flame candles vibrating

[joansown]

Today, for the first time, when I lit the natural gas and reopened the oxygen knob, the candles did not steady, but waxed and waned. I don't know how to explain it. It looks like it is cycling or vibrating with the oxycon. I have had this Respironics (M-20 non medical sticker) concentrator for nearly 3 years, but do not work very often. Is this a maintenance issue? Any help will be appreciated.
joan

[nevadaglass]

my new bravo has been doing that when I first light up. It usually goes away in 3 - 4 minutes after the torch heats up a little.
I have a 20 psi 20lpm hurricane so I am hoping the o2 isnt on the fritz since its like 1300.00 to replace it.
I also turn the O2 down a tad but I dont know what causes it. I knew what you were saying though about "vibrating"

[joansown]

Thanks for the info. It continued for about an hour and I gave up to look for information. I did clean the filter after I posted so I will see if that helps. joan

[houptdavid]

Sound like the oxycon is "breathing" turn doun the O2 a little

[periwinkle]

My torch pulses ever so slightly usually. Sometimes it is more pronounced than others. I know it has something to do with the oxycon. It seems to happen more at the beginning of a torching session. My torch (minor) even adjusts itself up and down occasionally. I've noticed this quirk about minors.

[joansown]

thanks, everyone. I will try turning the oxygen down a bit. I think the flame varies with changes in the natural gas as well. It was just something unique. Maybe everything was cold with the change in the weather. Joan

[Harry]

Interestingly, I've noticed that when I take the O2 from 5 down to 3. I never saw it at 5. Maybe my oxicon is a weirdo.

Harry

[RSimmons]

You probably need to let the oxycon run with the torch valve wide open for 10-15 minutes or so before you start working to get the sieve beds saturated. Turning down the flow from max will also help with older units.

Robert

[JEK3]

What's the frequency of the cycling (how many seconds between pulses)?

[DesertDreamer]

Do you heat your home with natgas and are you running your furnace now? I used to have a mild cycling issue in the winter, because my torch line was T'd off from my furnace line. It would only happen when the furnace first cycled up--first minute or so.

[joansown]

I have a boiler, not a furnace, and the pulsations were quick, like a heartbeat. 1-2 seconds. I haven't gone back to the torch since this discussion started, and I will laugh if it just stops. But it is very comforting that people with experience take the time to help. What a terrific resource you all are. joan

[periwinkle]

Joan, when I think about it, what Harry said seems to be what I experience. When my propane is 5psi, then no pulsing. When I turn it down for glass that requires less psi, that's when the pulsing occurs. Sometimes it's more pronounced, esp. when I first start working.