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I got a note telling me it can be removed but they don't think I have the tool to remove it!
Gee, how am I to interpret this?

Do they know something I don't?
or do they think I cannot access an ordinary wrench ?
 
One inter-twining issue is PSI range; I have been led to believe that a 1-30 psi is more accurate (precise?) than the 1-90 psi version. Does this ring true? Should I stress over not finding a 30 psi regulator?

As mentioned above, my old one is unwell and reads a few psi even when there is zero pressure... does it matter that much or can I just keep in mind that reading is a few psi low?
 
0-30 probably does give somewhat better control than 0-90, but these miniregulators aren't exactly the most precise instruments in any case. I only use mine for dispensing, where being a bit off isn't that big a deal. I guess you could try to replace the gauge on your old one, but that might wind up costing more than a new regulator and might not work.
 
It does unscrew, rather easily in fact. I heard a slight ‘pop’ when I loosened it, suggesting some pressure was still inside the regulator. I can’t get mine to seal well on the SodaStream bottle, so I’m going to bite the bullet and get a full dual stage regulator. The cap has a central fitting, and theres a spring underneath it. Hopefully the
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pix are clear!
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Thanks milw.
? that come 2 mind...
1. does it take a prv?
2. Is there another use?
3. Does your regulator still work properly?
4. So, what's that thing on the back?

Again, thanks milw !
 
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I haven’t tried to use it again; I don’t have a proper fitting gasket for the SodaStream connector- one black one it came with is too thick, and the other clear one is too thin. The O rings I have aren’t a good fit either, a moderate leak developed in minutes at my last testing so I really don’t like it.
The fitting on the back is featured on an Amazon image but with no explanation given. It is threaded inside, but that’s about all I can tell. Maybe I should open that one too, for science!
 
Ok, I’m going to say the thing on the back is definitely a prv. Theres a rubber stopper at the bottom, a spring, the outer bushing and a lock nut. What I took to be threads inside was actually the spring.
The side one does seem more like purge valve, meant to be manually loosened a bit to relieve internal pressure. Tho that seems a bit foolhardy if it connects to the bottle/high pressure side.
 

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 Is the thing on the back of your two reulators the same thing? I ask because the1.8k one has a cover on it that reads 1.8k but the other one is just an uncovered hole... (see the pix of mine) Just to be sure, an uncovered hole is normal and/or acceptable on these regulators?
 

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 Is the thing on the back of your two reulators the same thing? I ask because the1.8k one has a cover on it that reads 1.8k but the other one is just an uncovered hole... (see the pix of mine) Just to be sure, an uncovered hole is normal and/or acceptable on these regulators?
It’s not a completely open hole, theres a spring holding down a rubber plug. I think the one with the stamped number has a calibrated pressure rating, whereas the spring/stopper would release at higher and higher pressures, the more you screw the spring fitting down. If it was originally calibrated, I’ve gone and changed the setting by removing the lock nut and spring housing.
 
0k... So I don't have to fret over the open hole in the back (Maybe I can find a cover for it somewhere to keep out the dust?)

LETs move on to another issue:
The dial setting cannot be read properly from the triangle shaped pointer and there are no alternative pointers.

What would you do? What is the best thing to do... if the dial is set off mark?

Looking at the pic one can see the triangle pointer used to let you know where to read the dial... IF the gauge face were attached on the opposing side it would read correctly, however it isn't and it doesn't. pix ending in 13 shoxs the dial all the way up and pix 31 shows it all the way down. Certainly not easy to read correctly and consistantly by using the triangle pointer. The alternative is to read it on the opposing side with no fixed pointer. Doable but not desirable.

Should I accept or demand a replacement?
 

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0k... So I don't have to fret over the open hole in the back (Maybe I can find a cover for it somewhere to keep out the dust?)

LETs move on to another issue:
The dial setting cannot be read properly from the triangle shaped pointer and there are no alternative pointers.

What would you do? What is the best thing to do... if the dial is set off mark?

Looking at the pic one can see the triangle pointer used to let you know where to read the dial... IF the gauge face were attached on the opposing side it would read correctly, however it isn't and it doesn't. pix ending in 13 shoxs the dial all the way up and pix 31 shows it all the way down. Certainly not easy to read correctly and consistantly by using the triangle pointer. The alternative is to read it on the opposing side with no fixed pointer. Doable but not desirable.

Should I accept or demand a replacement?
I would not pay any attention to the markings on top of the dial. That is a printed metal disc that is just held on by some double-sided tape, and has no definite relation to the valve. In fact mine fell off in shipping, and now I have lost it.

The only thing to pay attention to is the PSI gauge; if you cover the output fitting with your thumb (or pinch the tubing, say) and then very slowly turn the knob in the + direction (clockwise), you will feel when gas starts to pressurize and the gauge will start reading. I can hold 5 psi with my thumb, but when you release or unpinch and gas starts flowing (you will hear the hissing) the gauge will read zero because there is no back pressure.

Turn the knob a tiny bit more and you will hear more gas flowing, and if you cover or pinch the tube, the gauge will read a higher PSI.

Be careful to only turn a small amount, as the range is very small, mine is less than 1/4 rotation to get to full pressure.
 
Yes. Thanks for the idea about feeling and hearing the flow. I may try that sometime. But the main thing for me when attaching the CO2 for example, is just to know when it is closed (set to zero)(which seems to be an anti-intuitive "all the way up") Its reassuring to get visual confirmation.
 
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