View Full Version : How to connect Solenoid Valve to CO2?
Skittyfish
04-09-2003, 3:58 PM
Can somebody tell me how to put the Solenoid Valve onto the CO2? I can't figure it out. TIA
Skittyfish
04-09-2003, 4:40 PM
Anybody?
125gJoe
04-10-2003, 1:03 AM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I know..I thought it was mysterious too! :)
The valve itself is just an on/off switch. Make sure you have "check valves" inline with your Co2. The check valves prevent water from entering the solenoid.
Timing of the solenoid is controlled by a separate timer. You can get these plastic timers in most hardware stores. They are inexpensive..
Hope this has helped, but ask more if you like..
What kind of system is it?
The solenoid valve goes inbetween the regulator and the needle valve/output nipple as pictured here:
http://www.jbjlighting.com/images/RelProdRegulator.jpg
Skittyfish
04-10-2003, 7:37 AM
I have an Aqualine Solenoid and a Regulator from ?. Anyway the Solenoid won't attach directly to the regulator. I have to find some part! Somehow I have to do this without help from hubby as he is working constantly at the moment. Yes, I know I could wait for him to have some time off, but really, do you think he is going to want to spend time at Lowe's looking for a part. Duh, of course Lowe's has tools, but I will only need one or two parts, not $100 worth of stuff to supposedly put it on with.
Sorry, last trip to Lowe's with my husband was, well, not peaceful.
Thanks, I needed to know where to put the Solenoid and now I do. Now, if I can just figure out how to get it there....
Any chance of you posting a close-up photo of your regulator and solenoid so we could get a better idea of what you're dealing with?
Originally posted by Skittyfish
...last trip to Lowe's with my husband was, well, not peaceful.
We're guys - it's what we do. :p :p
Skittyfish
04-10-2003, 12:17 PM
Ok. I put the pictures on (click pictures at bottom). I would pu them right here, but someone would have to explain step by step how to do that.
Last time we went to Lowe's I bought a $.40 connector piece and he bought an Air compressor. Hmmm, something wasn't quite right with that. Now I have a $60 Solenoid. I am catching up:p .
I don't know about the solenoid but Sadie's a cutie.
Boy that regulator looks familiar............
Len
Skittyfish
04-10-2003, 6:58 PM
Djlen--I know Sadie is a cutie. She knows it too!:rolleyes: . I imagine the regulator does look familiar (you've got the same, huh!). I got my reactor going today. It is amazing! No bubbles, and the plants pearl with a kh 65ppm and a ph of 6.9. Only one bubble every 2-3 seconds. Before I was having to use about 3-4 bubble per second to hold the ph at 6.7 and then was getting very little pearling, only late in the afternoon maybe an hour befor lights out.
If I find the part for the Solenoid that I need I will be sure to take a picture of it just in case you ever need to know what it is.
Which reactor did you get Skitty? Maybe I'll check it out.
Len
Skittyfish
04-10-2003, 10:24 PM
The AM CO2 External Reactor 1000 (BigAls aswo #15733) for $62.99 . Could of went to Lowe's or Home Depot and made the same thing for about $15 but to dang lazy. Now if only I can get my check valves to work. I have two on now and I am still afraid to turn of the CO2. (don't have solenoid on yet). First time I turned it off with only one check valve (probably in the wrong place) my bubble counter flooded. I think I will wait and work on it more tomorrow, too dark to see tonight:p . (by the way, my husband was VERY helpful in putting the reactor on, did it all by himself!)
Dabbler II
04-11-2003, 10:16 AM
Ok lets see if I can explane this :) If you look at the Solenoid there should be an arrow on the main body of the valve to show you the gas flow direction. The valve has 2 hose conections on it right? ....Ok you should be able to turn the one off on the IN side of the valve and if i thnik it should be either 1/8 or 1/4 NPT (pipe therad). then you should be able to thread it with a short peice of threaded brass pipe, this you should be able to get at Lowe's or home dept. If you have a good store you could take both to the store with youand have one of the staff help you pick out the part.
I hope this helps
Skittyfish
04-11-2003, 10:56 AM
*sigh* Yes my dear and helpful husband is going to take the regulator off and take it and the solenoid to Lowe's and see what he can find. Going to cost me though:rolleyes: . Nothing is done for free anymore. Hopefully Lowe's will have the part because the only other place will be closed by the time he gets home.
Yes, I could take it off myself and drive the 5 minutes to Lowe's, but then I would have to go out for lunch with my sister and stop at Wal-Mart and.... Anyway, probably cheaper to send him anyways.
It does have an arrow by the way. Thanks for the help!