Regulator fittings question

[rdkopp0153]

Hi all,
I have a nitrogen regulator (pictured) that I am using a CGA 320- 580 adapter to fit to my CO2 tank, but the gas outflow from the regulator has a 1/2 male threaded end. All the beverage supply places only have 1/4 inch ffl swivel nut with 5/16 barbed fitting. Where can I find a 1/2 inch ffl swivel nut that still holds the 5/16 barbed fitting?
Is this common at hardware stores? gas supply stores?

 

[patrick524]

Try going to AirGas and see what they say (or any gas/welding supply). If they don't have it they can point you in the right direction.
Cheers

 

[beaksnbeer]

1/2npt x 1/4 npt reducer bushing.

 

[thargrav]

Even with an adapter you may not be happy with this regulator because it's a welding regulator, designed to flow gas at high volume. It may not be stable at the pressures we typically use for kegging.

 

[mattd2]

Even with an adapter you may not be happy with this regulator because it's a welding regulator, designed to flow gas at high volume. It may not be stable at the pressures we typically use for kegging.

Can you explain that in a bit more detail? It seems to a have a 0-60 LP gauge. But are you meaning that since it is designed to allow a hih volume of gas to flow that it will not open uniform at low flow and end up kind of on/off between a range around the set pressure?

 

[thargrav]

Just because the gauge displays 0 - 60 PSI does not mean the regulator will adjust to 0. The gauge only goes to 0 because when the gas is turned all the way off it has to read 0 to be accurate. And many welding regulators will not reliably adjust & regulate pressure down to 0 PSI. Beverage (beer & soda) regulators are designed to regulate down to 0 PSI but they are not designed to flow high volume like a welding regulator.

 

[mattd2]

Just because the gauge displays 0 - 60 PSI does not mean the regulator will adjust to 0. The gauge only goes to 0 because when the gas is turned all the way off it has to read 0 to be accurate. And many welding regulators will not reliably adjust & regulate pressure down to 0 PSI. Beverage (beer & soda) regulators are designed to regulate down to 0 PSI but they are not designed to flow high volume like a welding regulator.

Yeah, I ask because I have a "not beverage" regulator. Just wanted to check what you were meaning. Most of the time I have mine set at 10-15 PSI and seems accuarate enough. But it is a CO2 reg and it is smallet than OPs.

 

[thargrav]

You probably have a small air regulator if it's smaller than this one & not a beverage regulator. Some work fine as primary regulators but they were not designed for higher CO2 pressures. I used to have a lot of walk-in regulator business and I've seen some work until the tank got warm enough & the pressure got high enough to blow them out. Some welding regulators work great too, some don't. At least they don't blow out & dump 20# of CO2 gas into your living room.

 

[rdkopp0153]

Thanks for the tips on the fittings.
These regulators are also designed to supply pressure to pressure transducers which require a constant and highly accurate pressure in the 8-22 psi range depending on the depth and velocity of the column of water above the transducer being sensed. It holds that pressure steady and accurate, not a high volume of gas at all.