenAnt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 13, 2010

Darkblade48 said:
This is the correct method to start up a CO2 cylinder. It is important to back off the regulator delivery pressure first by turning the knob on the regulator counter clockwise until no resistance is felt. Then, and only then, should the main CO2 cylinder valve be opened.

Gauge needle came back this morning and i think is working properly(gauge).
I have tried again and followed youre steps but safety relief immediately start to leak after loud bum :-(
There must be some problem inside regulator.....i have bought it used on ebay...
Any other thoughts?

Anyway,tnx for help yikesjason,Darkblade48,reybie,KShoes:thumbsup:

KShoes

· #7 · Oct 13, 2010

Sorry, can't be of much further help. But please let us know what the problem was if you find out. I plan to set up the system this weekend or the next.

hbosman

· #8 · Oct 13, 2010

Sounds like the diaghragm is blown. I had one blow after it was running for awhile. I bought the regulator used. It was a Victor VTS 250 that I had changed the nipple to a cga 320. Anyway, I sent it and a second one to the link below so they could be rebuilt. I think it cost $48.00 each. The shipping charges for you might be too high.

http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/

GreenAnt

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 13, 2010

hbosman said:
Sounds like the diaghragm is blown. I had one blow after it was running for awhile. I bought the regulator used. It was a Victor VTS 250 that I had changed the nipple to a cga 320. Anyway, I sent it and a second one to the link below so they could be rebuilt. I think it cost $48.00 each. The shipping charges for you might be too high.

http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/

Thank you!
I have tried this website before looking for cga 320 nut and nipple but they dont ship internationaly :-(
Was it rough when your diaghragm was blown?
I sleep near co2 bottle,my head is like 15" from her and i am afraid to use unsafe equipment!

Hoppy

· #10 · Oct 13, 2010

Did you assemble the regulator assembly, adding the inlet nipple, needle valve, solenoid valve, etc. yourself? If you did, are you sure you connected the inlet nipple to the right port, and the gauges to the right ports? If you have the inlet nipple screwed into the outlet port you would get the problem you described.

GreenAnt

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 13, 2010

I have found what happened!
It is my fault.
First,i have turned knob in wrong direction all the way.
Vts250b outgoing pressure is 0-60 PSI,pressure in bottle was 700-800 PSI and this pressure because of "turned knob in wrong direction" tried to got out where is supposed to go max 60 PSI.
I have dissembled regulator and found this broken:

Without this part gas is flowing directly from bottle to safety relief!
Does anyone know where i can get another piece of this?
Part: Nozzle Gasket 1408-0086
It is small part so it could be easily shipped.

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Darkblade48

· #12 · Oct 13, 2010

You may want to check with a licensed Victor dealership that ships internationally; they should be able to assist you.

In the future, be aware that you will need to back off your regulator dial (i.e. the one that controls the delivery pressure) by turning it counterclockwise, before opening the CO2 main valve.

reybie

· #13 · Oct 13, 2010

Hopefully someone with a dealer close to them can ship you one.

KShoes

· #14 · Oct 13, 2010

Good luck GreenAnt. If you get the time, GLA posted a great video on youtube instructing step by step how to set up everything. I would have bought a system from them but thought I'd try to learn a thing or two while saving money. However; its starting to cost about the same due several factors and I haven't learn that much yet.

GreenAnt

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 13, 2010

I wish i knew that before :-(
Months of waiting and buying part by part....and i was to excited & fast to get it work...uh...
I think i will not assemble this one,because it won't be safe anymore to sleep near bottle under pressure.Safety first!
Now i must save almost half month salary for another,again....
I will go on diet and eat only :fish:

DIY CO2 here i come again,algae are happy!

Tnx guys

roud:

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