CO2 Question or 2

[jcali10]

I want to do injected CO2. I am considering building a regulator, but why bother if it is going to cost more than a pre-built one.

I can go online and purchase a JBJ Regulator with solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter with built in check valve for about $100 delivered, or a Milwaukee brand one for about the same price, maybe a little less.

To build one:
A 2 gauge regulator at harbor freight costs... $35
A solenoid from Clippard $20, delivered..........$35
Still need a needle valve and check valve and tubing. See, starting to get into the pre-built price points now.

Are there any local sources for solenoids, needle valves, check valves and tubing? Excessive shipping and handling costs are detering me from going this route.

Another question, bubble counter fluid, ($9.99 for 60ml) is that really necessary? I can make a bubble counter with a small plastic bottle, and using plain tap water right?

I want your 2 cents.

[Aaron]

You can also get the check valve, tubing and needle valve from Clippard to justify the shipping costs:

Check Valve Parts:
Check Valve MCV-1BB $4.57
#10-32 to 1/8" hose barb 11752-1-PKG (package of 10) $4.07

Solenoid Part:
Solenoid MME-2PDS-D110 $19.70

Needle Valve:
Needle Valve MNV-4K $11.23

CO2 Tubing:
Clear 1/8" ID polyeruethane URH1-0804-CLT-050 (50 feet) $20.06

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

bubble counter fluid = a little water + glycerine.

[jcali10]

Thanks, Aaron, but it still will cost me more to build one than to order one. What a bummer. May just order one.

Ghazanfar, glycerine huh, thanks for the info.

[ingg]

Exactly what I was saying.

That's $35 in parts, plus shipping, plus $10 handling, plus 35 for a regulator, and you haven't done a bubble counter yet...and you get spend gas going to get the regulator, and get to put it all together and test it yourself....time is money!

82 bucks plus shipping for a JBJ regulator with a warranty.

I just don't see the savings.

[jcali10]

Yes, it's not cost effective to do a DIY pressurized system. Best to try and consolidate some purchases and spend enough get free shipping.

[Spine]

Tropical Lagoon, located in Silver Spring has the Milwaukee and Hose in stock call for prices. I have the Clippard stuff.

[Aaron]

Exactly what I was saying.

That's $35 in parts, plus shipping, plus $10 handling, plus 35 for a regulator, and you haven't done a bubble counter yet...and you get spend gas going to get the regulator, and get to put it all together and test it yourself....time is money!

82 bucks plus shipping for a JBJ regulator with a warranty.

I just don't see the savings.

For me, it was more about having a higher quality system. Also, I can replace components instead of a whole unit as they wear out or add more needle valves more easily if I've built it myself. This is not to say the JBJ regulators are no good. I had one and it worked quite well.

[jcali10]

Aaron thats a great reason to build your own. Just to know you can easily repair or build one makes it worth it too. But if I buy a pre-built Milwaukee, JBJ or Azoo regulator now, can't I still change out a solendoid or needle valve later if I need to?

How to build a regulator would be a good demo for a meeting. At least for me. Or was this done already before I joined?
____
Joe

[Aaron]

Building your own regulator hasn't been done and it's a great suggestion.

You may be able to change out parts on the prebuilt regulators. On the JBJ and Azoo models the secondary pressure is fixed at 15 psi so you can't mess with that part.