Dual Stage Regulators

[Left C]

Thank you thrak76! This DIY is excellent!!!!

[Left C]

OK. So, then my range of control on my current metering valve is very, let's say, subtle. I really don't notice much of a difference (if any)between wide open, and "closed". Is this because of it being a low-flow valve? Do you experience a highly noticeable change with your valves? I notice you use the Ideal valve a lot... do you have any Nupro/Swagelok valves in service? Would a medium-flow valve have a wider range of control?
I am able to use my solenoid to shut off the CO2, and i keep my working pressure at ~5 psi.

I'm using Ideals and medium flow Swageloks. I have some low flow, but I haven't used them.

You are the second person to say that their low flow Swageloks were too low for them. I suppose that part of this includes the bubble count and the bubbles' diameter. For smaller aquariums, it should be fine.

Anyway, I've found that medium flow Swageloks can be set at a very slow rate (2 to 4 bpm) or a much higher rate. These are the models that we should be using in most normal sized aquariums. I don't think that they will work for tiny or huge aquariums.

Have you tried increasing your working pressure to see if you can get more CO2 through the metering valve?

[Left C]

Swagelok metering valves vs. Swagelok needle valves ... Which one?

This question has been asked a few times. To the best of my knowledge, Swagelok's metering valves are better for our use instead of their needle valves. There is more control with their metering valves. Plus their metering valves come in low, medium and high flow models.
specs: http://www.swagelok.com/downloads/we.../MS-01-142.pdf

I'm sure as time goes on, we may find that some of their needle valves may work just fine.

[bradac56]

I'm using Ideals and medium flow Swageloks. I have some low flow, but I haven't used them.

You are the second person to say that their low flow Swageloks were too low for them. I suppose that part of this includes the bubble count and the bubbles' diameter. For smaller aquariums, it should be fine.

Anyway, I've found that medium flow Swageloks can be set at a very slow rate (2 to 4 bpm) or a much higher rate. These are the models that we should be using in most normal sized aquariums. I don't think that they will work for tiny or huge aquariums.

Have you tried increasing your working pressure to see if you can get more CO2 through the metering valve?

I hadn't really thought about that all I've ever bough were the dedium flow versions so I never knew there was a difference.
Thanks for the info.

- Brad

[Left C]

I hadn't really thought about that all I've ever bought were the medium flow versions so I never knew there was a difference.
Thanks for the info.

- Brad

From: http://www.swagelok.com/downloads/we.../MS-01-142.pdf

Here are some quick specs to give us an idea of the differences in 'magnitude.' These are for the straight flow models.

S series low pressure, low flow: 0 to 0.0040 Cv, 0.81 mm orifice, 1° stem taper

Ideal 52-1-12: 0 to 0.0190 Cv, 0.79 mm orifice, 1° 21' stem taper (angle flow valve specs)

M series low pressure, medium flow: 0 to 0.030 Cv. 1.42 mm orifice, 3° stem taper

L series low pressure, high flow: 0 to 0.160 Cv, 3.25 mm orifice, 6° stem taper

31 series high pressure: 0 to 0.040 Cv, 1.6 mm orifice, 2° stem taper

[thrak76]

You are the second person to say that their low flow Swageloks were too low for them. I suppose that part of this includes the bubble count and the bubbles' diameter. For smaller aquariums, it should be fine.

Anyway, I've found that medium flow Swageloks can be set at a very slow rate (2 to 4 bpm) or a much higher rate. These are the models that we should be using in most normal sized aquariums. I don't think that they will work for tiny or huge aquariums.

Have you tried increasing your working pressure to see if you can get more CO2 through the metering valve?

Now, i wouldn't say that my flow is too low. What i am saying though, is that the adjustment of the flow is too low. After adusting my working pressure, the changes affected by the metering valve are slim to none. So, if i bump my working pressure up, then it just flows right on through to the tank, without being able to clamp down on the metering valve sufficiently. As a result, i pretty much have adjusted my bubble rate on the cylinder.

I do have a medium flow valve in hand now. So i will change that out this weekend and post my results.

[Left C]

Your medium flow valve may be just perfect for you. They have a very wide usable range.

The Ideal 52-1-12 valves have 22 to 24 turns from closed to fully open where the Swageloks have around 10 turns.
http://idealvalve.thomasnet.com/item...-1128?&seo=110
see page 4: http://www.swagelok.com/downloads/we.../MS-01-142.pdf

[S&KGray]

Anyone else have any sources for CGA320 nuts/nipples?

Also, I removed these nipples from 2 different regulators. One is a CGA500 and has 1/4" male NPT end, the other is a CGA590 and 1/4" but I don't recognize the thread type. Would anyone be able to tell me what type of thread this is? I don't know if I will be able to find a CGA320 nipple with this thread.

Attachment 1242

I got a email reply from Matheson:

The inlet thread on a Model 8 regulator is 1/2" -27. We no longer carry CGA fittings or adaptors for 1/2" -27 threads.

For Matheson Tri-Gas,

Bill Staples

1/2"-27 it is.

[Left C]

I got a email reply from Matheson:



1/2"-27 it is.

What are you going to do now?

[S&KGray]

What are you going to do now?

I need to order a CGA-320 nipple with 1/2"-27 thread and a CGA-320 nut. See page 2, under CGA-320, part number CO-7 here: http://www.westernenterprises.com/en.../PDFS/wi21.pdf