How to build a Victor VTS253b-320

Matt F.

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For those of you who want a chrome plated brass CGA 320 nut/nipple/stem, this place has them in stock for $27 shipped if you ask for it to be sent via USPS priority mail (small flat rate).

These come with a filter and are breat quality. I run these on all my chrome plated brass regulators. They are 3" long, so you have plenty of space.

http://www.jandrweldingsupply.com/store/Smith/SpecMenu.html

To order:

on the left of the screen, (black menu), scroll down till you see:
"Accessories
CGA Parts, Tube Fittings,
Replacement"

Click on this, and it wil bring you to the Smith CGA order page.
Just click on CGA 320 (nut $11) and CGA 320 (nipple $11).

Make sure to note you would like it shipped USPS flate rate small box; otherwise, you'll get it via UPS, which will cost more ($10).

Note: you'll have to pay the $32 upfront, but they will correct this after the order is placed once they switch from UPS shipping to USPS. The total you will pay is $27 ($11nut+$11nipple+$5 shipping).
 

Matt F.

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Here are the parts I listed. This is how they come:
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Matt F.

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here are all my rigs:
thetroops001.jpg


BHT 500-40-350-4M
thetroops002.jpg


BHT 500-125-296-DK
thetroops003.jpg


Matheson 8-580
thetroops004.jpg


SGT 500-125-330-DK
thetroops005.jpg


VTS253A-1993
thetroops006.jpg



I have one more BHT 500-125-296-DK (Red Knob) and a Heavy Duty VTS450E-580 on the way.
 

barbarossa4122

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Hi Matt,

From where did you buy the 1/4" mpt to 1/8" mpt nipple ? Home Depot do not have right now and I really need 2 of them. Can you sell me a couple if possible ?
 

Matt F.

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swagelok has these reducer nipples:

part numbers:

Brass: B-4-HRN-2
Stainless: SS-4-HRN-2

Swagelok supercedes any other fittings' quality on the market. It's worth the price over home depot, ace, or bigway.

I have one stainless in stock. pm me.

You could also do a male 1/4--->female 1/8 npt reducer bushing to a 1/8" male hex nipple.
 

barbarossa4122

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Matt F.;60628 said:
You could also do a male 1/4--->female 1/8 npt reducer bushing to a 1/8" male hex nipple.

Please forgive me but, can you explain more about doing this male 1/4................................:)
 

Matt F.

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If you look at these two BHT 500s, I have outfitted the post body with a 1/4" npt male x 1/8" female reducer bushing and a 1/8" npt hex nipple. Both are swagelok stainless components.
readyforco2003.jpg



You can either use a 1/4" npt x 1/8" npt male hex reducing nipple (part numbers listed above) or do it this way.
 

Matt F.

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Due to some recent interest in the specific part number of the parts used in the VTS253B-320 build, I have decided to list them so that all can benefit.

Originally I bought all my components from an online propane store. The quality of the parts were inferior and the shipping was total BS ($12 for a $2 part). The online ship kept $10 of the $12 they charged for shipping and handling on top of the cost of the part, so, if you do the math, they made $12 on a $2 part...doesn't make sense to me! Hence my decision to not use or support that site by listing them.

What I have found out through the process of building several of these regulators is that Swagelok parts are far superior to anything on the market as far as quality and finish. Of course they make parts for nuclear reactors! zero margin for error in some cases...lol

So, from the regulator the parts are:

B-4-HRN-2 (brass hex reducing nipple)

B-2-SE (street elbow)

B-2-HN (nipple)

Burkert Solenoid

B-2-HN (nipple)

Ideal Valve V52-1-12 (90* version w/ micrometer handle)

B-2C2-1/3 (check valve)

JBJ bubble counter.

All the part numbers that start with a "B" are to be found on the swagelok website. You can buy direct by creating an account. Shipping is only through UPS, so expect to pay for UPS ground. They take credit/debit cards, etc.
 

Matt F.

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barbarossa4122;61065 said:
Hi Matt,

I installed the stainless steel fitting you sent me. Thanks again.
037.jpg

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Glad you got it! Looks good.
Just wipe off that extra pipe dope! ;)
 

Matt F.

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That looks like it could be an older model number. Could be that Victor doesn't make it anymore. It's single stage regulator, so you won't get the benefits of a dual stage (constant output/working pressure as your tank pressure drops, etc.).

It's better quality than aquarium regulators, though. It's prob even better quality than what most are selling. The reason they don't go with victor, matheson, etc is that they can't make any money off of them. The material cost is so much,

So, if you want to convert it to CO2, I don't see a problem. Buy any normal 1/4" npt cga 320 nut/nipple (stem) fitting and that should work. If it's a large version with enough clearance, you can go with a shorter nipple.
 

Matt F.

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May 30, 2009
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Just to let you all know, I have decided to replace my leaking JBJ bubble counters with swagelok hose barbs and ADA bubble counters.
The JBJ check valves are known to fail. I had swagelok check valves in place in case they failed, but I fugure replace the weak links and have double the protection.

I'll update this thead with pics in the near future once installed.

parts for this modification, which will adapt to my ss-2c2/1/3 check valve:

ss-2-a
ss-400-1-2
ss-405-2

ADA glass bubble counter.