Where's the leak?

[GillesF]

Hi guys

I installed my new regulator this week and everything is running smoothly, nice and constant bps etc. However, I do have one problem: I can only inject CO2 in the tank when the bps is very high (e.g. 20bps). When it's only 2bps, nothing happens. I've tested the reg and needle valve with soap and everything is OK, so is the inline atomizer. I did notice a tiny crack in the "nut" of the atomizer that keeps the hose on it's place but this crack is so small (you can hardly notice it) that it should still keep everything in place. I'm using CO2 proob tubing.

I assume this is caused by a leak somewhere at the end of the system since my regulator works perfectly? Or am I doing something wrong? I've tested several PSI ranges (15, 20, 30, 40) but no changes. Anybody any idea what I should do?

 

[Hallen]

I don't own a atomizer so I can't check or confirm my thought, but pressure build up and Co2 being dissolved into the water are my best bets. For the Co2 to push through the ceramic device I take it it requires a certain pressure build up. With low BPS it'll take longer, or they might dissolve without you seeing it (like a reactor does)

 

[GillesF]

After a while the atomizer fills up with water. When I ad CO2 the water gets pushed through the ceramic filter into the tank due to the pressure inside the atomizer. As soon as the CO2 gets through the atomizer (because of the high bps) this should mean the pressure is high enough, right? I tried this by quickly adding lot's of CO2 and then as soon as the pressure was high enough I would lower the bps again. The CO2 should still get through the ceramic filter but for some reason nothing happens ... Or is my theory wrong?

The CO2 never dissolves completely, there will always be tiny bubble coming out of the filter outlet.

May this problem be caused by the fact that the atomizer is dirty and clogged? The bubbles that do come out are quite large compared to the normal "atomized" bubbles ...
I ordered a new one to test (should arrive this week).

 

[Hallen]

Some Co2 will dissolve without you seeing it, but I agree most of it will be visible even with low bps. Hmm if they are anything like the ceramic disk diffusors than them getting clogged up is definatly an option. Did it work well when you first installed it?

 

[GillesF]

Yes, when I was still using my old system (about a month ago), everything worked perfectly. The atomizer hasn't been working for more than a month so it's probably clogged to some degree. I hope that's the problem but I'll have to wait until next week to test it ...

 

[GillesF]

Replaced the atomizer by a new one, the bubbles are MUCH finer now but I'm still having the same problem. I think it's the tubing since that's the only part that I haven't tested yet.

 

[GillesF]

Allright, I fixed the problem by simply replacing the co2 tubing. Probably a tiny leak somewhere.

Now I have a different problem lol. After tweaking with the regulator to find the leak, my working pressure started going up as soon as the solenoid would shut off the co2 supply. When it opened again, the pressure would lower ... What might cause this?

 

[Hallen]

Good to hear you fixed it! You're probably noticing a normal pressure build-up, if it's not too much I wouldent worry about it

 

[GillesF]

What a relief it was to see the bubbles coming out at low bps

The working pressure doubles (2,5 bar --> 5 bar or more) when the solenoid shuts off the co2 supply. As far as I know it didn't do this in the beginning. Maybe my solenoid isn't correctly installed?

Gilles

 

[GillesF]

Got a mail from the retailer, apparently an internal part got damaged by "impurities". I'll have to have it repaired or do it myself (they sell a repair kit). Bummer ...

*edit* Got a reply that they will repair it for free, I only have to pay for the shipping costs.

 

[Hallen]

Awesome service, these days alot of company's use the 'you broke it we aint fixing it' reply all to often.

The doubling of the pressure shouldent be happening as far as I am concerned, sadly I don't have any explanation for that effect. Hopefully someone else does.

 

[GillesF]

Yup, it's a local German company that manufactures its own regulators (comparable to Fabco-Air). THey even replied to one of my e-mails during a German national holiday

I think I broke reg by not shutting of the low pressure valve while replacing the co2 bottle. That seems to be the most logical cause