How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

[solitude127]

Originally Posted by zip70

I need this one...prefer Swagelok. I can not find the part number. Please help.

https://www.swagelok.com/en/catalog/...il?part=SS-SS2

[Tng5090]

Leon,

Reading your posts I bought the Victor STG160B reg and Hoke 1335G3Y metering value.
Where did you get the CGA 320 (ss) and the fittings from solenoid to Hoke metering value?

[LQT]

Originally Posted by Tng5090

Leon,

Reading your posts I bought the Victor STG160B reg and Hoke 1335G3Y metering value.
Where did you get the CGA 320 (ss) and the fittings from solenoid to Hoke metering value?

Awesome regulator! However, the Hoke 1335G3Y may be a problem as that is a 3mm metric fitting. I do not know if they have English to Metric conversion pipe fittings.

http://catalog.hoke.com/viewitems/me...te-1300-series

[Tng5090]

Thanks Leon. You're right I couldn't find the English to metric conversion. Will this Anodized 6061 aluminum CGA 320 work? https://www.ebay.com/itm/372591605525?ul_noapp=true

[LQT]

Yeah, that fitting should work. If you’re interested in buying a full stainless steel cga320 fitting, Shoot me a PM, I have a spare available for sale that I’m not using.

[Tng5090]

Originally Posted by LQT

Yeah, that fitting should work. If you’re interested in buying a full stainless steel cga320 fitting, Shoot me a PM, I have a spare available for sale that I’m not using.

Sent PM.

[zip70]

I bought this one...will it work?

[LQT]

Originally Posted by zip70

I bought this one...will it work?

I can’t tell by the picture... do you know the model number or is there a model number etched into the stem?

[LQT]

Wait, I think it says SS-SS4-VH... if so, you’re good!

[zip70]

Originally Posted by LQT

Wait, I think it says SS-SS4-VH... if so, you’re good!

THANK YOU LQT...what is VCR fittings?
It says SS-SVR4-VH

[LQT]

Originally Posted by zip70

THANK YOU LQT...what is VCR fittings?
It says SS-SVR4-VH

If it uses VCR fittings, see if you can return it. VCR fittings use a metal washer to seal the fitting down to the micron level (not necessary for our purposes). The VCR fittings required will be prohibitively expensive. When I built my first regulator, I scored what I thought was a killer deal on a stainless steel dual stage regulator with VCR fittings. I PM’d Alanle with pictures and questions and he advised me to stay away from the VCR fittings due to cost.

[Jamsoury]

How can you tell if a regulator is dual stage? A lot of listings don’t really say

[ReefWreak]

You usually have to google the product information, and review sales materials and whatever information is out there. Almost none of the auctions will list it, unless they're explicitly trying to charge more for it. There's also a lot of re-branding of regulators done by Praxis and AirGas of regulators so it makes it difficult to find documentation or identify the original regulator itself.

It's usually easiest to surf a few pages of this thread and see what regulators people are using, and then go with that option.

[alanle]

Here is my latest system. It’s a Parker IR6000. The ports are vcr converted to npt.
-SS Parker IR6000
-SS Burkert solenoid
-SS Swagelok S Series with vernier handle



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[zip70]

Looking good Alanle...question for you...when you connect VCR together, like a male and female do we need any special washer in between?

[alanle]

Originally Posted by zip70

Looking good Alanle...question for you...when you connect VCR together, like a male and female do we need any special washer in between?

Yes you need the metal gasket.


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[zip70]

Originally Posted by alanle

Yes you need the metal gasket.


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Can you show me what type? Ebay ?
Mine is 1/4.
Thank you.

[alanle]

Originally Posted by zip70

Can you show me what type? Ebay ?

Mine is 1/4.

Thank you.

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[psidriven]

hi alan, my buddy got a reg with solenoid set up from you to use with his calcfeeder which already has a solenoid. can i just remove the burket and connect the needle valve directly to the elbow from the reg? will the threads/fittings fit?

[alanle]

Originally Posted by psidriven

hi alan, my buddy got a reg with solenoid set up from you to use with his calcfeeder which already has a solenoid. can i just remove the burket and connect the needle valve directly to the elbow from the reg? will the threads/fittings fit?

Can you upload some pictures?


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[psidriven]

Can I connect the needle valve to the upper elbow? Also, can I connect
RO line to the needle valve instead of airline hose?

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[zip70]

what is inside here to hold the tube? my tube is 1/4 OD and 1/8 ID.

[LQT]

Originally Posted by zip70

what is inside here to hold the tube? my tube is 1/4 OD and 1/8 ID.

It’s the essentially the same way you attach a tube connection... in this case the 1/4” OD CO2 tubing acts like the the rigid tube adapter. Slip the ferrule (the cone and ring) over the CO2 tubing and cinch it down with the nut.

[zip70]

Originally Posted by LQT

It’s the essentially the same way you attach a tube connection... in this case the 1/4” OD CO2 tubing acts like the the rigid tube adapter. Slip the ferrule (the cone and ring) over the CO2 tubing and cinch it down with the nut.

I tried but it kept falling off.

[LQT]

Hand tighten, then use a small wrench or pliers and give it a one and one quarter turn. That will compress the ferrule around the CO2 tubing and lock it on. Make sure as you do the 1-1/4 turn, that the CO2 tubing is inserted all the way in.