Japan standard tank to US standard regulator?

[kasky99]

I am stationed in Japan and I have a US regulator. I am only able to rent Co2 tanks with the Japanese thread standard. JIS B 8246 I believe. I have tried using google to find an adapter that would make that tank fit to my pressure regulator, but I have not been able to find a single one that goes from Japan standard to US standard. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know where I could order the fitting?

 

[mattd2]

Look at taking your regulator to the place where you rent the bottle (or another gas fitting/supply shop). Have them check if you can unscrew the regulator's stem and replace the nut that screws onto the tank valve with the JIS nut. Sometimes this is possible if the mating surface is the same for both valve outlet types. Keep your original nut for when you get back to that states.

 

[kasky99]

Look at taking your regulator to the place where you rent the bottle (or another gas fitting/supply shop). Have them check if you can unscrew the regulator's stem and replace the nut that screws onto the tank valve with the JIS nut. Sometimes this is possible if the mating surface is the same for both valve outlet types. Keep your original nut for when you get back to that states.

Any idea where to buy that part?

 

[mattd2]

Any idea where to buy that part?

A place that sells regulators and parts should stock them. I know in NZ one of the bottle rental places also have a range of equipment in their shops.

 

[CDCTx]

I know this is an older thread, but I want to provide an update for those who face the same issue as me of setting up a home kegerator system.

So, as this thread stated, there is difficulty getting a U.S. regulator on a Japanese CO2 tank. The reason being that U.S. regulator valve bolts are CGA-320 standard (approx. 22mm) while the Japanese regulator valve bolts are JIS B 8246 standard (approx. 1/2 inch). That being said, once I received my own regulator from the U.S., I had to figure out how to attach it to the CO2 tank I rented.

Bottom Line Up Front: The bolt from a 15.8 x 1/2 M154RK coupler does the trick. If you are in the Zama/Atsugi area, take a trip to Handy Home Center (http://www.handy-hc.com/) and pick one up there. It is on Highway 42 on the left hand side while driving toward Fujisawa. Nearest station may be Yamato Station (Kanagawa), but you'll need a cab from there. The address is: １７７７ Fukaya, Ayase, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-1103, Japan

Since I am stationed at Zama, I drive by it every day when I go home. I saw it and decided to try my luck and go in. While browsing, I found of couplers next to their alcohol section (nicely placed). Doing some trial and error, and convincing a worker to escort me to my car so I could test a bolt on my CO2 tank. It fit perfectly, and 1400 Yen later I had the piece I needed. Steep price, but meh, my kegerator is complete so I can't be mad.

I am not sure what other stores would have this, but if you are not around Zama/Atsugi (or can't make the trip), print out the attached picture, go to home stores and browse around until someone says they have it.

Alternative options I have come across but did not pursue at this time:
1) Welding shops. Hard to find, especially if you don't speak Japanese.
2) Most Japanese bars get their regulators from the major brewers, so they are not a good resource for tips unless one says they can hook you up with a Sapporo/Kirin regulator. If you live on a military base, go to your local base bar/club and talk to the bartenders (or the MWR bar manager). They can likely give you some advise on finding what you need since they are typically Japanese locals and know the difficulties working with American products and Japanese market.

Best of luck to the other Geijun kegsters out there. Cheers!

 

[CDCTx]

Also, reply or PM me with additional questions you may have.

 

[kasky99]

Also, reply or PM me with additional questions you may have.

I already replied to your PM before I read this so sorry about that. This may be the most helpful thing I have ever read. Thank you so much.

 

[CDCTx]

No problem. I hope you find what you need and hope we can taste eachothers' beers sometime. Let me know if you need help getting to the home store.

 

[kasky99]

No problem. I hope you find what you need and hope we can taste eachothers' beers sometime. Let me know if you need help getting to the home store.

Well, I am making the run tomorrow after work. I will have to let you know how it goes. My only concern is that I do not speak Japanese, so I wonder how well this will work out. Other than changing out the nut, there were not issues with operation/connection were there?

 

[CDCTx]

Just just for the size I mentioned, you should be fine (keep the receipt just in case). As for the operation and connection, it is still working just fine. Let me know if you have any issues after tomorrow!

 

[kasky99]

I already send you a PM about the issue I am having now! I can't get the damn stem off of my regulator. It is driving me crazy!

 

[mattd2]

I already send you a PM about the issue I am having now! I can't get the damn stem off of my regulator. It is driving me crazy!

Left hand thread? Normally it will have marks on the corners of the "nut" part indicating if it is lht.

 

[kasky99]

Left hand thread? Normally it will have marks on the corners of the "nut" part indicating if it is lht.

