Priming a Corny?

[Runwell-Steve]

I use fire extinguishers. My local supplier has converted some some by removing the dip tube so I can use them the right way up.

Steve - does a welding type reg then fit? And have you got a link?

Cheers, Chris

A standard reg fits, the connection is the same, you just remove the cone and fit the reg.

I get mine from here.

http://www.reliablefireprotectionservices.com

 

[PaulCa]

Yes, regs are interchangable between the pub/welders bottles and FEs. Same BSP fitting.

Just to iterate again, use it upside down. The FE has a dip pipe so that when fired it siphons liquid CO2 up from the bottom allowing it to empty the whole bottle in under 30 seconds without blowing the firer off their feet.

When liquid CO2 boils to gas it absorbs massive amounts of heat. (Why they say DONT hold the horn when firing as you will get stuck to it and get frost bite). Fire the FE the right way up to, say, purge a keg and the liquid will flow through the regulator, dropping it's temp to minus something ridiculous. The regulator has a rubber diaphragm used to regulate pressure, this will become stiff and brittle and may fracture or stick open. There is also the risk that CO2 has a habbit of forming dry ice and plugging the regulator up.

When you fire it upside down the dip pipe is above the CO2 liquid level, so gas comes out and the boiling happens in the cylinder, so the cylinder gets cold. The body of the cylinder is a much large heat sink than the reg.

Still if you see ice on the reg, stop use until it thaws.

 

[joe1002]

Yes, regs are interchangable between the pub/welders bottles and FEs. Same BSP fitting.

Just to iterate again, use it upside down. The FE has a dip pipe so that when fired it siphons liquid CO2 up from the bottom allowing it to empty the whole bottle in under 30 seconds without blowing the firer off their feet.

When liquid CO2 boils to gas it absorbs massive amounts of heat. (Why they say DONT hold the horn when firing as you will get stuck to it and get frost bite). Fire the FE the right way up to, say, purge a keg and the liquid will flow through the regulator, dropping it's temp to minus something ridiculous. The regulator has a rubber diaphragm used to regulate pressure, this will become stiff and brittle and may fracture or stick open. There is also the risk that CO2 has a habbit of forming dry ice and plugging the regulator up.

When you fire it upside down the dip pipe is above the CO2 liquid level, so gas comes out and the boiling happens in the cylinder, so the cylinder gets cold. The body of the cylinder is a much large heat sink than the reg.

Still if you see ice on the reg, stop use until it thaws.

As Steve said above, the ones from Reliable Fire are converted FE's. They have removed the dip tube & removed the trigger and replaced it with the twist tap that you would see on a pub co2 bottle. I have used many of them the right way up without problem.

 

[joe1002]

I use fire extinguishers. My local supplier has converted some some by removing the dip tube so I can use them the right way up.

They are getting quite expensive now though. I'm keeping my eyes open for other suppliers.

 

[PaulCa]

As Steve said above, the ones from Reliable Fire are converted FE's. They have removed the dip tube & removed the trigger and replaced it with the twist tap that you would see on a pub co2 bottle. I have used many of them the right way up without problem.

Why convert an FE to a pub bottle, surely it can't be more expensive to buy a pub or welders bottle? And surely now you have modified it, including how it has to be filled, not to mention the valve, the warranty and the certification of the bottle... where will you get it filled if this particular shop goes out of business?

The advantage of an FE is they are easy to get filled and cheap.

 

[joe1002]

As Steve said above, the ones from Reliable Fire are converted FE's. They have removed the dip tube & removed the trigger and replaced it with the twist tap that you would see on a pub co2 bottle. I have used many of them the right way up without problem.

Why convert an FE to a pub bottle, surely it can't be more expensive to buy a pub or welders bottle? And surely now you have modified it, including how it has to be filled, not to mention the valve, the warranty and the certification of the bottle... where will you get it filled if this particular shop goes out of business?

The advantage of an FE is they are easy to get filled and cheap.

I don't modify them. The fire place modifies them, tests them, regularly certifies them and fills them. Each time I go for a refill they simply swap it for a full bottle that has had all the relevant checks. I didn't buy the bottle, just pay for refills.

 

[airymary]

http://www.reliablefireprotectionservices.com[/url][/quote:1wgsligv]

Cheers Steve - could be an alternative source of supply when I'm out that way.

 

[alanywiseman.]

I have been following this thread with great interest as I plan on priming my cronies and dispensing with a 16g charger but now like the idea of using a fire extinguisher. Has anyone removed the dip tube etc themselves? I have had a ring around my area and the fire protection companies won't touch it so may need to do it myself.

