Fe/reg Problems

[gt568]

Just got my FE and removed the horn. Tried to attach my JBL regulator and it's marginally to big to go into the FE!! Anybody else had this problem or I am incredibly unlucky?

 

[JamesC]

No you're not unlucky, it hapened to my JBL reg as well. I haven't heard about this problem for a while though as it only seemed to affect early JBL regs. What you'll need to do is remove the O-ring and get a file or course wet and dry and file down the bit that goes inside the extinguisher.

Here's what I wrote in a thread a little while ago:

The JBL regulator is slightly oversize for a fire extinguisher (which has an international std neck on it). All you need to do is take the O-ring off the regulator and sand it down with some 120 Grit Wet & dry sandpaper or very carefully with a file. Get the fire extinguisher and try and fit the regulator. You'll see what I mean and which bit you need to file down. The threaded collar that you tighten up onto the extinguisher fits fine - its the bit inside this that doesn't go inside the neck properly.

Its the O-ring that makes the seal anyway ( a tiny smear of vaseline is a good idea on the rubber) so don't worry about filing it down as it will still work fine on a std JBL bottle. You'll take the chrome off the nose of the regulator obviously but this doesn't matter - underneath it's brass as would be expected and you don't see the bit you need to file down anyway.

Not all JBL regulators need to have this modification done. Mine is over 2 years old and needed the mod. It seems to what I can gather it's only the old ones that need the mod. You may be OK if yours is new, but I'm only guessing on this.

James

 

[gt568]

Thanks for that, I've just filed it down this morning and it fits a treat. I was gutted when it arrived yesterday and didn't fit. Still all sorted now. My JBL reg is quite old too, I got it about 2 years ago, so thats probably why it didn't fit too.

 

[JamesC]

I think it was a bit cheeky of JBL to manufacture their regulators very slightly over-sized so that they wouldn't be able to fit a standard connection. I suppose it was to force people to purchase their over-priced CO2 bottles. They seemed to stop this practice about two years ago, maybe they got in trouble for it??? Also of note I think that they may have reduced the quality of the newer regs as I have heard lots of moans about difficulty in controlling CO2. No probs with mine and other old regs that I've come across.

James

 

[gt568]

Also of note I think that they may have reduced the quality of the newer regs as I have heard lots of moans about difficulty in controlling CO2. No probs with mine and other old regs that I've come across.

James

I've also heard of people having problems controlling their CO2, but touch wood I've never had a problem with mine, perhaps as you say because it is older.