Yeah, thanks for the advice, but I already knew it was left hand thread. I just didn't have the proper tools with me because all of my tools are back in the states and the adjustable crescent wrench I had on me just wasn't cutting it. I ended up just renting tools from the on post auto shop and using a pipe wrench with a vice. It scarred the metal a bit, but worked beautiful. I hate how cheap the metal is that they use on these things.

 

[kasky99]

UPDATE: The nut that CDCTX recommended worked beautifully. If anyone else even runs into this problem remember that the local "Home Center" has the adapter you need.

 

[Drifting79]

Its amazing how us home brewers can all run into the same issues

this information is excellent i havent got a regulator as yet but this will make the mission all worth while

where did you guys get your corny kegs from or kegs if your not using cornys?

I am doing all grain now, im not to sure how advanced you fellas are in brewing but i have never kegged and really like the idea

where did you guys get your regulator from as i will be able to get one from more beer but postage is up there as you will probably know
thanks mattD2 and cdctx

i live on the odakyu line at shinyurigaoka so it is only down the track a few stops

where do you get the co2 from ??

I can bring some corneys from australia if i have to

thanks again

will have to pour you a beer

 

[CDCTx]

Its amazing how us home brewers can all run into the same issues

this information is excellent i havent got a regulator as yet but this will make the mission all worth while

where did you guys get your corny kegs from or kegs if your not using cornys?

I am doing all grain now, im not to sure how advanced you fellas are in brewing but i have never kegged and really like the idea

where did you guys get your regulator from as i will be able to get one from more beer but postage is up there as you will probably know
thanks mattD2 and cdctx

i live on the odakyu line at shinyurigaoka so it is only down the track a few stops

where do you get the co2 from ??

I can bring some corneys from australia if i have to

thanks again

will have to pour you a beer

Hey Drifting,

Glad you find this information useful. Let's see if I can help.

For my keg, I ordered from the U.S. on eBay. Since I have a mail box on the Army base I get good priced shipping. Antenna America in Yokohama may can help hook you up with a keg, but for corny kegs, America is my source.

Same with my regulator. Saporro and Kirin own the beer scene here, and getting a regulator in Japan s tough. I ordered mine from Amazon and had it shipped to the base.

If you ordered a regulator and have it shipped here, read my post about the valve connection.It isn't too far of travel for you based on where you live, just either drive there, or take the Odakyu to Yamato and give a taxi driver the address to the Home Store that I mentioned. Then get the size bolt I mentioned. It works perfectly for me and Kasky.

Cheers, enjoy!!

 

[Drifting79]

Hey CDCT

where do you get the C02 from?

I will get my wife to bring back a regulator from the states when she goes over in a month

thanks for all the info I dont speak japanese either but i can get around alright

what is the cost of the C02

I will be going to antenna america when i get home from work i missed the opening night as i was skiing

looks like the guys have got a plentiful supply of good beers

would be good to catch up for a brew session one day

cheers

 

[kasky99]

Hey CDCT

where do you get the C02 from?

I will get my wife to bring back a regulator from the states when she goes over in a month

thanks for all the info I dont speak japanese either but i can get around alright

what is the cost of the C02

I will be going to antenna america when i get home from work i missed the opening night as i was skiing

looks like the guys have got a plentiful supply of good beers

would be good to catch up for a brew session one day

cheers

I got my keg as a full set from morebeer. (I also have an apo box so it is quite a bit cheaper when it comes to shipping for us.) do I had the lines, regulator, and corny as a set. I am on the odakyu sagamihara part of the line and buy my co2 from a local liquor store. It is 7000 yen for a tank but you get a 5000 deposit back when you bring it back or you can pay another 2000 for a refill. If you can't find a liquor store close to you that sells co2 just let me know and I'll shoot you the coordinates for mine so that you can just plug it into google maps.

 

[Drifting79]

Thanks Kasky i will ask my local when i get home if they dont know i will get back to you regarding the supply of c02

cheers

 

[shyquixote]

Hi! I'm a new member, and I've joined specifically because I need desperate help from this thread. I own a small bar/cafe up here in Saitama, and am going to change my beer set-up, and run 6 beers on tap (Japanese and American craft beers). Have already acquired everything I need from the US because it's soooo much cheaper, I am now at the valve nut problem. I need three of them.

Unfortunately, people near Handy Home center seem to have lucked out, as the nuts on couplers available at Joyful, Homac, and Super Viva Home Centers here in Saitama do not work! To tell the truth, I am surprised that the nut from the coupler in this thread actually works as well, because accordingly it would seem to be a 1/2 nut, while the valves threads on tanks here required a 22mm right 14thread nut. This is ever so slightly larger than the R and G1/2 nuts in use for most of the compressor equipment here in Japan (R and G signifying tapering and straight). I might suggest that the particular brand of coupler that you are buying at Handy Home in Kanagawa might have a slightly deeper thread on it, which allows you to get it onto the valve. Could you tell us the manufacturer of the 15.8 x 1/2 M154RK coupler you are using? Or maybe snap a picture of the package in came in for uploading? Then there might be a chance of ordering it direct. The brand which is available at the home centers near me doesn't work.

