Need some help setting up the CO2 regulator

[bimmer01]

Folks, I recently purchased a new GEO 618 reactor with a CO2 tank, milwaukee regulator and a solenoid setup. I hooked up everything correctly but i'm having trouble getting the pressure set on the CO2 tank. The gauge on the regulator reads 50-55PSI for the tank pressure. But 0 PSI for the operating pressure. I tried turning the black knob to increase CO2 pressure to the reactor but it makes a hissing noise (similar to gas coming out). Any ideas?

I've read every single how-to-guides and manuals and still scratching my head.

 

[juiceguy]

i am not familiar with the Milwaukee gauge but most CO2 regulators are similar: tank pressure which is the amount of CO2 in the tank should be around 800psi. the working pressure is the amount of CO2 being delivered should be set to around 20psi. if you turn the valve to far, it has a safety relief so you may have released all your CO2 from the tank.

once setup at 20psi, you use the needle valve to adjust the rate of CO2 delivered.....that is where you count the bubbles.

 

[bimmer01]

Actually, the reg reads 1000PSI for the tank pressure and working pressure is still 0 PSI.

 

[ming]

There's a knob in the middle, between the 2 guages where you can adjust the working pressure.

 

[regal]

Do you have the needle valve wide open? If the gas is coming out fast with the needle valve wide open, you may not get any pressure reading. You can try to put the gas tubing under water and see how fast the gas is coming out just to confirm every thing is working. Then use your bubble counter as a guide to adjust the needle valve to a desired bubble count.

 

[bimmer01]

When I turn the knob clockwise, it has a hissing noise as if the CO2 is leaking. Therefore I'm forced to turn it counter clockwise which sets the working pressure to 0 PSI.

I do have a bubble counter which is set to 1 bubble per sec.

 

[pecan2phat]

Is the solenoid plugged in?

 

[ming]

How do you know its 1 bubble per second if the working pressure is 0?

Can you tell where the air is leaking from? Is the hissing sound a slight hiss (like from the needle valve), or a loud hiss (safety valve)?

 

[bimmer01]

Yes, the solenoiod is plugged in and powered on.

I have 2 bubble monitors. One on the Geo618 reactor and another one connected to the regulator. Both has bubbles created once per second.

I hear a loud hiss from the safety valve.

 

[roc5288]

Try bypassing the counter on the reactor, and only use the counter on the regulator, and see if that works. There is no need for two bubble counters. Don't no if this is the problem without having it in front of me. But we have to start somewhere. Also make sure every time you plug the solenoid in the black knob is turned all the way to the left or you will damage the needle vavle.

 

[pecan2phat]

It almost sounds like the regulator is blown from not having it intially closed when the tank pressure was opened up.

 

[roc5288]

The regulator should be opened all the way before you open the tank, Then turn on regulator slowly to the pressure desired.This way you don't damage needle valve.

 

[pecan2phat]

If you have the regulator open, and you open the tank valve, this will probably blow out the regulator's diafram.

1) Make sure you have the plastic o-ring threaded on.
2) The regulator knob (black) should be turned counter clockwise until it's loose or when you feel no pressure on the knob but don't fully unscrew the knob.
3) Slowly open the Co2 tank valve until fully opened.
4) This will be indicated on your left gauge as how much gas is in the tank
5) Plug your electrical cord for the solenoid into an AC outlet.
6) Open the needle valve fully by turning counter clockwise.
7) Use the regulator knob (black) by turning clockwise very slowly (1/8th of a turn or less) until you get a reading on the right guage of 10 psi.
8) Start closing (clockwise) your needle valve until you get your desired bubble count.