What kind of regulator do I need?

[playswithfire104]

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Are there different kinds of regulators? I'm having the gas company come to run a hard line into our garage. I understand that I will need a regulator both outside and inside. Are there different kind of regulators? What kind will I need inside? I'll be on a Lynx if that matters.

[glassdog]

Plays with fire.
It really doesnt matter what name brand you use. All you need to pay attention to is the pressure it produces. For most surfice mix torches you only need a couple of pounds. I use a lot of pre mix torches and I have my pressure set at 20 pounds.
Your gas company who installs the hard line will be able to supply the regulator that you need. As long as you tell them the pressure you are requiring.
Suggestion; go with the higher pressure. you may want to try the pre mix torch one day. Its all i use for boro.
Thanks
Mike

[Dale M.]

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Are there different kinds of regulators? I'm having the gas company come to run a hard line into our garage. I understand that I will need a regulator both outside and inside. Are there different kind of regulators? What kind will I need inside? I'll be on a Lynx if that matters.

Yes there are fixed pressure regulators and adjustable pressure regulators.

You do not NEED a regulator both inside and outside! You can HAVE regulators both inside and outside...

You need shut off valves both inside and outside

Coming off the BULK tank, you probably need a FIXED pressure regulator (non-adjustable) set anywhere up to 20 psi MAXIMUM, it "can be" the "working pressure" you desire. The 20 PSI maximum pressure is a NFPA regulation for bringing piped propane into any building.

OR the fixed regulator maybe as little as 1/4 psi (7 inches of water) [general accepted appliance pressure]. Most people who uses Natural Gas for their torches use it at a pressure of 1/4 to 1/2 psi (7 to 14 inches WC) "standard appliance" pressure. There is no reason your propane supply can not be at same pressure. Actually propane burns hotter than NG.

If you choose to add second adjustable regulator inside and this is purely optional, you can use the welding style regulator for any pressure setting from 0 psi (off) to maximum pressure of fixed regulator at tank (20 PSI max by NFPA rules). IF you have a 10psi fixed regulator at tank than you will have a output at your adjustable regulator from 0 to 10 psi available to your torch

It may be less expensive to have fixed regulator at tank set at 5 PSI ( or 2 PSI) and just go with that, it seems to be a good working pressure for small to mid sized surface mix torches. There is not necessarily a need for an adjustable regulator inside once you learn to work with pressures that is supplied to your torch...

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=208

It may also be possible to have an adjustable regulator in tandem after your fixed pressure regulator at bulk tank, BUT it means you have to run out to tank each time you want to adjust it and it is also vulnerable to stray hands who like to twist knobs

Dale

[playswithfire104]

OK now I'm even more confused. We use peopane to heat our house and the water, to cook with and to fuel our fireplaces. I'm guessing we already have some type of regulator in place, right? But I'm under the impression I will need one along with a flashback arrestor between the pipe that comes into the garage and the torch. I've read on another thread about pressure fluctuating because of not having a good quality regulator. I am looking at a regulator and just want to make sure it is good enough.

[Dale M.]

OK now I'm even more confused. We use peopane to heat our house and the water, to cook with and to fuel our fireplaces. I'm guessing we already have some type of regulator in place, right? But I'm under the impression I will need one along with a flashback arrestor between the pipe that comes into the garage and the torch. I've read on another thread about pressure fluctuating because of not having a good quality regulator. I am looking at a regulator and just want to make sure it is good enough.

Yes your household is supplied by a existing regulator. It probably supplies your stove and water heater and furnace at a pressure of 1/4 to 1/2 psi....

If you run a second UNREGULATED line from BULK tank, it too will need a regulator! This second line could be at 5 psi and only supply your torch!....

Generally a high volume regulator will not allow a fluctuation in pressure and not be a problem.... A poorly designed supply system will have effect on volume and pressure of gas supplied to appliances and torch....

As flashback arrestor is not necessarily needed on your supply system if you are using a surface mix type of torch. The potential for a flashback is next to nothing with a surface mix torch. If you use a premix torch chances of a flash back are increases due to the construction and operational characteristic if a premix torch.

IF you choose to go with a low pressure supply (appliance pressure) its possible a flashback arrestor will not even let the fuel flow to the torch as the fuel pressure may not be enough to open the check valve assembly in flashback arrestor... A device to consider may be a "gas check" because it is designed to function and very low fuel pressures...


http://www.iigas.com/fba.htm

http://ops.dot.gov/regs/small_lp/Chapter9.htm

IN chapter 9 specifically look at figure X9. X10 & X11

http://ops.dot.gov/regs/small_lp/Chapter3.htm
http://ops.dot.gov/regs/small_lp/Chapter5.htm

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=58&cookie%5Ftest=1
And yes there is a way to read the code on line...

Dale