C02 Gauge/Reactor Help :(

jlehigh · Jul 5, 2005

Hey everyone... I am hoping someone can help me out.

Calcium Reactor - Korralin 1502
Gauge/solenoid - Milwaukee with bubble counter
Reactor fed via up-lifter pump

Problem 1:
I have a Milwaukee (sp?) gauge with electronic solenoid valve. After following the instructions provided the preasure gauge read over 40 psi before even tightening the valve! The instructions claim you should keep the preasure at 10psi... For the life of me I could not get the gauge to read lower. Loosened the valve all the way, ensured the needle valve was open and the solenoid was turned on and open.

I was only wable to get gas to show in the bubble counter when passing 60 psi and then it still wasnt consistent and would stop...

I turned the gas off, completely removed the gauge and still have a 40 psi reading.

Problem 2:
With issues feeding the calcium reactor gas I thought maybe the reactor had an issue. For the life of me I could not get gas through the brass check valve. I unplugged the input to the valve and CO2 instanly began bubbling in the bubble counter. I removed the brass check valve alltogether and was able to blow air (with my mouth) into the reactor.. So it would seem the brass valve is not passing gas (no pun intended).

Any thoughts on either issue here?? I went through my the rest of my kalk and two part so fast... I really need to get this up and running..

Kensn · Jul 5, 2005

If the guage is showing 40 lbs and it is removed from the unit, the gauge is faulty. You should be able to pick up a replacement fairly easy. I would replace the gauge and try again with proper pressure. Bring the gauge with you when you buy a replacement to verify condition andmatch style and thread. If you can blow through the check valve is likely to be fine.

ken

jlehigh · Jul 5, 2005

Thanks Ken. I'll take it to the local gas shop.

Any ideas on how I can verify my brass check valve isn't damaged? or is functional?

Kensn · Jul 5, 2005

If you can blow through it, the direction the gas goes through it , and can't blow through it in the opposite direction it is likely to be ok. Bring it with you when you get the valves and have them check it for you. Be carefull when putting everything back together, pick up some teflon tape or whatever the shop tells you to use to get good seals, and check for leaks.

Hope this is heplfull

Ken

jlehigh · Jul 5, 2005

Very helpful! Thanks Ken. I think a faulty check valve caused too much preasure build up and possibly damaged the gauge. I could not blow either direction through the valve..

This was one of those cases where experience would have saved me allot of head scratching...

Kensn · Jul 5, 2005

It is not unusual not to be able to blow through a check valve. Hard for us to generate any real pressure. Need to check with some sort of regulated pressure to check for propper operation. It just may need more pressure to operate then you can "Blow" into it.

Ken