Propane Regulator as Cask Aspirator -- check valve?

[eulipion2]

While most people who use a propane regulator (~0.5 psi) use it as a cask aspirator, I'm initially planning to use one to provide a low-pressure blanket of CO2 during cold crashing and lagering to prevent suckback. However, my question is valid for both uses: do I need some sort of check valve? Is there a risk of pushing moisture through the regulator, either from a cask or a cold crashed fermenter?

I tried the standard gas shutoff valve that so many of us have on our standard CO2 regulators, but I don't think the pressure out of the regulator is enough to crack the check valve.

Then I've found these inline push-to-connect fittings with a .3 psi crack, which should work.

Or am I just thinking about this too much, and should just hook up the dang regulator and get on with my day?

 

[eulipion2]

Oops, never mind the inline valves: "Designed for use with liquids, not suitable for air and vacuum applications."

Any other options, or just skip it altogether?

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Or am I just thinking about this too much, and should just hook up the dang regulator and get on with my day?

just hook up the dang regulator and get on with your day

 

[day_trippr]

I've been using a fixed 11" wc/~0.4 psi propane regulator for cold-crashing for a few years now - there's a thread somewhere on HBT covering it.
No check valve needed, just stick it down stream of a primary regulator set for 10+ psi and you are good to go...

Cheers!

 

[eulipion2]

Thanks fellas! I knew I was overthinking it.

 

[day_trippr]

btw, speaking of check valves in this application, I actually had to remove two of the check valves from the 4-way manifolds in the two fridges I use for fermentation (and eventually cold-crashing) because the spring-loaded check valves were too strong to let a measly ~0.4 psi through to the pair of carboy fermentors each fridge can hold. I marked the QDs to indicate "these don't have checks!" but as long as I don't overfill kegs when I use one or the other fridge for cold-conditioning/carbonation it's all good in the 'hood

Cheers!