Need help please

[barbarossa4122]

Hi,

I started my co2 an hr ago and this is what is going on;
In the beggining it worked fine with about 1 bubble/second but, now I am only getting like 1b/3.4 seconds no matter how I try to adjust the Fabco nv 55 valve. The atomic diffuser is working fine. My working pressure on the Victor235b is about 27psi. Can anyone please explain to me how to get more bubbles/second ? And, why is the diffuser is working the same with 1b/s or 1b/4s ?

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Visually check the bubble rate coming out of the needle valve, both before and after any check valve to ensure that the gas is controlled by the valve. Do this first to ensure the mechanical operation and to rule out any issues.

I don't know about atomizers and how they work, it is possible that they can only accept a max bubble rate or something? Just speculation.

Sure you don't have a leak somewhere from playing with it? Loose connection?

Hope this helps.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hey Gerryd,

It works much much better now. I guess it needed it a little time to settle. I getting 1b/s now which is enough for my 10g tank. GLA 45mm atomic diffuser works just fine........lots of mist spreading all over the tank. I guess a more powerful regulator would have been better for this diffusers. I am waiting for the drop checker to change color while I am working on the 2 tanks set up but, for this I am using a Victor 453b(monster). One more Q please : for the 10g I am using a Victor 253b but, I also have a Concoa 212. Do you think the Concoa will be better(more pressure) ?

Oh, I did the soapy water test............no leaks.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hey,

The diffuser is close to my canister filter intake, about 1" close. Does this matter ?

 

[barbarossa4122]

Now, I am having a problem with my second set up. This is for two tanks using a Victor 453b. I got everything working, set up the pressure at 15psi and everything worked out just fine. Then , I decided to bump up the pressure to 38 psi and boom...........the co2 started to come out via the relief pressure valve on the regulator. I shut off the co2 tank and now every time I attempt to open the tank, all the co2/pressure comes out through the relief valve. I know I can not touch that valve b/c it is written "not to alter " on it. What do I do now ?

 

[Matt F.]

reagrding the relief valve, contact a victor tech at thermadyne.com. Describe to them what is happening. They are very helpful. If the relief valve is letting pressure escape, something is wrong with the regulator. You may need a rebuild. Luckily there is a great link for a professional rebuild shop...it's cheap, too.

Check to make sure the fabco's handle is on tight...severalideal valves have come with loose handles and it throws adjustment way off.

 

[barbarossa4122]

reagrding the relief valve, contact a victor tech at thermadyne.com. Describe to them what is happening. They are very helpful. If the relief valve is letting pressure escape, something is wrong with the regulator. You may need a rebuild. Luckily there is a great link for a professional rebuild shop...it's cheap, too.

Thanks Matt.

Check to make sure the fabco's handle is on tight...severalideal valves have come with loose handles and it throws adjustment way off.

I did and they work fine now. I did replace the Victor with a Concoa 212 and everything is fine now. The Concoa goes to 23psi only, even with the knob turned clockwise all the way.

 

[Matt F.]

sometimes, the gauge backing prevents the needle from travelling through the whole psi range, especially if it's bent. be careful not to exceed 125 psi.
I've seen this on new regulators and used.

 

[barbarossa4122]

sometimes, the gauge backing prevents the needle from travelling through the whole psi range, especially if it's bent. be careful not to exceed 125 psi.
I've seen this on new regulators and used.

But, if the gauge doesn't show the correct pressure how do I know not to exceed 125psi ?
And, can this Concoa go that high ?

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi there,

Is there a relationship between the co2 bubbles and the regulator working pressure ? I guess, what I am trying to find out is.............if the regulator doesn't provide/have enough pressure can you still lower or raise the number of co2 bubbles coming out.

The reason I am asking this is that no matter how much I play with the Fabco valve I can't get more than 3-4 bubbles in 10 seconds. I have 3 new NV55s and switched them aronud but, got the same results. It looks like the NVs are good.

 

[Matt F.]

What does your working pressure gauge say? how high does it go in psi?

The needle valva should control bubble rate with precision once working pressure is set.

 

[barbarossa4122]

What does your working pressure gauge say? how high does it go in psi?

The needle valva should control bubble rate with precision once working pressure is set.

It shows 27psi with the knob all the way in clock wise.

 

[barbarossa4122]

I switched the NVs around between the 3 tanks I have, and only the tank run by the Victor 253 gives me this problem. I am not sure but, to me it means that the NVs are working good. On the two tanks set up which are run by a Concoa 212 I can adjust the bubble rate as I please with a max working pressure of 23psi.

 

[barbarossa4122]

I forgot to mention that I am using GLA's new in tank atomic diffusers (45mm, 55mm and 60mm)

 

[barbarossa4122]

The Victor is OK. The problem was and is the solenoid.

 

[Matt F.]

The Victor is OK. The problem was and is the solenoid.

if you think something is wrong, send it back and have them do tests. they will provide a report and either a replacement or a fix...that is if something really is wrong. remember, I sent mine back b/c I thought it was broken...turns out it was my fault.

 

[barbarossa4122]

Hi,

What is a good in line diffusing system( not the ones you hook up with canister tubbing) one can use besides these new atomic diffusers ? Thank you.