Has the regulator gone bad?

[Silver Mist Studios]

For the past several weeks, Mom has been having lots of problems with her torch. She thinks it's the regulator.
It has to be re-adjusted everytime she starts new daily as its pressure drops down to zero.
Then after a while of working, the flame will start fluxuating a lot.

Does this sound like her regulator has gone bad? She said they are like $70 to get a new one so thats why I am asking before she goes and replaces it, and then it may not be that.

[dogmaw]

I don't know, but I'd love to hear the answer. I had this problem start yesterday.

[Teague]

I think she's out of oxygen.

Teague

[Silver Mist Studios]

No she uses a concentrator.

[Dale M.]

If she suspects regulator is bad, she can probably take it into a welding supply and have it tested. If there is a problem, there is good chance it can be repaired/rebuilt for less than the cost of new regulator.

Dale M.

[MikeAurelius]

Is your mom not backing out the "T" handle to remove pressure on the regulator?

Here's the proper way to start and stop a torching session (assuming the regulator dials show zero pressure)

Open the valve on the tank.
Tighten the "T" handle until the dial guage indicates the desired pressure.

Light the torch, adjust the flame to where you want it to be.

Adjust the "T" handle until the dial guage indicates the desired pressure.

At the end of the session:

Turn off the torch.

Remove or back out the "T" handle.

Close the valve on the tank.

(being sure your ventilation system is still running)

Open the valves on the torch, but do not light the torch and allow the remaining gas to escape.

[Silver Mist Studios]

She does it all that way. But not every day.
She burns out the rest of the remaining gas. She don't just let it go into her room. She has no vent hood or anything. Just a window.

[MikeAurelius]

Ok Misty - then there's the problem. If she's not backing off the "T" handle every single time, then there is a good chance the diaphragm is damaged or blown. Diaphragms are not designed to handle an instantaneous pressure change from zero psi to set pressure. They are supposed to be "unloaded" after every use.

You mom also needs to get some proper ventilation. Even a fan in a window to blow the fumes out will at least be something.

[Silver Mist Studios]

Oh yeah she has that, the fan that is. Well not a fan, but the Wall unit AC pushes air from behind her, out of the open window in front of her.

So would it be fair to say she could do that after a daily session?
Cause her torch is turned on and of multiple times a day (I dunno if you have kids, but thats how it has to be... lol). Could she do it every night when she's done working for the day?

Also, would it be cheaper to get it repaired with a new diaphragm? or have to get an all new one? If we have to buy an all new one, who has the best prices?

Oh yeah and by burning out the gas is that ok?