Deal or Dud....CO2 setup....

[dave76]

Allow me to preface this post by saying the majority of my co2 experience is DIY co2 sugar/yeast. I was browsing the bone yard at a local store and found this item for sale. It appears to be a CO2 bottle meant for a paint ball gun with regulator attached. The price is very low but it is only the bottle and regulator.

I know that most people with pressurized co2 will say that this is not worth the effort, but I am on a strict budget and spending a lot on a pressurized system is not an option at this point.

here are the pics of the system.

What you see is what you get with this setup. I am guessing the valve on the side of the brass fitting above is how you open the bottle.

My questions are as follows.

Has anyone successfully used such a setup?

What additional hardware would have have to purchase? Diffusion is covered. Would it take some kind of a non standard needle valve?

Would the cost of said hardware exceed $40.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ozymandias]

well not familiar with that specific set up but the reason most people don't like the paint ball CO2 stuff is because it's small an not really practical except on smaller tanks. if it is how i think it's saposted to be set up you defiantly need a needle/metering valve like this one. basically it goes in line separate from the body of the regulator but. another thing thats not needed but helpful is a solenoid again i think it needs to be inline but not sure.

btw how much is the regulator?

 

[dave76]

Bottle and regulator are $15. I would be putting it on a 29 gallon. I don't know about you but I consider that a small tank. I didn't see the link for the needle valve or solenoid so if you can please post it again. I am familiar with the hardware on other pressurized systems. I was more concerned about what I might need with this particular setup and if it would even be attainable.

 

[Ozymandias]

well to be honest i would pick it up for $15 just so i could mess with it. small tanks for me are basically anything under 20 gallons it could still work but it would require constant refills compared to regular regulators and larger CO2 cylinders not saying it's not a bad idea (especially for that price) just keep that mind.

here are the links i was talking about, there probably not the cheapest because i just looked them up really quickly but it gives you an idea of what you need and what to look for.

http://www.aquabotanicstore.com/Fabco_inline_needle_valve_p/nv55.htm

http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=942

 

[rocker92]

that is about all you get with the system. i have the piece that goes on the bottle, the tubing, and the diffuser, i also have a bubble counter. the high pressure gauge is thrown out of wack, but you wouldnt need it anyway. (co2 keeps a constant pressure, untill the liquid is gone, sorta like propane.)


ill sell it for 15 shipped if you want it, it doesnt come with a paint ball canister, but it would be good for robbing parts if you need them.

 

[dave76]

that is about all you get with the system. i have the piece that goes on the bottle, the tubing, and the diffuser, i also have a bubble counter. the high pressure gauge is thrown out of wack, but you wouldnt need it anyway. (co2 keeps a constant pressure, untill the liquid is gone, sorta like propane.)


ill sell it for 15 shipped if you want it, it doesnt come with a paint ball canister, but it would be good for robbing parts if you need them.

How often did you have to get it refilled?

edit it didn't feel empty either

 

[Ozymandias]

well it depends on how much you use of the CO2 cant tell you off the top of my haed how long that one will last but i know when i had my 30 gallon tank i used a 5lb cylander and when though that in 6 months. where as that tank looks like maybe 8oz or so (not to certain with paint ball tank sizes) so it would probably be realtivly quickly so you might be able to get a month to half a month out of it.