CO2 problems, pulling my hair out

[indridcold]

I've been having problems with my CO2 equipment since I bought it. It has only functioned properly 2 out of the 5 times that I hooked it up, with the other 3 times completely exhausting an entire large tank of CO2. I have a regulator that I've replaced completely 3 times now. The first time it somehow leaked into the gauge itself forming a bluish crust on the dial, the second time the regulator valve got moisture in it from sitting and the valve hung open not seating the pintle fully. My controller is a PPM-3 that opens the regulator at 900 and closes it at 1500. This allows me to keep the amount coming out minimal so the valve doesn't freeze from the ambient humidity. I have it mounted near the floor because the outlet is not only by the floor but undisturbed, CO2 should settle at a low level keeping it from running more than what it has to. It's open for about 4-5 minutes at a time and closed for around 10-15 normally, but that's with me in the room breathing as well.

My space is a 7'x6'x7' and is fully sealed, no air/light leaks and CO2 is off during the night cycle.

I'm aware of all the methods for testing for leaks, soapy spray bottle etc. and I always use teflon tape. Please help me lest I go and buy some mice to supplement CO2

 

[sparkjumper]

Man it really saddens me to hear about these stories when co2 has been so basically troublefree and so effective for me also.I also use a cap PPM-3 and in the 2 years or so i've used it it only stuck once bringing the level over 4000PPM before I caught it.I killed all the power to the units,did not recalibrate,and it has worked fine since.You have me totally confused at the controller opening up at 900 PPM and closes at 1500PPM.I dont know what you've done to asccomplish this.The whole idea behind co2 enrichment is never to have more than a 200-250PPM co2 fluctuation for the full 12 hours.You are jumping from 900 to 1500 PPM?I've never heard of that bro.I'll do what I can to help.but somethings sounds very wrong.I set my controller for 1500PPM.When it drops to 1450PPM the burner kicks in and it burns until the controller reads 1550PPM.After it kicks off it still continues to rise always over 1600PPM and usually very close to 1700PPM.Then it slowly frops to 1450PPM and kicks the burner in.Thats the way my controller runs my propane burner unit.Very little fluctuation and very visable results.If I can help let me know

 

[globel]

i suggest the cap regulator for your co2.. i have never had one of them freez up on my like the hydro farm ones that come with a timer. they are more expensive too though =(

 

[caljim]

I've been having problems with my CO2 equipment since I bought it. It has only functioned properly 2 out of the 5 times that I hooked it up, with the other 3 times completely exhausting an entire large tank of CO2. ......My controller is a PPM-3.........I'm aware of all the methods for testing for leaks, soapy spray bottle etc. and I always use teflon tape. Please help me lest I go and buy some mice to supplement CO2

I feel your pain. I used a ppm 3 from for about 2 months, I would bring in a fresh tank, set ppm to 1500, check it before lights out and find the meter pegged at 8000ppm. Not once or twice but a bunch of times......switched out solenoid, checked for leaks. Contacted CAP and finnaly they swapped the unit out for their Fuzzy logic model.

That PPM3 was a piece o' sh!t. On the other hand, the Fuzzy logic model has worked flawlessly for about five years now.

 

[indridcold]

Man it really saddens me to hear about these stories when co2 has been so basically troublefree and so effective for me also.I also use a cap PPM-3 and in the 2 years or so i've used it it only stuck once bringing the level over 4000PPM before I caught it.I killed all the power to the units,did not recalibrate,and it has worked fine since.You have me totally confused at the controller opening up at 900 PPM and closes at 1500PPM.I dont know what you've done to asccomplish this.The whole idea behind co2 enrichment is never to have more than a 200-250PPM co2 fluctuation for the full 12 hours.You are jumping from 900 to 1500 PPM?I've never heard of that bro.I'll do what I can to help.but somethings sounds very wrong.I set my controller for 1500PPM.When it drops to 1450PPM the burner kicks in and it burns until the controller reads 1550PPM.After it kicks off it still continues to rise always over 1600PPM and usually very close to 1700PPM.Then it slowly frops to 1450PPM and kicks the burner in.Thats the way my controller runs my propane burner unit.Very little fluctuation and very visable results.If I can help let me know

no no, it's not a fluctuation between 900-1500, for some reason this is an inadjustable factory setting, when ambient goes to 900 it kicks the CO2 on then off at 1500 but sometimes goes up to 1700 like yours before leveling off. but yeah the other posts have it pegged, it's just irritating going into my room and seeing an empty canister of CO2 after 1 day.

i suggest the cap regulator for your co2.. i have never had one of them freez up on my like the hydro farm ones that come with a timer. they are more expensive too though =(

That's the one I have and have had the problems with