FZone Regulator Fail

[Sb1415]

The duration of that flat area of the curve is not infinite it is limited by the actual off-gassable surface area of your tank.

CO2 gas exits the water at a fixed speed, defined by it's Henry's law constant. The volume of gas that is able to exit per unit time is strictly a function of your available surface area.

A clean air-water interface from a skimmer maximizes the rate of exit from that surface area, and agitation physically increases that surface area as well as disrupts the surface tension of the water. But the surface capacity is finite.

If you overdose, that concentration of injected CO2 will will overwhelm your available surface off-gassing capacity per unit time, and reach toxic levels in the water.

Thank you. This was what i was looking for. Maybe people should use the following diagram instead so that it is clear that the offgassing is not infinite with inline co2 and surface agitation.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Thanks, but why ? If the curve flattens it should not matter if more co2 is injected.

I completely see the point on the Yugang which is my next project, but want to make sure I understand the in-line Co2 + surface agitation conundrum.@

@Koan is explaining well, it was my fault for using a phrase like "flattens" the curve...

surface agitation HELPS "flatten" the curve but doesn't flatten the curve entirely.

However, it is true that for any given setup, there is a maximum amount of CO2 that can be injected relative to offgassing, it's just unfortunate that in most setups, that maximum is probably 70-100ppm CO2 or more.

 

[techman81]

OK folks, it didn't really take too much convincing to get me to go down the custom build regulator road. After replacing the first failed Fzone regulator, the 2nd brand new "Pro" series Fzone regulator began giving me problems as well, not completely shutting off flow with solenoid turned off.

I began looking for regulator parts on ebay and when I reached out to @Bettatail to see if I was choosing well or poorly, I was lead down a better path. In fact, bettatail pointed me toward all the necessary parts on ebay to build two regulators with an average cost of less than $200 each. That's better than the cost of GLA and CO2Art's Pro series regulators. I even procured the last few adapters directly from bettatail.

Here's the thing though, I already had a lot of projects on the to-do list before I joined this forum. You all are just a bunch of enablers. Now can someone enable me to get the old CGA580 stem off one of the used regulators. This thing doesn't want to budge, and right now, I don't have a bench vice to hold the main body.

 

[Koan]

enable me to get the old CGA580 stem off one of the used regulators.

If you can see that it's held on with Loctite threadlocker, you can very gently heat it up with a hairdryer to get it to loosen. Or you can try acetone

How to remove red threadlocker

Everything you need to know about removing LOCTITE® High-Strength Threadlockers

next.henkel-adhesives.com

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

 

[techman81]

If you can see that it's held on with Loctite threadlocker, you can very gently heat it up with a hairdryer to get it to loosen

Yeah, my heat gun was the next thing I was going to try but not sure how hot I can get the regulator without potentially damaging something.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I see you found the flat PvC end caps, lucky duck.

 

[techman81]

I see you found the flat PvC end caps, lucky duck.

Yeah, I hope to finally finish a build of one of those this weekend. I focused on finding the end caps first, and then worked to find acrylic tubing with O.D. that matched. I'll post a full build once I've thoroughly tested out the first one but here are Amazon links to some flat end caps.
Flat PVC End Caps
More Flat End Caps

 

[Bettatail]

Now can someone enable me to get the old CGA580 stem off one of the used regulators.

you can complete one regulator for now.

The next maintenance for your car, bring your regulator, find a mechanic and ask him to take out the CGA 580 for you.
Or home depot pluming section, some store associate might help if there is a bench wise presented.

The good value high precision valves and industrial parts on my ebay watch list is pretty depleted for now, there are several DIY projects from other members recently and I also showed them what to get...

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Welding or gas supply shop should be helpful too if it comes to that to get it off they’ll also be interested to hear what you’re using it for, always fun explaining

 

[techman81]

By the way, these regulators weigh a ton! My first thought when they arrived and I picked them up, these full assemblies will tip over my 5lb tanks.

 

[Koan]

Trust me they do

 

[techman81]

Trust me they do

View attachment 11458

Great idea!

 

[techman81]

It was time to invest in a new better bench vise. The old one was never made for heavy duty work, just more for helping hands really. This one will far outlast me. Made quick work of removing the old stem once the regulator was clamped down. Just more money. Might as well spend it all before I can no longer enjoy it.