 

[PaulCa]

Unless you have a serious reason to not use the bottle upside down I would stick to the normal FE.

When it's a normal FE, you can "service swap" it for another full one at a fire protection shop, 2 minutes circa 15 quid. If you say you want the same one back again and they ask why... you tell them it's modified you will be back to "We won't touch it.", even if they do fill it for you, you will have to leave it with them for a day or two, maybe longer. They may ask for a retest fee.

I expect if you change the valve, no fire protection place, that isn't involved in providing modified ones, is going to go near it.

Gas suppliers are very picky, because a CO2 cylinder or valve that fails during filling is VERY dangerous. Before my local place will fill my Pub bottle, they want £18 for it to be tested and stamped (with the Gas suppliers own serial number), they will then happily swap it for a full bottle at a cost of £20.

I would expect they have a kind of trust with FE places that the bottles are tested (as part of the service), but when you start to mix in modified homebrew usage ones, I expect a lot of places will not want to know.

The other issue of the "squeeze trigger" depends on how you intend to run the keg. The regulator pipping holds a fair amount of CO2, I find that I only need to squeeze the trigger after 3 or 4 pints, maybe longer, though I don't like to let the gas line pressure fall as there is potential for beer foam to get blown back up into the regulator should the keg side pressure exceed the CO2 bottle pressure. A one-way valve is a good idea.

You can always clamp it or cable tie it, like you would for using with a fish tank. I prefer not to, as I then don't need to check for leaks, as long a the keg pressure is satisfactory and the trigger defaults to off, no gas can leak.

 

[Fil]

fyi another refill option is a local garage that does a lot of welding as they have huge co2 bottles, when looking for co2 i found a couple of local garages willing to fill a co2 bottle (or FE) for me from their big bottles but i didnt have a bottle then, and now in using a liquide air bottle so have no refill worries.

 

[Will12283]

Will i am sure there was a company in Newport listed here previously...

second post

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewt ... ly+company

Went with these guys in the end, had to pop to Newport to pick it up as they don't deliver to my area. But good service and was out in under 10 mins.

 

[Rwilts]

Glad you got it sorted. How much are they now, the web site is not showing any prices as far as i can see?

 

[alanywiseman.]

Unless you have a serious reason to not use the bottle upside down I would stick to the normal FE.

When it's a normal FE, you can "service swap" it for another full one at a fire protection shop, 2 minutes circa 15 quid. If you say you want the same one back again and they ask why... you tell them it's modified you will be back to "We won't touch it.", even if they do fill it for you, you will have to leave it with them for a day or two, maybe longer. They may ask for a retest fee.

I expect if you change the valve, no fire protection place, that isn't involved in providing modified ones, is going to go near it.

Gas suppliers are very picky, because a CO2 cylinder or valve that fails during filling is VERY dangerous. Before my local place will fill my Pub bottle, they want £18 for it to be tested and stamped (with the Gas suppliers own serial number), they will then happily swap it for a full bottle at a cost of £20.

I would expect they have a kind of trust with FE places that the bottles are tested (as part of the service), but when you start to mix in modified homebrew usage ones, I expect a lot of places will not want to know.

The other issue of the "squeeze trigger" depends on how you intend to run the keg. The regulator pipping holds a fair amount of CO2, I find that I only need to squeeze the trigger after 3 or 4 pints, maybe longer, though I don't like to let the gas line pressure fall as there is potential for beer foam to get blown back up into the regulator should the keg side pressure exceed the CO2 bottle pressure. A one-way valve is a good idea.

You can always clamp it or cable tie it, like you would for using with a fish tank. I prefer not to, as I then don't need to check for leaks, as long a the keg pressure is satisfactory and the trigger defaults to off, no gas can leak.

Thanks for the advice. I am trying to source a cheap FE at the moment. Fingers are crossed :pray:

 

[Will12283]

Glad you got it sorted. How much are they now, the web site is not showing any prices as far as i can see?

Prices are on this site. Cost me £15.99 no deposit or rental charge. Will be using them again :thumb:

 

[Will12283]

Glad you got it sorted. How much are they now, the web site is not showing any prices as far as i can see?

I found prices on THIS website. It's the same company, as you can see the layout of the websites are the same. it cost me £15.99 for my CO2. When I need a new one will be going back there got fantastic service and can't beat the price.

 

[Rwilts]

Great thanks. Will look them up in new year