There was a link........

[60Cubed]

There was a link in one of these threads a while back and it was for the in-line solenoid valves for 1/4" tubing using John Quest fittings. Does anybody know the name of the website?

LMK
Lance

[kenargo]

These:

http://www.autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm

[60Cubed]

Yes. Thanks.

Do you think these could be used on Co2 tubing and hold the pressure without leaking?

I have an idea on how to put one in-line with my Co2 in case of a solenoid malfunction. But it will have to hold air pressure to work.

[kenargo]

What are you using C02 for? If you're just controlling a reactor then you could set an alarm condition to catch when the C02 sticks ON; the reactor PH would drop below your set point (by a LOT)! That way you wouldn't need to use the solenoid for C02 but if you wanted to I would vote to get a (real) C02 solenoid, these might get brittle or fail because of the gas.

Just my $.02...

[60Cubed]

The problem is if the Co2 solenoid sticks you cannot stop the flow of Co2 without having a manual valve in-line after the solenoid. I am running a ph probe inside my reactor. If the solenoid sticks on I'm screwed! This could be my answer if the valve sticks on this valve could be turned off.

They make these valves out of brass and stainless steel. I might try one of those for this application.

[kenargo]

I found a (real) C02 valve, which would be guaranteed to work at Marine Depot (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~~action~view~idProduct~CO3171~idCategory~FICORERP~category~Replacement_CO2_Sol enoid_For_CO2_Regulator_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_CO2_CO2_Regulators_Replacement_Parts~vendor~.htm l). It's only $10 more. I'd be concerned that the water valves wouldn't seal well enough for a gas but I guess you could email the company and see what they think.

[60Cubed]

I see that they only hold a 90psi anyway. That isn't enough for the Co2 at full pressure. I will buy a metal body valve with compression fittings. That would be the only safe way to set this up.

Lance

[itZme]

Your Co2 at the reactor should be less than 20 lbs of pressure. At the Co2 tank the regulator may see much more but you have a regulator to bring it way down or you would have to have some steel braided hoses to the reactor and then it would blow a huge burst whenever the controller opened the solenoid.

Maybe you were talking about something else or just forgot about the second guage on the regulator.

[60Cubed]

Oh yeah you are correct. I still want more than a john quest fitting on my air line. I want more protection than that.

[itZme]

The way I set mine up is so that even if the Co2 is on constantly the PH in my reactor hovers around 6.45 or so. If the electronic solenoid on the regulator sticks open it will just run with the PH a little lower than desired. If the solenoid sticks closed it will slowly climb back toward the actual tank PH until I notice. I guess I could just put an alarm or email msg if it hits either extreme and then it would run no more than a few hours until I saw notification and fixed the problem.

A second inline solenoid might be a good idea but a good needle valve will restrict it enough to keep any trouble minimized.

I use the black flexible airline that is Co2 safe so it doesn't get brittle like RO tubing or regular airline would. I don't think it is stiff enough to use with JG fittings and could blow out. I would trust a barbed fitting a little more. Something like this.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2811/needlevalvecs2.jpg

[60Cubed]

I hear ya. I just want some CYA in case I'm MIA when the problem arises!