I later contacted a company here in Japan that makes regulators, and asked if I could just get three nuts from them (as the stem size was approximately the same) - however, they want 7,000yen a piece(!) for replacement nuts. This is ludicrous.

Unfortunately, Saitama to Kanagawa is more than a bit out of the way for me, as I literally NEVER have a day off at the moment, so I was wondering if I could entice someone to make a run out there and pick up three of these couplers for me? I could furikomi some money for the nuts, postage, and a little extra for your petrol and trouble if someone could do this.

Since I am stationed at Zama, I drive by it every day when I go home.

Maybe?

If anyone can help, please PM me.

 

[Drifting79]

I will be buying the nut for my regulator in about 4 weeks when i get back to japan so i could easily pick yours up also if you want to wait that long

interesting to hear that none of the fittings that you have tried dont fit

 

[JRems]

Why can't you just buy the proper regulator off eBay? I see listings all the time ( with the proper 22mm nut) posted from hong kong sellers, and they are cheap! Wouldn't shipping to japan be cheaper than the USA? You are thousands of miles closer.

 

[shyquixote]

Why can't you just buy the proper regulator off eBay? I see listings all the time ( with the proper 22mm nut) posted from hong kong sellers, and they are cheap! Wouldn't shipping to japan be cheaper than the USA? You are thousands of miles closer.

Have a link to one of these regulators from Hong Kong with the proper 22mm nut for Japan? I took a look, but didn't see any.

I have 3 two-product regulators, and so for me, just getting the proper nut for them would be the best. I'm going to use them to run 6 products in total, using 3 tanks.

 

[JRems]

I looked for just a couple minutes but here is one,http://www.ebay.com/itm/270719015350 it says it has 22mm nut. Just cut the rest off. I have seen similar ones even cheaper. Like $10 shipped. I'm sure if you poke around you'll find some. They are usually listed under aquarium stuff.

 

[JRems]

Just found an adapter too. Might be a better option
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=271065626542

 

[shyquixote]

Thank you. Hadn't thought of looking at aquarium equipment. It might be an option, though the one you quoted here:

Just found an adapter too. Might be a better option
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=271065626542

...wouldn't work, as this would (apparently) let me hook a Japanese regulator to a US co2 tank. . . and I am trying to do the opposite of that (American regulator to a Japanese co2 tank.)

 

[Winchit]

Some further information for those looking to connect a US regulator to a Japanese gas tank…

Thanks thanks and thanks again to CDCTx for the information about the bolt from a 15.8 x 1/2 M154RK coupler.

I ordered one online. It just arrived, and it fits perfectly. I have now replaced the original nut on the regulator with new one, and in the process solved the dilemma of whether or not to bottle the two batches that have just finished fermenting. No more bottles!!!

Anyhow, I have added the link to an online store below in case others aren't able to find one in local stores.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=338713

cheers all!

 

[Winchit]

ouch!! sorry guys.

Believe me, the nut fits better than that dud link I accidentally pasted.

Here is the right one…

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/haikanbuhin/04201948/

 

[CB_in_Tokyo]

Hey Winchit,

This thread is a year old, but good information like this is definitely appreciated!

Here is a more active Japan based thread,

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f234/home-brewing-japan-350223/

and here is a Facebook group for Tokyo area brewers.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/409167752562778/

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Ambrozyne]

I had the same problem. I found the right adapter on amazon.co.jp It's from a company called california patio. it connect a standard japanese 9 liter tank with an american regulator. look for
California Patio (カリフォルニアパティ&#12458 アメリカのLPガス調整器アダプター

Brew on!


Sent from my iPod touch using Home Brew

 

[gorobrew]

Hello Group, So I bought a US Taprite regulator for a Japanese tank. I also bought the new nut http://item.rakuten.co.jp/haikanbuhin/04201948/ (thanks CB_in_Tokyo). So now the question is, how do I change the nut on the regulator? Thanks and any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Winchit]

Just to repeat a private response for public consumption (pun only half intended)

The stem unscrews from the regulator. You need to use pliers, so wrap the stem in cloth first so as not to scratch it. I can't remember if it is normal or reverse thread, so you need to be gentle. Once unscrewed, you can just slide to original nut off and replace with the nut that fits. Then screw the stem back into the regulator.

Cheers!http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/smilies/occasion14.gif

Winchit

 

[spiral]

Hi

Thanks all for posting about how to connect a Taprite to a JP tank. I am off to buy a 型式:M154RK-15×1/2 connector.
BTW it is a lefthand thread.
Cheers all