Regulator trouble, insight wanted

[dOprah Winfrey]

Hello all,

I've been having a problem with my oxygen regulator changing pressure while I'm working this past week or so. I run it at 15 psi normaly and set it whenever I get a new tank. I've noticed that when I close my tanks after working that my reg isn't set to 15 anymore, and have to re-set it. Usually its only off by a few psi but tonight it jumped up to 25 psi and as a result I pissed through the last half of my tank. I should have known something was up because whenever I turned my oxygen up at the torch it started really coming out like never before. I assumed it was my torch though. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I'm using a Western oxygen regulator from Mountain glass arts. Link: http://www.mountainglassarts.com/s.nl/it.A/id.371/.f?sc=2&category=34

Please help, this is getting annoying,
-Travis

[Strawberry]

Get a new regulator. It could be faulty or just past its' prime.

[Icarus]

Get a new regulator. It could be faulty or just past its' prime.

You could do that, or you could take it into your local welding shop to see if you can get a rebuild kit, or if they can do it for you.

You probably damaged the diaphragm by leaving the t handle at your sweet spot instead of backing out when you finish for the day and drain your lines. When the t handle is backed out, the diaphragm is "at rest" (hey it's early, I was up late drinking, and I can't think of a better phrase for it right now). But when you leave the t-handle in, the diaphragm is partially open, and when the blast of pressure from your tanks comes ripping through (remember, we're talking 2000 - 2500 PSI here), it can easily rupture the diaphragm.

Some people get away with it, some people don't. Think of it using this helpful analogy (that will give you an idea what's going on, but is not in any way technical, or even really correct when you get down to it).

"Your optimal driving speed is 60 MPH. When you go out to your car in the morning, it is at 0 MPH. What would happen if you got in your car, touched the accelerator, and you were immediately going at 60 MPH? First off, you'd shit your pants, second off, it would be good for neither you or the car. That's why when you get in the car, you ease the car up to 60 MPH. Same thing goes for your regulators. You want to hook them up, and ease them from 0 PSI to whatever you set your regs at. It's not going to take you as long to get from 0 to 15 PSI as it would you car to go from 0-60 MPH, it's actually going to take a few seconds. But it will save a lot of wear and tear on your regulators".

Does that sort of make sense? Sure, its comparing apples and oranges, but as an analogy, it gives you an idea.

If you have Homer Hoyts book, he talks about what's actually happening in your regulator (and he makes a whole lot more sense than I do), plus I think he has diagrams to show you the inside your regulator so you can get a better idea of whats going on in there. Also, the safety videos from most welding torch manufacturers will go into it.

Good luck.

[Icarus]

This may help explain it a little better.
http://mewelding.com/welding/?p=77

Also, it looks like Airgas carries parts for Western brand equipment, so if that's your oxy guys, that would be the place I would start.

[dOprah Winfrey]

Thanks for the info. Your right I don't back off the T-handle when I'm done for the day. Makes sense how it could have damaged the diaphram after looking at the link. Looks like your right about "Some people get away with it, some don't." The person I used to watch lampwork would never back off the T-handle and he'd had his regs for years problem free. I do it for a less than 2 months and mine shit the bed.

Thanks again, I'll try to rep but I'm not too sure if I get how to yet,
-Travis

[Icarus]

Little blue "A" looking icon above the join date on the right side of each post. It's next to the yellow and orange infraction card (please don't hit that).

One other thing to try before taking it in.

Just try backing off the t-handle on your regs to no flow. Now before you put the regs on a new tank of oxy, crack open the valve on the oxy can for a second (this blows out any debris from the fitting so you don't get it in your regs or lines).

Now close it, attach your regs (t-handle out so no pressure will get through).

Now crack open your tank (and remember, you open your oxy tank valve handle until it won't turn anymore. If you only crack it part way, due to the way the valves on the fitting are designed, you'll leak oxygen). Now adjust your t-handle to the desired pressure. See if it stays at that pressure through the majority of the life of the tank (near the end you may have to re-adjust it a bit to account for lower pressure output from the tank).

[dOprah Winfrey]

Icarus,

You are amazing! Not only is my regulator working problem free for the first time in over a week, but I'm new and not aware that oxy tanks need to be opened all the way. I seems like I saved a hefty bit of oxygen today. Tonight I was expecting to drain atleast a third of my tank but instead I used just under a quarter. That will be huge savings in the long run, which is super helpful because I'm really not making enough money doing glass yet to be able to piss oxygen and money away.

Seriously I can't thank you enough,
-Travis

[Icarus]

Cool, really glad I could help.