Finally sorted gas injector for new sodastream cylinders

[Sussex smokery]

I thought I had really screwed up when I spent £50 replacing the lids and injector valves for my Hambleton Bard, Sparklets and King Keg barrels when I came to replace my Sodastream cylinder and found out they had changed the screw fitting. My old Boots cylinder injector (much more cost effective than than the sparklets bulbs) no longer fitted.
After online searches, the nearest I could find was some German aquarium site but that was only a converter to fit between the cylinder and the Boots injector and I would have to find some way of extending the centre part to depress the cylinder pin. And it was over £40 - and all in German!
But, thanks to a fantastic English precision engineering workshop, I now have this :
Essentially, it is made from solid brass and is similar to the old Boots version but has a straight neck instead of a tapered one. The injector piece is the same.
I have spoken to Malcolm (who made it) and he reckons he can make them (including the centre spindle if you don't have the old one) for £30. If anyone is interested, I can put you in touch.

 

[wilsoa1111]

nice one! was looking for something like this about half a year ago...

so am i right in thinking this allows you to use the new sodastream with a hambleton bard fitting (on the barrel)? :wha:
if so would be interested in the adaptors

 

[Sussex smokery]

Yes, that's exactly what it does, it fits inside the Hambleton Bard valve. Press down and it squirts CO2 into the keg. One of the things I've found is that, because the thread is so coarse, you need an O ring to seal between the the connector and the Sodastream cylinder, otherwise the gas can escape around the thread. With a simple washer in place it now works like a dream! I am now changing all my sodastream cylinders for the new type.

 

[Ifor]

Andrew, thanks for the introduction to Malcolm. He has made a first adapter for me and I have now asked him to make a second for my son.

 

[Ifor]

I forgot to mention, in case anyone is interested, I had no problem at all exchanging five old style sodastream cylinders for five of the new ones at Argos yesterday. I've just got another five to exchange still!

 

[hairybiker]

Hmm £30 for the adaptor, bit steep for me. Just had to buy the old one to replace one of my Midget handles that broke.
I think I will have to save up for a real co2 bottle - maybe next year. :nah:

 

[Ifor]

It is a bit steep, but the alternative for me was to replace all my Boots inlet valves which would probably have cost more. Hopefully a retailer will pick up on it and commercialise them, which would bring the cost down.

 

[gordonellis]

Hi I would liek the details of the guy who can manufacture these going to be much cheaper in the long run than the small cylinders. I need at least two pissibly a 3rd and the initial two we have the original sodastream adaptor.

Best regards

Gorodn Ellis

 

[Ifor]

You can contact him through his website.

http://www.classic-components.com/

 

[Sussex smokery]

I have to say, I am finding the new sodastream cylinders much longer lasting than the previous ones - that said, I think they are over twice the capacity. The beauty of the new adapter that Malcolm made, is that it doesn't freeze up and leak like the old one did. I was forever having to run it under the tap and listen out for a tell tale hiss. On at least one occasion I had an old style bottle completely empty because it hadn't sealed properly after use.

 

[Ifor]

I'm using the rubber washer from the old original adapter and it is a bit leaky in the new one. I think I'll have to hunt out an alternative.

 

[gordonellis]

Just in case anyone is interested Malcolm at Classic Components is making a batch of these. If you want one now would be a god time to contact him via the classic components website. Worth mentioning you got his details from the forum.

:drink:

 

[Brinkman]

Hi I'm new here but been brewing for some time now and like you I went to replace my bottle only to find Aaah thread has changed my s30 and old bootes
system was in peril couls really use one of those adaptors if your guy is still making them? please

 

[Chippy_Tea]

You can contact him through his website.

http://www.classic-components.com/

 

[Brinkman]

I have heard back from Malcolm and he said that he could do with more requests for the adaptors. needs a batch to make it worthwhile "come on guys get your orders in cause I really need one":grin:

 

[Chippy_Tea]

How many orders does he need before he will make a batch?

 

[Brinkman]

sorry for not getting back to you guys been mad at work! Ok here is what Malcolm said.
I've not made any of these for a some time. To make it worthwhile I need to do a batch of a leased 10 -15 You are the only person for months who has enquired about one. If I get a quite spell at work I may do some more then get them advertised on the Forum.
Kind Regards,

Like he says he will get around to making more but I think he would like some more inquiries about them. I understand his position, setting up equipment, time, materials it all costs;-)

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Thanks for the reply, fingers crossed others see this and express an interest.

 

[better days]

(fingers crossed others see this and express an interest.)

Hi, I am interested in something like this. I have adapted a fridge to take my pressure barrel but I cant fit the Hambleton Bard cylinder to the valve on the top because I dont have enough height to screw it in. If this adapted valve fits in horizontaly or at right angles to the barrel it would be perfect . I wouldnt have to take the barrel out of fridge each time i need to put in gas.Just the job if it does it.
Thanks Ron (better days)

 

[HebridesRob]

(fingers crossed others see this and express an interest.)

Hi, I am interested in something like this. I have adapted a fridge to take my pressure barrel but I cant fit the Hambleton Bard cylinder to the valve on the top because I dont have enough height to screw it in. If this adapted valve fits in horizontaly or at right angles to the barrel it would be perfect . I wouldnt have to take the barrel out of fridge each time i need to put in gas.Just the job if it does it.
Thanks Ron (better days)

Did anything ever come of this? I'd be interested if they're still making them. Though one of these might suit?
http://brewingathome.co.uk/product/midget-widget-world-universal-barrel-hose/

The aquarium supplies sites have adapters for sodastream bottles to fit them onto regulators. Wouldn't be a cheap option though.
http://www.co2supermarket.co.uk/sodastream-adapter.html
http://www.co2supermarket.co.uk/co2-regulators.html

So, I'd rather have the mooted gadget than buy all that^, if it's still possible.