CO2 regulator problem
 

I am having more problems with my CO2 system. I just had my 5gal tank
refilled and reconnected my JBJ regulator with one of those plastic washers
as everyone suggested. I checked for leaks, and there were none.
However about 3-4 hours later all hell broke loose and CO2 started leaking
from around the neck of the regulator where it is attached to the tank.
Is this a bad regulator? Or does the tank have too much pressure??
I immediatly turned off the valve to the tank. Unscrewed the regulator and
checked the washer and other fittings, all looked well and reconnected
everything. Opened back up the valve and once again, massive gas escaping.

Does anyone know if these JBJ regulators are not of high quality?

Is there a standard regulator that most everyone uses?

thanks
john

"John H." wrote in message
...
I am having more problems with my CO2 system. I just had my 5gal tank
refilled and reconnected my JBJ regulator with one of those plastic washers
as everyone suggested. I checked for leaks, and there were none.
However about 3-4 hours later all hell broke loose and CO2 started leaking
from around the neck of the regulator where it is attached to the tank.
Is this a bad regulator? Or does the tank have too much pressure??
I immediatly turned off the valve to the tank. Unscrewed the regulator
and checked the washer and other fittings, all looked well and reconnected
everything. Opened back up the valve and once again, massive gas escaping.

Does anyone know if these JBJ regulators are not of high quality?

Is there a standard regulator that most everyone uses?

thanks
john

I'll be interested to hear your findings John. I just had a replacement
regulator empty my tank as well. I suspect the double washer problem, but
I'll know more when I get my tank refilled.

John H. wrote:
I am having more problems with my CO2 system. I just had my 5gal tank
refilled and reconnected my JBJ regulator with one of those plastic washers
as everyone suggested. I checked for leaks, and there were none.
However about 3-4 hours later all hell broke loose and CO2 started leaking
from around the neck of the regulator where it is attached to the tank.
Is this a bad regulator? Or does the tank have too much pressure??
I immediatly turned off the valve to the tank. Unscrewed the regulator and
checked the washer and other fittings, all looked well and reconnected
everything. Opened back up the valve and once again, massive gas escaping.

Does anyone know if these JBJ regulators are not of high quality?

Is there a standard regulator that most everyone uses?

I got the cheapest generic around. Seems to fit the bill. May have a
couple of quirks though, but no leaks. Is your plastic washer made of
very hard material? I can only presume it's slowly deforming and
allowing gas to escape. It should be made of Teflon or nylon. Your tank
won't have too much pressure. CO2 keeps its pressure the same while
compressed. The main hex nut has got to be tightened until you can
tighten no more with a wrench.

Nikki

In article , says...
I am having more problems with my CO2 system. I just had my 5gal tank
refilled and reconnected my JBJ regulator with one of those plastic washers
as everyone suggested. I checked for leaks, and there were none.
However about 3-4 hours later all hell broke loose and CO2 started leaking
from around the neck of the regulator where it is attached to the tank.
Is this a bad regulator? Or does the tank have too much pressure??
I immediatly turned off the valve to the tank. Unscrewed the regulator and
checked the washer and other fittings, all looked well and reconnected
everything. Opened back up the valve and once again, massive gas escaping.

John, your experience is unusual. It sounds like something is faulty or at least
not assembled properly. If at all possible, I suggest that you take the tank and
regulator to the place where you had it refilled and ask them to inspect it for
you. There is sure to be someone there that can help, usually right away. There
are a lot of safety issue that they deal with every day, and something like this
would get their attention even though CO2 is not a particularly dangerous gas.

The JBJ and Milwaukee regulators are typical, mainstream components for aqaurium
use. Mostly they work fine, but some have reported problems on the newsgroup. The
next grade up in quality are industrial models that tend to be larger and are at
least double the cost, and don't include bubble counters and needle valves. If
yours proves to be faulty I would ask JBJ for a replacement or at worst, buy
another.

Well I emailed JBJ and once again they are telling me to use "2" yes two
washers??!! They said for where it was leaking it has to be connected to the
tank wrong.
I tinkered with the fitting and tightened the female coupling to the tank
fairly tight and so far so good.
Will keep a close eye on it.
thanks

"John H." wrote in message
...

Well I emailed JBJ and once again they are telling me to use "2" yes two
washers??!! They said for where it was leaking it has to be connected to
the tank wrong.
I tinkered with the fitting and tightened the female coupling to the tank
fairly tight and so far so good.
Will keep a close eye on it.
thanks
John,

I just got my tank refilled and reattached the regulator. But this time I
used the washer from the old regulator. I got this washer from the fire
extinguisher place. It is much softer than the washers from JBJ and actually
deforms when you tighten the coupling. It also has a larger surface area
(less hole) and seems to make a better seal. I tested the seal with bubble
soap (Catnip flavoured :-) ) and it seems OK so far. Hopefully the leak is
not in the regulator itself.

Good Luck.