Re: [AGA Member] CO2 regulator question or -- Irregular regulation

[david <hipchack@yahoo.com>]

The pops occurred when I was readjusting the output of
the regulator. They occur very quickly ( <1 second). I
do not know if they are correlated with the bubble
rate but will have to check. The regulator runs
smoothly overall. The "pops" only occur when I am
adjusting the output knob.  The hissing stops when I
am decreasing the output knob. It is not loud but
become very audible when your ear is within a several
inches of the regulator.

david


--- "S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I doubt they're normal if they are due to something
> in the
> regulator causing them.
> 
> Regarding the pops of the needle, is this fast or
> slow. If
> it's momentary, is it in sympathy with the bubbles
> escaping
> from the CO2 line? Or does it rise slowly over
> several
> secdonds and then fall slowly over several seconds?
> 
> sh
> 
> --- david <hipchack@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > hmm... I see. I checked the gauges for leaks and
> they
> > also appear to be fine. I have been busy with
> school
> > lately and haven't been able to keep a close eye
> on my
> > aquariums. They're running in "automatic" mode
> (haha!)
> > right now. I will keep a close eye on the co2
> > regulator now though and the co2 levels in the
> > aquarium. If my co2 tank empties again I can
> assume
> > something is wrong with the regulator and try to
> > further test it out. 
> > 
> > Is there anything that would explain the "pops" I
> see
> > with the needle in the output gauge? Could this be
> due
> > to grit within the regulator? Is the "hissing"
> within
> > the regulator and these pops normal?
> > 
> > thanks,
> > david lim
> > 
> > 
> > --- "S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > Some diaphragms are made of metal (some
> stainless
> > > steel)
> > > and some use rubber, which is more likely to
> develop
> > > a
> > > leak. If a diaphragm is leaking, your regulator
> > > should have
> > > a hard time maintaining steady pressure. Also if
> the
> > > valve
> > > seats are imperfect (grit or whatever) the same
> > > thing can
> > > happen. In each of those cases you would either
> be
> > > sending
> > > the CO2 to the atmosphere or to the aquarium.
> > > 
> > > The gauges use, essentially, long curved brass
> > > balloons --
> > > when the pressure is greater, the balloons tend
> to
> > > straighten, which pushes the lever that moves
> the
> > > needle. A
> > > balloon could leak, which is why I suggested
> > > checking the
> > > valves.
> > > 
> > > Pure supposition, compared to the rock hard
> > > empiricism so
> > > far ;-): A fine crack in a diaphragm or balloon
> > > could allow
> > > gas to escape or flow too fast only for a short
> > > while-- as
> > > the metal moves it opens and closes the crack.
> But
> > > if
> > > enough is escaping into the aquarium to quickly
> > > empty the
> > > CO2 tnak, I don't see why it wouldn't raise the
> CO2
> > > level
> > > inthe aquarium.
> > > 
> > > A stumper. Hmmmmph!
> > > 
> > > sh
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- david <hipchack@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > > I have almost just covered the co2 regulator
> in
> > > soapy
> > > > water but found no leaks at this time. Most
> likely
> > > > there was a leak before, but it isn't there
> now.
> > > My
> > > > regulator and fittings are not glued together
> so
> > > at
> > > > times they can become loose. It was an
> experiment
> > > of
> > > > mine put together a dual stage regulator with
> two
> > > > swagelok metering valves. I plan to take apart
> the
> > > > apparatus in the future. However, I am a
> little
> > > > concerned with the regulator making the
> hissing
> > > noise
> > > > WITHIN the body of the regulator. Could it be
> one
> > > of
> > > > the stages are bad? I will apply soapy water
> > > around
> > > > the gauges to see if there is a leak in the
> casing
> > > or
> > > > anything. Thanks for the reply scott,
> > > > 
> > > > david lim
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > --- "S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > > > If your CO2 tank is emptying much too
> quickly
> > > and
> > > > > your
> > > > > Aquarium CO2 levels are running
> exceptionally
> > > higher
> > > > > than
> > > > > normal, then you must have a leak.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Did you check the gauges for leaks?
> > > > > 
> > > > > sh
> > > > > --- david <hipchack@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > > > > Hey all,
> > > > > > My co2 regulator is making a hissing noise
> and
> > > i
> > > > > was
> > > > > > wondering if it was normal? The hissing
> noise
> > > is
> > > > > > coming from within the regulator. Also
> when I
> > > > > decrease
> > > > > > the co2 regulator knob the noise will go
> away
> > > and
> > > > > once
> > > > > > the output reaches 10 psi the needle on
> the
> > > gauge
> > > > > will
> > > > > > pop back to 20 psi but fall straight back
> to
> > > 10.
> > > > > It is
> > > > > > a veriflo dual stage regulator. I checked
> for
> > > co2
> > > > > > leaks but could not find any. The reason I
> ask
> > > is
> > > > > > because this regulator went through a 5 lb
> co2
> > > > > tank
> > > > > > within a week, which sometimes occurs
> because
> > > a
> > > > > > fitting is loose. However, I replaced the
> tank
> > > and
> > > > > > checked the fittings and there are no
> leaks. I
> > > > > have
> > > > > > another co2 regualtor built by scott
> cerrata
> > > which
> > > > > > makes no noise whatsoever. thanks for the
> > > help,
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > david
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > __________________________________
> > > > > > Do you Yahoo!?
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and
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> 
=== message truncated ===


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