Dennerle - Refilling Co2 Cylinders

[Smalleyboy]

I am thinking of getting a Dennerle CO2 system but am concerned about getting the cylinder refilled. I have a 300 litre tank so bottled CO2 is the only real option. To complicate things further, I live in Northern Ireland so do not have access to places like Maidenhead aquatics etc.. for refills.

I have spoken to BOC who said they will not refill non BOC cylinders but they did recommend a local fire extinguisher chap who does CO2 refills. My problem is I cannot find the spec for the opening/valve on the Dennerle cylinder to find out whether it is a common size. I have seen some posts about it being German and therefore different to the UK spec cylinder fittings. I would rather buy a complete refillable set-up rather than trying to do put together a system myself.

Has anyone had their Dennerle cylinders refilled by anyone other than their lfs?
Can the JBL or Aquamedic cylinders be refilled by independent CO2 companies?

Any help gratefully received

 

[JamesC]

What size Dennerle bottle are you thinking of buying? If it is a small bottle, ie 500g, then forget trying to get anyone filling it for you. The fittings may be standard but because of the small bottle size it is very difficult to fill. Other people have tried it and it only partially fills. By far your cheapest and easiest option is to use a fire extinguisher, pub/soft drink bottle or welding bottle. You could then buy a JBL regulator/needle valve and diffuser to fit. Someone else will need to confirm if a Dennerle regulator will fit as I don't know. New laws have tightened up refilling of CO2 bottles and most places now will only refill if they supplied it in the first place. Don't know if this applies to Northern Ireland or not.

 

[Smalleyboy]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes I was thinking of using the 500g bottle. I hadn't heard the issue about partial fills before so thanks for that. Do you know if the partial fill problem is a Dennerle problem or as I suspect, common to all 500g bottles?

I have thought about the fire extinguisher option but I need someone to confirm that a JBL regulator fits say a standard Chubb extinguisher. I have seen some posts talking about having to file down the connector on the JBL regulator to fit a fire extinguisher. Hence my reason for looking at an off the shelf soloution. I wouldn't have a problem with putting a system together myself but part of the problem is the logistics.

I would have to order a regulator from the mainland and then once I get it go and see a local fire extinguisher retailer. If the regulator doesn't fit then I'm left with a regulator which is no good to me. The rest of the kit like the tubing, diffuser etc will be easy to organise. It's just getting the right cylinder/extinguisher to match up with the right regulator.

 

[JamesC]

The problem with all small CO2 bottles is that it is very hard to get all the liquid CO2 in. The bottles have to be placed in a very cold freezer first to try to keep the CO2 in liquid form while refilling. Also a 500g bottle on your tank wouldn't last any time at all and you'd spend all your time refilling it.

A JBL regulator will fit a fire extinguisher, pub bottle etc. I know as I use one. Look at my website below where I have a picture of a JBL regulator attached to a pub bottle. I did have to file mine down a bit as it is an old one, but you'll probably find with a new one it'll fit fine.

HTH
James

 

[jimbooo]

gotta be quick as i'm at work (i'll get sacked for being on here)
i have the 500G dennerle kit. identical bottle to the JBL version, same fitments etc.. you cant exchange a dennerle bottle for a JBL one at maidenhead aquatics but the JBL 500G bottles do fit the regulator. i get mine refilled at wildwoods (big aquatic store) for £10 a go. a new JBL bottle will cost around £70 and will fit onto the Dennerle regulator. i'll stick with refilling, had no problems at all. i origionally bought the JBL kit but took it back and bought the Dennerle. Far superior fittings and manufacture. well worth it IMO.

PM me if you have any more questions. good luck

 

[George Farmer]

Same story with me. 500g Dennerle and JBL bottles are exchanged for full ones by Maidenhead Aquatics outlets.

I am tempted by the 2Kg fire extinguisher now though.

 

[Smalleyboy]

James

Nice looking tank although I don't think my wife will sanction such a large CO2 bottle. So I shall look into getting a smaller 2kg cylinder/extinguisher. You mention having to adapt the regulator. I take it that it just took a bit of careful filing and then making sure the threads were undamaged? Did you test the connection to ensure there was no CO2 escaping? Do you use a night shut off solenoid?

Smalleyboy

 

[JamesC]

Yep, it is a large bottle. Luckily it nicely hides behind a chair out of sight. My wife wasn't too impressed either but has accepted it as it is so much cheaper than fire extinguishers and JBL bottles and also she can't see it. Costs me £15+VAT for 6.35kg of CO2.

The bit you have to file is no where near the threads and has nothing to do with sealing. It is just the insert which is a bit large. It doesn't leak either.

I do use a solenoid. Well worth it IMO.

James

 

[Smalleyboy]

So according to Jimboo, JBL bottles fit the Dennerle regulator and JamesC has confirmed that a JBL regulator will fit a pub bottle of CO2 although it took a bit of filing. It would apear therefore that the Dennerle and JBL regulator use the same fitting and therefore a Dennerle regulator should fit an extingusiher or pub bottle.

I do like the look of the Dennerle kit and I know it gets good reports. Dennerle do a 2kg bottle but I expect that they would charge a fortune for it. Now the question is whether it is cheaper to buy a Dennerle kit including bottle which I will replace with a 2kg extinguisher or is it cheaper to buy the various components seperately?

 

[Smalleyboy]

Update:

I have seen on other posts that a Deltec or Tunze regulator will fit a standard extinguisher and it looks likely that a JBL and Dennerle regulator may also fit. I have just spoken to a local independent fire extinguisher stockist who can supply me with a 2kg second hand extinguisher for £12 and he can put a twist to open valve on it instead of the standard extinguisher grip to use fitting. He can also refill it for me, although I forgot to ask how much but can't imagine it will be much.

I will post some more info once I get it set up over the next few weeks but if anybody is thinking of a pressurised CO2 system then I would urge you to use the yellow pages and speak to a local independent company as it appears it can be done more cheaply than most of us realise.