Skizhx

I've got a fairly old regulator I purchased second hand a few years ago.

After a period of it sitting around in storage I've started using it again, but I'm still getting a very slow CO2 flow even when power to the solenoid is cut.

Is this basically just a bummed solenoid, or is there anything else I might be able to try fiddling with?

AaronT

Either the solenoid is not good anymore or something is clogging it like a piece of dirt or teflon tape etc...

Are you comfortable taking it apart to see if it needs cleaning? What brand of solenoid is it?

oldpunk78

You might also have a leak. Have checked for a leak yet?

Skizhx

Honestly I haven't tried much of anything. I'm not too familiar with how the regulators work beyond setting them up and a rough basic idea of their inner workings.

It was purchased pre-assembled. However, I am familiar with teflon tape (plumbing, etc). So unless there's something else to know about disassembling and reassembling, I'm pretty comfortable taking it apart to check things out.

I have not looked for any leaks. If it was a leak I can only imagine it would be at the solenoid, in which case, it's a bummed solenoid (no?).

I only happened to notice it because about every 15 seconds a single bubble would hit the impellor in the tank hours after the CO2 should have been turned off.

The solenoid is a Parkar.

oldpunk78

If the solenoid stops the flow, it's probably ok. To me this sounds like a leak in the line somewhere. Probably at the bubble counter. Since you have two needle valves, you also need to make sure the one you're not using isn't letting gas go through it as well. Or if you are using both, check for leaks in that line as well. There could also be some corrosion issues in the needle valves or solenoid. My guess is still probably a bubble counter issue with leak. Soapy water or bubble solution work well to find problems.

Edit- disregard the 2 needle valve statement. I was thinking of a different thread and forgot to reread the first post.

Skizhx

You responded almost 2 months after a post to say that?

If anyone's interested, I found the problem wasn't with the solenoid, there was a weak seal around my bubble counter that was letting small amounts of air get pulled into the line by the pump I've been using to diffuse the bubbles.

Tightened things up again and no more gas hitting the impeller at night.

Glad I wasn't actually losing CO2, and don't need to replace anything.

Thanks for the help!

FlyingHellFish

^ What bubble counter was it? My asian bubble counters are deteriorating, the threads are super weak. I'm starting to think it's not even aluminum, I think it might be plastic.

Or aluminum that weaker than plastic.

Skizhx

JBJ style bubble counter. Got it from shipped from China I think... Cheap thing. Definitely not plastic though.

It was the clear part that connects to the base, I hadn't screwed it on completely, but it wasn't full of fluid or anything so I didn't realize it wasn't sealed completely. Simple mistake, simpler fix.