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Unread 01/15/2015, 02:43 AM   #76
alanle
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How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

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Originally Posted by Dapg8gt View Post
I grabbed one of them =).. $20 shipped

Is the Burkett solenoid you have that much better than the ones that come on Milwaukee regulator's? I have a new Milwaukee that I can strip it off of if that's the case, if not I may need to get one from you..

The Burkert 6011a solenoid is made of stainless steel. It's designed for automation or laboratory use. The on/off life cycle is rated at 1 billion. You can pass it down to your grandkids lol.
You can read more about it here
http://us.burkert.com/products_data/...dard-US-EN.pdf



Last edited by alanle; 01/15/2015 at 02:48 AM.
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Unread 01/15/2015, 03:38 PM   #77
rynoe
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What metering valves are on the Matheson 3810 system that you built?


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Unread 01/15/2015, 03:57 PM   #78
alanle
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Those are the Whitey SS-22RS4 valves.
https://www.sierraic.com/SS22RS4


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Unread 01/15/2015, 04:04 PM   #79
rynoe
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Thanks. Excellent write up.


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Unread 01/16/2015, 12:56 AM   #80
alanle
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Just to give you an idea of how much a Burkert solenoid worth.:-)

http://m.ebay.com/itm/361186844239


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Unread 01/16/2015, 12:55 PM   #81
alanle
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Another needle valve that we can use for our purpose is the Ideal 54-1-11. The is a low flow and precise valve. Brass unit costs around $80 and stainless steel is $130. You have an option to have it chrome plated as well. This valve rarely shows up on surplus sites because the company is family owned and they don't make a lot. Remember the 54-1-XX model will work. Other models such as 54-2-xx, 54-3-xx are medium to high flow and they will be hard to control.

http://www.idealvalve.com/54-series-...le-valves.html



Last edited by alanle; 01/16/2015 at 01:51 PM.
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Unread 01/16/2015, 07:15 PM   #82
Farkwar
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Alan,

2 questions.

Most of my parts are in.

Is it common for the 1/8" threads to be really really tight on the 1/8" NPT Burkert 6011 solenoid?

I have the Hoke 1300 valve. The bubble counter I purchased has a different thread than the Output thread of the Hoke 1300. The thread on the Hoke output seems non standard, its a different pitch than all the other fittings I've got.

I cant visualize how the 3 parts go together(or if they even go together) in the Swagelok part you itemized in the first post. Are the three parts, one part number?

I'm going to be using the 1/4 tubing from my reactor to connect. Its just 1/4 water filter tubing, that fit MurLok or John Guest fittings.

TIA


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Unread 01/16/2015, 08:20 PM   #83
alanle
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How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Farkwar View Post
Alan,



2 questions.



Most of my parts are in.



Is it common for the 1/8" threads to be really really tight on the 1/8" NPT Burkert 6011 solenoid?



I have the Hoke 1300 valve. The bubble counter I purchased has a different thread than the Output thread of the Hoke 1300. The thread on the Hoke output seems non standard, its a different pitch than all the other fittings I've got.



I cant visualize how the 3 parts go together(or if they even go together) in the Swagelok part you itemized in the first post. Are the three parts, one part number?



I'm going to be using the 1/4 tubing from my reactor to connect. Its just 1/4 water filter tubing, that fit MurLok or John Guest fittings.



TIA

When you are putting together the system make sure you wrap some teflon tapes around the threads. You don't need to really tighten the joints. I usually do another 2 to 3 full turns after I feel the 2 ends resist. The swagelok is a single part. It comes with the 1/8 tube and 1/4 nut and ferrules. I'll post up some pictures on how to assemble this part. As for co2 tubing, you can go to your local hardware store and pick up a roll of 4ft for $5. They normally rated more than 55psi, so we are good. Just make sure it's 1/4 OD.


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Unread 01/17/2015, 02:15 PM   #84
alanle
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How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

I found a picture that someone on the planted tank forum posted. He got curious at what is inside the carbon doser "mystery" box so he opened it. This is what it looks like.



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Unread 01/17/2015, 02:26 PM   #85
Bryan
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The valve in the"mystery" box is just an electronic gas valve from Clippard "mouse series". I think the EC seires, pick the model that you wish for your setup, voltage, fittings, Just make sure it's NC
www.clippard.com

Keep meaning to pick one up and experiment. They are using some type of timer to control the valve. A simple 555 timer could do the same


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Unread 01/17/2015, 04:06 PM   #86
dnh828
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I have some questions on powering my becket valve. So I picked up a used one on ebay for $8 (woohoo!), the brass model, and it is apparently 12 vdc. I have a constant current LED water proof driver I was going to use with it. Any reason why that wouldn't work? And is connecting the ground important for these solenoids?


