So in putzing around doing some tank maintenance, I dunderheadedly blew the 0-140 psi (second) gauge on my Milwaukee single stage. I'm looking at upgrading to a dual-stage, but want people's opinions on particular brands I should be looking at or if someone here as a used one rumbling around unused.
Decent 2-stage regulator. Need suggestions.
- Thread starter tolawdjk
- Start date
I'm partial to Victor two stage regulators. You will find that Victor makes regulators for other companies too. AGA, Linde, AirGas, and NuAire are just a few companies that sale "re-branded" Victor regulators. Do note that these companies may also sell other regulators made by other companies.
Here are some common Victor part numbers:
VTS20
VTS250
VTS253
7-0155
SGT500
HPT500
HPT270
GTP270
VTS450
VTS453
If I wanted to buy one today, I would get this refurbished VTS20. It is a little smaller than the more common VTS250/VTS253 models. This one needs the oxygen CGA nut and nipple changed to a CGA-320 for CO2 duty. It has a 0 to 100 psi low pressure gauge that will work well for our use. I would get a brass 00463938 Burkert solenoid with Buna-N seals and a 008 403 LED DIN cable plug. I would also get a brass Ideal V52-1-12 needle valve with a Vernier caliper handle. Here are some regulator build links from another forum that may be helpful. Do note that even though this regulator above is set up for oxygen duty, it will work well with CO2.
Here are some common Victor part numbers:
VTS20
VTS250
VTS253
7-0155
SGT500
HPT500
HPT270
GTP270
VTS450
VTS453
If I wanted to buy one today, I would get this refurbished VTS20. It is a little smaller than the more common VTS250/VTS253 models. This one needs the oxygen CGA nut and nipple changed to a CGA-320 for CO2 duty. It has a 0 to 100 psi low pressure gauge that will work well for our use. I would get a brass 00463938 Burkert solenoid with Buna-N seals and a 008 403 LED DIN cable plug. I would also get a brass Ideal V52-1-12 needle valve with a Vernier caliper handle. Here are some regulator build links from another forum that may be helpful. Do note that even though this regulator above is set up for oxygen duty, it will work well with CO2.
Thanks. I may pick go ahead and pick that up. I think I would just pull my solenoid off my milwaukee for the time being and go from there, as the wife was annoyed enough at me for breaking the first one (I think she suspects a "hey, I want something better, lets break what we have" gambit.)
Take at look at the regulator that aquariumplants.com made. No needle valve. No bubble counter. http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm
Can you turn the Milwaukee's pressure release valve some with a wrench so that it is actually loose in its threads? This way, when you turn on the CO2, it makes a hissing sound. Now you can tell your wife that it is actually broken. Sabotage! Good idea? :evil_lol:
Seriously though, we rarely see the VTS20's for sale and these are excellent for our use. If I needed one, I would certainly purchase it.
If you can get your Milwaikee's needle valve off as well as the solenoid, Fabco has a somewhat new version of its NV-55 needle valve with #10-32 ports. The new version has 1/8" NPT ports. It is a very good needle valve and about half the price of the Ideal. It is the NV-55-18. You can remove your stock Milwaukee needle valve and have one that is much better.
Ah, should have added that I am not using the milwuakee needle valve. I have a Fabco down line from it that I use. The Milwuakee is still there, it is just open all the way, so I have the bubble counter feeding to the needle valve. A bit backwards, but seemed to have decent control.
Great! I'm glad that you have done this simple mod.
Some people have reported that it is quite hard to remove the solenoid from the Milwaukee's regulator body because it is held on by Red Loctite. Many have used a bench vice for assistance.
Do you know that you should either unscrew the working pressure's knob or T-handle almost all the way counterclockwise before you turn on the CO2? This might of been the cause as to why your Milwaukee's low pressure gauge got broken.
Whenever I remove my regulators, I reduce the working pressure down to 0 psi if there is some pressure left in the CO2 cylinder. If the CO2 cylinder is empty, I turn the working pressure's knob or T-handle until it is almost all the way out like I mentioned above. You can leave the needle valve at its setting, if your wish, while doing this. Then, after I have replaced the CO2 cylinder, I open the CO2 cylinder's valve. After this, I reset the working pressure and adjust the needle valve if needed. If you happen to unscrew the knob or T-handle all the way out, there is no problem. Just screw it back it a bit.
It is harder to break a two stage regulator's low pressure gauge than the Milwaukee's, but it is still a good idea to follow the above practice.
Whenever I remove my regulators, I reduce the working pressure down to 0 psi if there is some pressure left in the CO2 cylinder. If the CO2 cylinder is empty, I turn the working pressure's knob or T-handle until it is almost all the way out like I mentioned above. You can leave the needle valve at its setting, if your wish, while doing this. Then, after I have replaced the CO2 cylinder, I open the CO2 cylinder's valve. After this, I reset the working pressure and adjust the needle valve if needed. If you happen to unscrew the knob or T-handle all the way out, there is no problem. Just screw it back it a bit.
It is harder to break a two stage regulator's low pressure gauge than the Milwaukee's, but it is still a good idea to follow the above practice.
Hi tolawdjk
Did you pick up a regulator? If not, here is a very nice, new, chrome plated high purity two stage regulator with stainless steel diaphragms and a 0 to 100 psi low pressure gauge. This one is a similar model, but it is used. It has a 0 to 60 psi low pressure gauge. Both need the stock CGA nut and nipple changed to a CGA-320. Also, this person sells them plus other regulator parts. He also has regulators for sale too. Here is the updated list.
- Left C
Did you pick up a regulator? If not, here is a very nice, new, chrome plated high purity two stage regulator with stainless steel diaphragms and a 0 to 100 psi low pressure gauge. This one is a similar model, but it is used. It has a 0 to 60 psi low pressure gauge. Both need the stock CGA nut and nipple changed to a CGA-320. Also, this person sells them plus other regulator parts. He also has regulators for sale too. Here is the updated list.
- Left C