Connecting Concentrators

[tasminann]

Right now I have a Bobcat hooking into 2 Invacare concentrators (5 lpm, 5-6 psi) with a Y connector. That works fine for the moment, but...

...I am looking to upgrade my torch in the relatively near future (probably to a Lynx, possibly a Cheetah) and could use some extra heat/pressure. Anyway, I've been looking at two options:

1) Getting a Devibliss concentrator with a higher PSI and replacing one of my current machines (or just adding it to the current 2).

2) Getting a machine like an Integra or unlimited oxygen 1508, maybe 2010, and forget about the concentrators.

My first inclination would be to get a Devibliss, mainly because it's the less expensive route. However, I've heard that one shouldn't hook up machines of unequal psi/lpm. Is that true? Would I just be wasting money going that route?

(I do soft glass and small-medium boro if that makes a difference.) Thanks for any/all advice! :)

[Wonker]

Hi Gail,

I think everyone that does this for long runs into the problem you're discussing. If you connect two concentrators with different output pressures with a Y connector, the one with the higher output will effectively cut off the lower pressured one and that's not supposed to be good for your concentrator. I hope this helps.

[tasminann]

Thanks -- that was what I suspected but figured I had best confirm it.

[Wonker]

yeah, if it weren't for the oxygen problems, we'd all find this soooo much easier. I'm running a Mirage that can go through a K tank in a day with no sweat. (Well actually if I am cranking it, I sweat a little)... I have one of the M10 concentrator that my wife just stole from me so she can run the center fire on her RedMax. It is perfect for that, but I really prefer tanked to run my torch on. Have you looked into tanks? I get K tanks delivered to my door. There is a small delivery charge (and I do it three tanks at a time), but you can buy alot of tanked for the costs of one of those concentrators and it never breaks, never malfunctions, never gives you a warning beep...

Good luck to you.

[kbinkster]

Gail, if you are thinking about something for now for the Bobcat and something for down the road for a Lynx or Cheetah, I would suggest looking into a Regalia. A Regalia will allow you to drag everything out of that Bobcat.

It will also operate a stand-alone Lynx to about 90%. For a GTT centerfire (same as the Lynx), you would probably turn on the outerfire before you needed that top 10%.

The Regalia is also the best thing I've seen run a Cheetah. I can get a wide variety of flames, including a 1.25" - 1.5" wide boro flame with 1/2" candles (a little reducing for soft glass), a 1/2" wide driving flame with 3/8" neutral candles (great for soft glass or boro) and a great 1.5" wide soft glass flame with 1/4" candles. You can also get a really small pinner flame that comes to a point for detail work.

If the Regalia is not in your budget, and you have the room and electricity for and don't mind the noise of two machines, then I would suggest getting two DeVilbiss machines to get similar results.

Oxygen concentrators are a great alternative to tanks for some torches. The cost of tanks adds up - and tanks vary quite a bit in price from place to place and many places do not offer delivery. Tanks are also heavy to move and are just not practical for some studio locations.

[tasminann]

Thanks for the feedback, all of you. I will be staying with concentrators of one sort or another (as opposed to a generator that requires an air compressor) -- tanks are not an option for me.

Saturday I noticed that one of my current concentrators was acting a little funky -- when I turned my torch to reduce (i.e. turned down O2 knob as opposed to turning up propane), one concentrator in question really dropped lpm more than the other (I have them both set the same at 4.5 lpm). So I decided that I had best reduce by turning up the propane knob and leaving the oxygen knob alone.

Hmmm, looks like I might be looking at something new (Regalia or 2 Devibliss) sooner than anticipated.

[kbinkster]

Gail, it's o.k. for one to drop more than the other - because one machine will always be a little stronger than the other in pressure output even if they are set to the same LPM. As long as there's not a backpressure situation, it should be fine. Also, make sure that neither ever goes above 5 LPM.

[tasminann]

Thanks, Kimberly. It was just a little strange since they've always dropped in tandem before. At any rate, it didn't stop me from working -- just had to adjust how I worked. ;)

[tasminann]

And by the way, your concentrator deal is neat. Now if I can just scrape up enough to buy 2 5 liter machines this month...