Stuck Regulator
 

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My regulator is stuck. Luckily, I manhandled it from 0 back up to 6 or 7 psi so that I can still dispense. But I can't force carb or seal up my kegs. And I can't adjust it from the 6-7psi that it's currently seized up at.

Can I buy just the black regulator bit (detached, shown above) without buying the whole body? Anyone got some good links for it?

I don't want to have to shell out $50 for a whole new body, gauge, and all. :(

Also, anyone had theirs seize up before? Thoughts on what caused it / how to prevent it? I've only had my tank since... January maybe? February? I bought the regulator used from the fire supply store, but it was "used" because they installed it, knocked the tank over, and cracked the plastic lens, so they switched it out for another new one. It hadnt actually been used for any period of time.

Thoughts? Suggestions? (I'm sure Sciplus probably has them right there, with my luck. I *always* fail at searching Sciplus, I always use the wrong search terms. I know about the 36807 CO2 SPLITTER but from what I understand, that's not a primary regulator, right? That just goes inline to add 2, 3, 4 more on the end? Or is that actually what I need, and I'm just a idiot?)


Edit: It fell apart. After looking at the pieces (they make so much sense now!) it is JUST the body that is broken. The screw has seized inside of the body, all the other parts seem to be Okay.
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Any sources on just a screw & body?
(that sounds dirty. ;) )

Check northern brewer. i believe I saw rebuild kits for regulators there once.

Rebuild kits are usually just the diaphragm and o-rings needed to rebuild the internals of the regulator body.

OP: I've not seen replacement body shells, unfortunately.

http://www.simgo.com/regulato2.htm has (11) 07-3122, Cover Assembly Kit but they're up in Canada... trying to find one locally... but it appears that it is, theoretically, possible to buy just the body! Still searching....

Depends what type of regulator it is I suppose.

I'd drop MicroMatic a line and see if they can get it for you. Might save on the time spent searching for one.

This problem seems to be wide-spread. I suspect it is due to steel screws in aluminum regulator bodies. Put that combination in a moist environment & corrosion is certain. Removing the screw and coating it with an anti-seize compound might be a wise move for anyone with this arrangement.

Cornelius brand dual gauge. I'll try emailing Micromatic... I just sent Simgo an email too.
Thanks for the tip, David, I'll be sure to do that on the new body, if/when I find it.
I'll probably go to the fire supply store I got it from, today, to check if they have spares or other broken reg's I can take the part from or something.

Cornelius #183233059 - Cover Regulator Black is the part. Now, I just have to find a source. Hmm.

Time to call the local guys. They might have one.

If you can get the screw out by placing the cover in a soft jaw vice then tap the hole and run a die over the screw. if you keep your tank in the keezer then it is probably corroded, or maybe the nut got tighten down and pulled the threads in the housing or stretched the screw. The A.S.S. regs are round covers not square, but they do have primary ports for tank pressure gauges. they are rated at 1800 psi, but that might be just the housing. The only difference I can see between primary and secondary is the spring rate on the diaphragm. I believe the safety valves are the same.

This is definitely the problem. condensation on the screw and body corrodes and locks up the screw. The fix is simple enough. Everyone should pull the screw completely out of the body and coat the threads with either anti-sieze or graphite powder. NO SPRAY ON LUBRICANTS OR OILS THAT WILL DRIP ONTO THE INTERIOR PIECES OF THE REGULATOR PLEASE!!! If you don't have any of the items I mentioned on hand, just use a pencil. Rub the "lead" all over the threads to lube them up. You'll be amazed at how much easier that screw turns:)