View Full Version : Regulator not working?
naturegrl
02-12-2009, 4:54 PM
Just hooked up my new co2 system a week ago.
Using new Aquatek dual guage regulator/selenoid/needlevalve. Heres a picture. this is not my own picture but it is the regulator I have:
80472
Today I notice the guage that is supposed to read the tank pressure is showing almost empty. I took the tank back in to fill it and find out what happened. They said the main connector from regulator to tank was not tight enough-leaking. So I bring it back home, hook it back up, open main valve, slowly open needle valve to the desired bps. The tank pressure meter is still reading only about 600(inside set of numbers). The output pressure seems to be stuck. It never moved when I shut everything off and disconnected it. Now that it is reconnected, it is in the same place -- about 30.
I'm new to this, does this sound right?
One more question. The person at the tank refill place said I had to open the main tank valve all the way, while the directions for the regulator says not to--only a few turns. Which should I do?
When i filled the main tank pressure was at 800. You can open the tank all the way as long as the low pressure gauge is closed completely. If its open you will quickly learn whats a blown gauge :) .
Most run their low pressure at 15-20 though. Not familiar with this particular regulator so cant really tell you where to control the low pressure with the regulator, perhaps theres a slot somewhere on the regulator to control it with a screwdriver?
naturegrl
02-12-2009, 6:03 PM
Uh, oh.
I don't know what the low pressure guage is. The one on the right is labeled the "working pressure" I assumed that one was adjusted with the needle valve.
Maybe someone can post pics of the regulator that you are talking about and I can see if I can find something similar on this one?
the gauge on the left is the tank pressure aka high pressure gauge. The gauge on the right is the low pressure gauge and is pressure at which the gas will enter the tank. The needle valve further more controls the gas pressure and sets the precise bubble rate.
On most regulators the high pressure is controlled by the main tank valve.
The low pressure is controlled by the regulator knob/valve.
Heres an example of a milwaukee regulator which has the low pressure valve (black knob in the center)
http://forum.aquatic-gardeners.org/files/l_ma957_20co2_20reg_110.jpg
Like i said most regulators have a knob or a slot where you can control the low pressure gauge. If yours doesnt then i guess its okay and could be that the regulator is already set to stay always at 30. I believe that this is the case with your regulator since like you said in the instructions it said not to open the tank valve all the way (as to not blow the gauges)
naturegrl
02-12-2009, 9:34 PM
Thanks for that Bk. Nothing like that on this regulator.
one other thing that has me puzzled is that the person at the filling place thought that the leak was because I hadn't opened the main all the way(that was before they took it back and found the leak at the connector). Like it had to be "open tight" to work properly.
Why would that be?
What is the little black button on the under side of the solenoid for?
Anyone else have any experience with these Aquatek regulators? I'm not having much luck finding any info online.
Bk718
02-12-2009, 10:31 PM
there shouldnt be a leak if the tank is fully or half way open. After you connect everything make sure to test for leaks using the soapy water method.
not sure what the black button is..
looney417
02-13-2009, 2:38 AM
HAHAHAH!.....i learned what a blown guage was, i installed it via directions the first time, when i went to refill it a year later, i didnt' remember anything fancy. so closed the low pressure guage? and opened the "tank valve"?
my guage is still broken, is there a cheap way to fix it? (and whats the correct way to fix it?) also, am i really suppose to change my plastic o ring everytime i do a refill?
Bubbles2112
02-13-2009, 8:53 AM
Good question on the 'O' ring and refills. I was wondering if they had to be changed everytime the tank is filled to. :confused:
naturegrl
02-13-2009, 9:50 AM
Looney, what regulator are you using?
Any Aquatek people?....
Star_Rider
02-13-2009, 9:53 AM
Thanks for that Bk. Nothing like that on this regulator.
one other thing that has me puzzled is that the person at the filling place thought that the leak was because I hadn't opened the main all the way(that was before they took it back and found the leak at the connector). Like it had to be "open tight" to work properly.
that depends on the tank valve. some valves seal the cap when the valve is 'open tight'
not sure of pressurized CO2 but plumbing valves and some tank valves with propane work that way. easy to test for leaks tho..soapy water