This is my build thread which is a continuation from my Q&A thread found here: http://www.barrreport.com/showthread...-Solenoid-Help
Firstly I'd like to say thank you to Left C for his great advice and for taking the time to answer lots of my questions!
This thread is aimed mainly at any British/European aquarists out there as most of the excellent build threads have been written by Americans who not only have a far greater selection of dual stage regulators to choose from but also use a different standard of threads and connections than us Brits!
In the UK any CO2 regulators suitable for our use will likely come with BSP connections.
BSP (British Standard Pipe)
BSPP (British Standard Pipe Parallel)
BSPT (British Standard Pipe Tapered)
We may encounter threads or fittings designated as G/Threads, e.g G1/8.
G/ are imperial 'PARALLEL' fittings and are exactly the same standard as BSPP, which means a male threaded G1/8 fitting (for example) will perfectly fit a 1/8" BSPP female threaded fitting.
Male G/BSPP can 'ONLY' be used with female G/BSPP!
When connecting G/BSPP fittings together a leak free seal is formed when the fittings are screwed together and finally compress against a washer/gasket (dowty washer etc. which won't come supplied with the fitting).
We may also encounter threads or fittings designated as R/Threads, e.g R1/8.
R/ are imperial 'TAPERED' fittings and these are also the exact same standard as BSPT, which means a male threaded R1/8 fitting (for example) will perfectly fit a female threaded 1/8" BSPT fitting.
Male R/ unlike male G/ can be used not only on female tapered threads but also on female parallel threads for 'LOW' pressure applications only (e.g. attaching a male R/BSPT fitting into a female G/BSPP solenoid valve port connection) as long as PTFE tape is used!
With R/BSPT a leak free seal is achieved when the male/female tapered threads become tighter and tighter on themselves as a result of being screwed together (in conjunction with PTFE tape)!
BSPP/G Threads have a parallel form in accordance with ISO 228, (which means ISO 228 and BSPP/G will fit together), Swageloks ISO/parallel fittings for example are ISO 228 which will fit our BSPP connections.
BSPT/R Threads have a tapered form in accordance with ISO 1/7, (which means ISO 1/7 and BSPT/R will fit together), Swageloks ISO/tapered fittings for example are ISO 1/7 which will fit our BSPT connections.
Americans generally use NPT on their regulator setups which are tapered fittings, NPT isn't compatible with R/BSPT and will 'NOT' fit our R/BSPT connections so don't bother attempting it, there are a few exceptions to this rule that 'CAN' fit together but for the connection sizes we use it's irrelevant anyway!
Onto the Build:
I decided to go with a 2 bar (30 psi) BOC 8500 regulator as it's readily available in the UK, dual stage, has an adjustable working pressure, has three O'Clock inlet and nine O'Clock outlet connections and uses UK Industry, standard connections.
The inlet connection is BS 341 No 8, which is the same specification as DIN 477 No 6 that's used throughout Europe (a regulator with a BS 341 No 8 inlet connection will fit a CO2 cylinder with a DIN 477 No 6 connection or vice versa).
It comes with a reducing 1/4" to 3/8" BSPT outlet that screws directly into the 1/4"/BSPT female thread on the regulator body (I received conflicting information from several sources regarding this thread type and had been previously advised that it was NPT, BSPT and BSPP, but I confirm it's definitely a BSPT thread connection!).
IMAG0022.jpg
IMAG0011.jpg
IMAG0010.jpg
IMAG0012.jpg
IMAG0024.jpg
I won't be receiving my fittings from Swagelok for some time so that part of the thread will be delayed for a while but I'll be updating for the Burkert solenoid part of the thread either today or tomorrow?
Reply With Quote
Plus, I look forward to learning, too!
Bookmarks