Regulator Question (Picture Included)

[natefrog255]

Received some older CO2 regulators from a relative that gave up on fountain soda. I gladly took. Both are dual-regulators, so have the 2 output posts. I bought a new washer for the connection to the CO2 cylinder. I bought 1 gas line with a small washer. My questions are...

1. They do not appear to have shut-off valves. Are they necessary?
2. If not, I assume as long as the adjustment nut is counter-clockwise all the way (well not so screw comes out), it would be fine?
3. If no shut-off valves, do I need to worry about beer getting into my cylinder and/or gas lines?

Any help is appreciated. I tried to bump some old threads but no avail and didn't find anything relevant to my questions.

 

[microbusbrewery]

I'd recommend shut off valves, and more specifically shut off valves with integrated check valves. Liquid can back up into the gas line if the keg is full and at a higher pressure than the regulator. If it does it means you'll have to take the regulator apart and clean it out. The risk is easily eliminated for about $12 at my LHBS.

 

[natefrog255]

I'd recommend shut off valves, and more specifically shut off valves with integrated check valves. Liquid can back up into the gas line if the keg is full and at a higher pressure than the regulator. If it does it means you'll have to take the regulator apart and clean it out. The risk is easily eliminated for about $12 at my LHBS.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, taking apart the regulator is something I'm not interested in doing at all. I would rather just get the shutoff w/check valve.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I got a single valve just like the one you have there that came with my auxiliary CO2 tank, but mine did have a shut-off attached. I got a new one from Kegworks through E-bay for 12 bucks just to have the check valve.

Beer in me = good
Beer in gas regulator = bad

 

[Stealthcruiser]

I believe those are check valves on the outlets of those regulators...........Study them close.

Isn't the body of the outlet fitting, with the "double hex" flats, screwed together?

I have a soda regulator as well, with a flare or "mfl" fitting on it, which is not as massive as those, and they have a "check ball" within.

Take one apart and see!

But I got a dollar sez they are check valves, to prevent fluid back-flow in to the regulator.

 

[microbusbrewery]

I believe those are check valves on the outlets of those regulators...........Study them close.

Isn't the body of the outlet fitting, with the "double hex" flats, screwed together?

I have a soda regulator as well, with a flare or "mfl" fitting on it, which is not as massive as those, and they have a "check ball" within.

Take one apart and see!

But I got a dollar sez they are check valves, to prevent fluid back-flow in to the regulator.

Could be...I hadn't thought of that. I thought it looked like a bushing that's being used as an adapter for the flare fitting. Should be easy to check.

 

[natefrog255]

Thanks for the information. I will check to see. If I don't plan to use the outlet on the left, do I need to add a shut-off valve or will having the adjustment nut to off be sufficient?

 

[microbusbrewery]

Thanks for the information. I will check to see. If I don't plan to use the outlet on the left, do I need to add a shut-off valve or will having the adjustment nut to off be sufficient?

It should work but I don't know if I'd trust it. It could bleed off pressure really slow...too slow to be noticeable. Which would mean you'd go through CO2 faster than you should.