torque adjusting when installing DIN adapter

[Waterborne]

This is mainly for Genesis as it appears he's familiar with SP regs. Ok here it goes, I have a MK16 reg with a yoke connection on it now. I have the 300 bar DIN connection for it and would like to install it myself. I don't have much faith right now in my LDS and definitely not enough to let them work on my regs. I'm sure, Genesis, you can relate to the previous two statements. So I have never installled a DIN connection before, what tools do I need to do it and what is the correct method to it without hosing my reg? Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Genesis]

You need a cut-down socket to get the existing yoke connection off. You MIGHT be able to get it off with an open end wrench, but I wouldn't attempt it. If it slips, you will dig up the nut, possibly badly, or the yoke itself. Peterbuilt has a special socket for it, but you can make one with a hacksaw

Remove the yoke screw, put on the socket, and put a 3/8" drive extension through the yoke screw hole. Remove the yoke nut and the assembly will come off. Save the plastic trim piece to use with the DIN adapter; its not necessary, but looks nicer.

Once the yoke is off, you will see a threaded connection. The DIN connector has the inlet with a (small) hex in it. Loosen that; it should come loose. It will come off, along with the O-ring for the tank and the filter and spring will come out. Set those aside.

Inside the adapter is a LARGE hex. Thread the adapter on the reg (it should have an O-ring at the bottom.) The typical torque for that connection is somewhere between 15-30 ft-lbs. 15ftlbs is enough to make sure it doesn't come off, more than 30 is too much. I don't have my specs right in front of me, but somewhere in there is fine.

Once you have that on the reg, put the spring and filter in, then thread the inlet nut back on along with the tank-seal O-ring. Tighten just a bit beyond snug - DO NOT overtighten that one, as its easy to damage it.

Takes about 5 minutes if you have the tools. The biggest problem occurs if some monkey has overtightened the yoke nut at some point in the past, in which case its REAL tough to get apart without doing damage.

 

[The Chairman]

small point. There is an "internal moment" built into every torque wrench. Some are the length of the wrench (as in a beam style) and some are quite short like my favorite Snap-on. It is only six inches and quite sensitive. Adding a mere 2" moment to this wrench will cause a 33% increase in torque which is signifigant.

I have gone through the scenario you have brought up many times in my head. My heart tells me that it sounds reasonable, and then my head says no. If nothing else you would have to triangulate the reading. Even holding the torque wrench by anything but it's handle will upset the torque delivered. I still think that the moments would be additive, but it has been so long since I did statics, that I simply can not remember.

However, if you are going to work on your own equipment, it is best to get the right tools. I was in the automotive industry for 30 years and still rely on a torque wrench to get the best results. Let the LDS's skip getting the right stuff... you don't have to.

 

[redacted]

SCORE ResQ once bubbled...
This is mainly for Genesis as it appears he's familiar with SP regs. Ok here it goes, I have a MK16 reg with a yoke connection on it now. I have the 300 bar DIN connection for it and would like to install it myself. I don't have much faith right now in my LDS and definitely not enough to let them work on my regs. I'm sure, Genesis, you can relate to the previous two statements. So I have never installled a DIN connection before, what tools do I need to do it and what is the correct method to it without hosing my reg? Thanks in advance for the advice.

I use a homemade yoke nut socket after seeing what an LDS could do to the nut with an adjustable wrench. lots of cosmetic damage. But with a large adjustable wrench (like 18") and lots of care you can reach around the yoke and get the wrench firmly on the nut. Torque spec on that is around 22 ft-lb and it seems to get tighter with age. You will need a vise or something else to grip the reg without messing it up.

 

[redacted]

neil once bubbled...
Awap,

T1=T2 x L1/L2
where:
T1 = torque setting (reading) of the wrench
T2 = actual torque applied (torque needed)
L1 = original length of wrench
L2 = extended length of wrench with crow's foot

Yes, so if you attach the crowfoot so it forms the base of an isoseles triangle, L1 and L2 would be the equal sides. And yes, that angle is a bit less than 90 degrees. I had to play with my torque wrench to find the moment of torque by adding an extension for a fixed T1 and using another torque wrench to measure T2. But NetDoc is right, you do need to locate the moment of torque to determine L1. Then you can play with L2 and/or T1 to achieve the desired results