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Unread 01/17/2015, 10:11 PM   #87
Farkwar
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You want constant voltage not constant current.

12v transformers are $8-10 on Amazon.com


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Unread 01/17/2015, 10:16 PM   #88
Farkwar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan View Post
The valve in the"mystery" box is just an electronic gas valve from Clippard "mouse series". I think the EC seires, pick the model that you wish for your setup, voltage, fittings, Just make sure it's NC
www.clippard.com

Keep meaning to pick one up and experiment. They are using some type of timer to control the valve. A simple 555 timer could do the same
I wouldnt want a timer to control the pH.

I want a pH probe and controller controlling pH.

Your experiment seems like reinventing a lumpy wheel to me.


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Unread 01/18/2015, 01:38 AM   #89
Bryan
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The "mystery box" is a electronic valve that replaces the needle valve in a Co2 setup.


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Unread 01/18/2015, 02:05 AM   #90
Dapg8gt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Farkwar View Post
I wouldnt want a timer to control the pH.

I want a pH probe and controller controlling pH.

Your experiment seems like reinventing a lumpy wheel to me.
The point of the info is to give people a way to make an item that is highly regarded in the aquarium industry as one of the best ways to solidly control the c02 into a system. It's not inventing anything it's mimicking an expensive tool/item that a single company sells that is fairly expensive.


Alan/Bryan Thanks for the info I've always wondered what it was that controlled the aquarium plants regulator. Is that packing peanuts inside the box? lol


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Last edited by Dapg8gt; 01/18/2015 at 02:12 AM.
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Unread 01/18/2015, 04:01 AM   #91
Bryan
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Has sparked my interest again. I was working on a Arduino project to control the valve. OFF time adjustable from 0.1 to 10 seconds and a ON time adjustable from 0.1 to 2 seconds. Project was close to completion just never got around to buying the valve.

I do have to laugh at the quality of the company's build. Really, styrofoam peanuts !!


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Unread 01/18/2015, 01:05 PM   #92
crs751
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[ATTACH]DSCN1613.jpg[/ATTACH]Thought I'd post some photos of my completed regulator. I lucked out and found the regulator on eBay for $25 shipped. It was never used. Alanle helped me with the solenoid and needle valve. I'm pleased with the results. Hopefully this should last for many years to come. Many thanks to Alanle and all those posting here showing that you can build quality equipment without breaking the bank.


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Unread 01/18/2015, 01:21 PM   #93
crs751
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Here's another photo of the finished product. Not really savvy at posting photos on this site.

DSCN1615.jpg


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Unread 01/18/2015, 02:17 PM   #94
alanle
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crs751 View Post
[ATTACH]Attachment 304336[/ATTACH]Thought I'd post some photos of my completed regulator. I lucked out and found the regulator on eBay for $25 shipped. It was never used. Alanle helped me with the solenoid and needle valve. I'm pleased with the results. Hopefully this should last for many years to come. Many thanks to Alanle and all those posting here showing that you can build quality equipment without breaking the bank.

That is a sweet looking reg! You scored big on this regulator. This system will outlast you in the hobby Remember to put a check valve on your co2 tubing.


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Unread 01/18/2015, 02:23 PM   #95
alanle
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This is the stainless steel swagelok S series low flow valve. It has a vernier handle. The retail of this valve is ~$180 (on swagelok website). It's currently available on ebay for $40 shipped. This listing wont last long.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/281567928272


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Unread 01/18/2015, 02:58 PM   #96
dnh828
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Farkwar View Post
You want constant voltage not constant current.

12v transformers are $8-10 on Amazon.com
Forgive me, this is a constant VOLTAGE not constant current power supply. I saw those cheaper ones, I went with one that was waterproof for $18. http://amzn.com/B00FWO24US

The little wall warts might burn out or not like the water, and this one came with the power cable spliced on. It seems like a heavy aluminum clad power supply, so I'm hopeful it will last a long time.

I still need to find a cheap enough regulator though, but I'm in no huge rush to.


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Unread 01/18/2015, 06:25 PM   #97
crs751
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Yes Alan I have a check in line before the reactor and their is one in the bubble counter. I gotta take care of this one.


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Unread 01/19/2015, 08:47 PM   #98
Farkwar
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Mine so far


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Unread 01/19/2015, 10:33 PM   #99
Farkwar
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Trying to make pic snaller


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Unread 01/19/2015, 10:34 PM   #100
alanle
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Sweet reg. those liquid filled wikas are sexy


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