For our purposes of co2 injection, should i be looking for low, medium, or high flow rate needle/metering valves?
Has anyone seen any good deals on needle valves lately?
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For our purposes of co2 injection, should i be looking for low, medium, or high flow rate needle/metering valves?
Has anyone seen any good deals on needle valves lately?
Last edited by thrak76; 12-23-2009 at 05:08 PM.
Guru Class Expert
It depends. For our purposes, most of the low or medium flow rate metering valves will work fine.Originally Posted by thrak76
Here is an excellent deal I saw on eBay. Unfortunately for me, the shipper does not appear to ship outside of the US.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Swagelok-B-4MA-B...=item1c6801536
You will also need the following Swagelok part to adapt it to your standard NPT threading:
http://www.swagelok.com/search/produ...art=B-4-TA-1-2
Guru Class Expert
The guy on ebaY that has the B-4MA medium flow metering valves has already sold 57 of them!
I ordered 3 eight days ago and I haven't received them yet. I know that he has shipped them, but I don't know when he shipped them. The USPS tracking system has been down all day, so I can't check.
Here is a new stainless steel Parker 1/8" female NPT straight through metering valve with a Vernier handle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
This is a new stainless steel Swagelok 1/8" tubing fittings straight through metering valve with a Vernier handle.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Prolific Poster
Do you think that the B-4MA valve is sufficient then? That is a very nice price. I could definitely buy more than one at that price.
The others you reference below are a little more spendy, but if i am going to get more reliable results, and long life out of them, i'd definitely opt for something like it. I definitely dig the Vernier handles on them.
USPS tracking always stinks! Usually for me, i get most of the information on the day it's delivered.
Guru Class Expert
The Swagelok B-4MA is more than sufficient, if you want you can order the vernier handle kit for it also.
The Parker 2F-NLL-BN-SS-V Left C mentioned is a nice valve but the NL series are high flow valves which won't give as fine control. The Parker NS or NM series would work better. Here is a link to info on the Parker N series valves: http://www.plesner.as/mod/products/upload/4170-N.pdf
I am awaiting my 3 Parker metering valves, the part number is 2F-H3L-V-SS-TC and here is a link to some info on the Parker HR series valves: http://www.parker.com/literature/Ins...R,%20Aug02.pdf
Last edited by S&KGray; 12-24-2009 at 03:51 AM.
Prolific Poster
That is a very good metering valve. I have two similar models in the 1/8" MNPT version,. I have them solid mounted with JBJ Bubble Counters. I adjusted them at setup and again when I changed diffusion methods, that's it. Very Reliable!
At that price even with the purchase of the tube adapters it is still a really good deal.
Guru Class Expert
You already know what parts are required to attach the regulator to the solenoid and the solenoid to the manifold, right?
You're right. The adapter's nipple does go into the metering valve.
Everything up to the B-4-TA-1-2's is correct. Using the adapter design that you picked out is made for 1/8" OD tubing which is too small. The three most common CO2 tubing's OD's that we use are: 6mm, 3/16" and 1/4".
You need the Brass Swagelok Tube Fitting, Reducer, 1/4 in. x 1/4 in. that you picked. The smaller diameters parts (3/16 in., 6mm) do not have a similar part available.
Brass Swagelok Tube Fitting, Reducer, 1/4 in. x 1/4 in. Tube OD: http://www.swagelok.com/search/produ...part=B-400-R-4
You will also need a Tubing Insert, 1/4 in. OD x 1/8 in.
B-405-2: http://www.swagelok.com/search/produ...x?part=B-405-2
Brass Swagelok Tube Fitting, Reducers, 1/4 in. x 6mm Tube OD and 1/4 in. x 3/16 in. Tube OD aren't available
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Here is another way to attach the tubing. 1/4 in. Male NPT, 1/8 in. Brass Hose ID Barbed Hose (Tubing) Fitting:
B-2-HC-1-4
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
You will need an elbow connected your regulator to get the 180° positioning of the metering valve and an adapter to attach the BC.
This is the simplest way to do it:
- To mount the JBJ BC to the MV, remove the adapter(s) that is on the "top" of the metering valve and replace it with a Brass Swagelok Tube Fitting, Male Tube Adapter, 1/4 in. Tube OD x 1/8 in. Male NPT:
http://www.swagelok.com/search/produ...art=B-4-TA-1-2
The BC needs to be at a 90° angle to the floor so that the liquid in the BC will be at a 90° angle.
Many regulators have the outlets at 6 o'clock and 7 o'clock. Some have the outlet at 9 o'clock. The position of the outlet determines if you are using a JBJ BC.
This is a simple list of regulators and their outlet positioning that I have seen.
- 6 o'clock position: Micro Matic, Cornelius and others
- 7 o'clock position: many of the following companies have the outlet at the 7 o'clock position (They also have models that mount in other positions as well.) Smith, Victor, Matheson and more
- 9 o'clock position: many of the high purity regulators from various companies such as Victor, Concoa, etc. that have stainless steel diaphragms
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _
Do you have your regulator already? If you do, let me know and I'll help.
Left C
Last edited by Left C; 12-28-2009 at 02:10 AM.
Prolific Poster
I also ordered some of those B-4MA valves. Did you receive yours yet, Left C?
To adapt the 1/4 tube fitting, you just place the B-4-TA-1-2 nipple into the fitting already attached to the valve? That makes a solid connection?
The tube fittings on those valves have me slightly confused. The tube inserts go inside the tube fittings, and then the nut is tightened down around the tube?
It will probably make more sense when i have the valves in my hand, but i don't want to waste money on the wrong fittings/adapters.
Guru Class Expert
He didn't ship my valves until 12/24. I paid for them on 12/16. I'm glad that I'm in no hurry.
These adapters come in male or female and brass or stainless steel. These are the stainless steel ones.
Here is some safety info about the adapters plus a video that shows you how to assemble it.
http://www.swagelok.com/fittings/tub...s_training.htm
Those valves and the adapters for them confused the heck out of me too. There are two ferules inside the nut on these little parts hold it in place. You can see the hole in the nut to put the adapter's end in it. Be sure to go over the Additional Resources near the bottom of the page. Pay very close addition to the video. You may have to view it more than one time. "1¼ turns"
info and links with Additional Resources and video: http://www.swagelok.com/fittings/tub...s_training.htm
Video: http://www.swagelok.com/FittingInstallVideo.htm
EDIT: As per Anthony's conversations with a Swagelok rep; if you have a brass (chrome plated brass) valve, get the brass adapters and if you have a stainless steel valve, get the stainless steel adapter.
Last edited by Left C; 01-12-2010 at 06:44 PM. Reason: Impotatant information added.
Prolific Poster
Thanks for the links. I noticed that it said for 1/8" tubing, that it only required a 3/4 turn. It makes sense now after seeing that video. I just need to see the pieces in my hand now, for "ultimate comprehension".
It would be nice if the valves just had NPT fittings; but, oh well. At that price, who can be choosy?
So the seller waited more than a week to ship the valves... He needs to edit his item page then, where it says "usually ships within 1 business day after receiveing cleared payment". I too, am not in a hurry, but i do get anxious!
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